InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Demon Should Act Like A Demon ❯ Insecurities ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and friends were created and lovingly brought to life by Rumiko Takahashi.

A/N: Sorry for the delay. I had to revise the outlines for the rest of the story because the characters ran away with the story in a BIG way, and I also got enamored with Gundam Wing and may be writing fan fics for that too. :) Anyways, this is dedicated to Lea and Magor. Thank you for waiting! _^,,^_

A/N 2: I've also included excerpts from the song "Irrisistible." It's a beautiful song performed by The Corrs and they co-wrote it with Mutt Lange.

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A Demon Should Act Like A Demon

By Ericedwyn

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Chapter Fifteen: Insecurities

~* On the outskirts of Sesshoumaru's Fortress *~

Kagome grimaced at the acrid smell of the greenish poison spewing from her clawed fingers as it consumed the remains of dried old leaves on the ground before her. 'This is gross. I can't believe this is coming out of my fingers.'

"Kagome, come here."

Kagome looked up from the ground to where Sesshoumaru stood near some bushes. She stopped the flow of the poison from her fingers and shook the residuals off of her fingers before trekking towards the Taiyoukai.

Sesshoumaru gazed lazily at the approaching woman and admired the way her new attire hugged her figure. He recalled the heated "discussion" they had regarding the design, in particularly, how he found the glint of anger in her eyes positively arousing. He was initially very much opposed to the idea of Kagome wearing an attire similar to her taijiya friend, but watching her in her new outfit, he had to admit that the design they "compromised" on proved acceptable.

His golden eyes raked over the stretchy black material that covered Kagome completely up to ankles, wrists, and neck. Kagome insisted on all black, which surprised the Demon Lord at first. He recalled that her explanation had mentioned something about a "neko woman" from a moving picture from her time called "Bat Man." Black hide boots complemented the attire and reached up just below her knees. His addition, for propriety's sake, was the dark blue long-sleeved happi that covered her torso, arms, and hips. He had, of course, wanted the happi to be much longer, but in the end of the two-hour "discussion", he had acquiesced to its length.

Kagome blushed at the heat of Sesshoumaru's intense stare as she stopped beside him. "Hai?" She asked questioningly.

Sesshoumaru, after a few seconds, diverted his eyes to point at the bushes. "Try dokkasou on that."

Kagome bent down a little to look at where he pointed and saw a small wild rabbit looking up at her with black glinty eyes. She straightened and looked up in horror. "I can't do that."

A slight frown briefly appeared on Sesshoumaru's stoic face, but disappeared just as quickly. "Why ever not?"

"Sesshoumaru, it's alive." Kagome replied quietly, shaking her head from side to side. "I can't…"

Sesshoumaru nodded and nudged the rabbit in front of him before crushing the neck with the bottom of his boot. The cracking of tiny bones sounded loud in Kagome's ears.

Kagome looked at the still body of the animal in front of her boots in horror. "Sesshoumaru… How could you?" Kagome said in a strangled cry.

Sesshoumaru firmly grabbed her wrist to position her hand over the rabbit. "Kagome… I understand that my methods may seem harsh in your eyes, but this world is full of youkai who will not hesitate to kill. You should know this from past experience. Now, dokkasou."

Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat as she allowed the poison to drip from her fingers. Even when she looked down, she couldn't see through the thick blanket of unshed tears. She felt the bile rise up as the smell of burning flesh intensified, and when it stung the back of her throat, she snatched her hand back from the Taiyoukai's grip and ran away.

She barely heard him call her name, the sound of blood pumping so loud in her ears. She just had to get away. Instinctually, almost unconsciously, youki swirled around her and brought her high in the sky, to escape the burning, acrid smell… and to escape the feeling of confusion and helplessness that now sat heavily on her heart.

Sesshoumaru watched the Miko execute the perfect flight. He noted, relieved, that at least instinctually, Kagome could escape if she felt the need to. Yet, as relieved as he was, he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness and confusion that began to eat at him. Why did she cry? Had he hurt her? Had he gone too far? Had he scared her?

~*~*~*~

Kagome wiped the wetness from her face before landing in front of the entrance of the fortress. She slipped inside to the front hall before making her way to her chamber

"Kagome-sama, Daijobou desu ka?" Tsumi asked as she rounded a corner. She frowned as she smelled tears on her.

"Hai, Tsumi-san. It is nothing." Kagome turned slightly to give the Hanyou a slight smile.

The Hanyou bowed before responding. "I am sorry for not being available to you these last few days."

"I understand. Sesshoumaru-sama told me you were doing some very important work for him." Kagome's smile reached her blue eyes.

"Hai. Perhaps you would like to see what it is…" Tsumi handed Kagome a folded piece of parchment.

Kagome unfolded the parchment and read the contents. She gasped and glanced at Tsumi with wide eyes. "Sesshoumaru-sama has named me his…his…"

"Hai, Kagome. He has named you his heir." Tsumi watched her reaction closely.

"But why would he do that?"

"It was prompted by Inuyasha's death. I suppose he felt that he should make someone he trusted as his heir rather than choosing one of his relations."

"I would think he would choose his family over a stranger turned youkai, Tsumi-san. It should be family."

"He must feel like you are family to him, My Lady." Tsumi smiled widely. "Besides I am glad he chose you. His distant relatives, on both sides, are all untrustworthy lot, who did nothing but try to take the brothers' legacy since InuTaisho-sama's death. Nearly half the battles Sesshoumaru-sama fought were to protect his territories from their greed, Kagome."

"That's sad, Tsumi-san." Kagome frowned as she refolded the parchment before handing it back to Tsumi.

"Hai, Kagome-sama. Is there anything I can do for you before I check on the children?" Tsumi inclined her head to one side in question.

"Iie, Tsumi-san. Arigatou." Kagome smiled warmly.

Tsumi bowed before continuing on her way.

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Sesshoumaru entered the library shortly after the earlier incident. He spotted the drawings and papers on the ground, and bent down on one knee to look at a drawing of him and Kagome kissing. 'Have we an audience?' He mused.

He espied the unfinished master copy of the story he read a few days before amongst the drawings and picked it up. He noticed a second page on the ground and drew it in his fingers to read its contents.

~* Addition to Shippou and Rin's Story, second page *~

Tail told the Ousama's daughter that his Okaasan's heart broke when his Otousan died. That was before they came to live in the castle. But the Ousama had been good to him and his Okaasan, and Tail started to see that his Okaasan was learning to love again. Tail was very happy about that.

~* The not so ending of Shippou's and Rin's Story *~

The Taiyoukai looked thoughtful after reading the story, and for a moment, he just stared at the contents. He laid down the paper after a while, and placed a small strip of blank parchment in front of him. He picked up the brush, dipped the end in ink, and began to scribble.

But the Ousama didn't know how to tell or show the Hime just how much he cared. He's afraid that he will drive her away or that she won't care for him in the same way. He hopes she will love him one day.

He replaced the brush on the ink stone's stand before standing, and moved towards one of the library's many shelves. The Taiyoukai retrieved an ancient scroll before leaving the library.

Tsumi and the children entered the library a few minutes later and while the children busied themselves with a new drawing, the Hanyou noticed Sesshoumaru's elegant kanji script on a piece of parchment. She picked it up, read the contents, and a small smile curved on her lips. She handed the parchment to Rin, who in turn handed it to Shippou.

"Looks like a new addition to your story, my dears." Tsumi said softly as the children read the contents.

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Kagome finally vacated her room and went to the kitchen for some snacks. After thanking the cook, she went to the library with the treats in search of the children.

"Kagome-oneechan!" Rin stood up excitedly and ran to her side. She took Kagome's hand in her smaller one and dragged her to their workspace on the floor.

"Hi, Rin-chan, Shippou-chan!" Kagome grinned as she knelt on the floor. "I brought you some mochi treats."

"Arigatou, Okaasan." Shippou grinned widely showing off his little fangs, before fishing one of the mochi to stuff in his mouth.

"Careful, Shippou-chan. You might choke." Kagome warned as she brushed her fingers over his overstuffed cheek. "Hmmpfff," was the kitsune's only response.

Kagome giggled and offered mochi to Rin, who leaned in to take a bite. Kagome smiled and continued to feed the little girl until her fingers were sticky-free.

"Would you like to read the story we're working on, Kagome-oneechan?" Rin looked up with pleading eyes.

"Hai, Rin-chan. I would love to." Kagome smiled as she took the parchment the little girl offered. Kagome settled Rin on her lap, placed a kiss on top of her head, before taking the parchment in both hands to read it.

Shippou smiled as he looked at Kagome and Rin. He took a blank parchment and some crayons and began to draw the sight before him.

As Kagome began to read, she started to wonder about the story. It sounded faintly familiar, especially the part about the "mean, yucky toad." When she read the part about how lonely the Ousama was, she wondered just how lonely Sesshoumaru has been.

She smiled as she read about "Tail" and the Ousama's daughter's new oneechan. She blushed when she read about how the Ousama began to smile when no one was around. 'Has he really?' She thought excitedly, her heart began to pound faster in her chest.

When she reached the part about the daughter wishing for the Hime to be her new Okaasan, Kagome eyes began to brim with unshed tears and she had to bite her lower lip to keep them from falling. She laid her chin on the top of the little girl's head and thought about how she missedher mom. She glanced at Shippou as he colored the hair of her image with a black crayon, and felt an overwhelming sadness when she thought about how he must have felt when he lost his parents. She also knew that Rin had been orphaned too. 'Oh, Kami-sama, how they must have felt. Help me make them happy, onegai.' Kagome hugged the little girl in front of her as she closed her eyes to get a hold of herself. The Miko forced herself not to cry in front of the children, and took a deep breath before opening her eyes to continue to read the story.

If there was any doubt that the story did not follow her life, the story about her battle with the "bad youkai" squelched it, but she frowned when she reached the part about the Ousama loving the Hime and wanting her to be his mate. In the back of Kagome's mind, she wasn't sure about that. She felt the children misunderstood the Taiyoukai. 'He cares, I think. I don't know if he can love me.' Again she felt tears collect in her eyes. 'One day, he'll want to mate…' Kagome closed her eyes, disbelieving that maybe the Ousama would really want to take the Hime to mate.

Rin turned in Kagome's arms to look at the young woman, and placed her small hand on cheek. Kagome opened her eyes and smiled at Rin as she switched the pages of parchment in her hands. She neither felt nor noticed a strip of parchment escape from between the two bigger sheets. It floated down and landed with its contents facing the floor unnoticed by all the occupants in the room.

She read the contents of the second page and smiled as her eyes fell on her cub who sat waiting for her to finish. The cub held up the drawing he made of Kagome and Rin and she exclaimed at the details. She grinned as the kitsune blushed.

Kagome reached for Shippou and took him in her arms as she hugged the children to her. "I love your story." She began to say, and this time she couldn't stop the tears that slowly fell down her cheeks. "I love you, Rin-chan, and I love you, Shippou-chan." As her throat constricted, she hugged the children tighter to her.

"Why are you crying, Okaasan?" Shippou asked as he stood on her lap, still in her arms. Kagome shook her head and continued to hold them tightly, unable to share what's in her heart.

Outside the library, the Master of the fortress watched the occupants of the room through the slightly open door, keeping to the shadows with his presence masked.

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Sesshoumaru quietly slid the connecting door open to Kagome's bedchamber. Kagome had avoided him the rest of the day and even had her dinner in her room. He took a few steps inside of the room, enough so that he could watch her sleep. Kagome slumbered with an arm each around Rin and Shippou on other side of her on the bed. He had hoped to sleep with her in his arms this night. After a few minutes, he left through the connecting door and made his way outside of the fortress.

Don't want you for the weekend

Don't want you for a day

Don't need a love divided

Don't want to feel this way

He took a few deep breaths of the crisp night air, but he could not shake the restlessness and confusion he felt. 'She read the story, does she not know I care about her? Did I really scare her this morning?'

See I want you to need me (The way I need you)

Just like I need you (The way that I see you)

And I want you to see me

Like no one before

'Why are you avoiding me, Kagome?' Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and tipped his head back, a slight frown marred his face. He growled exasperatedly and ran from the fortress, slowly transforming into his true youkai form. Under the moonlight, the huge white dog ran like the wind.

So can't you see I'm tortured

Oh can't you hear my pain

And just as quickly, the white hound stopped as his paws pounded the earth. The dog lowered its head before snapping up to howl… a sad, heart-wrenching sound disturbing the quiet of night.

In the fortress, a young woman woke to the sound of the strangled cry…

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Glossary: (For new Japanese terms only. Please see the previous chapters for other terms used in this chapter).

Happi - short overcoat or robe

Neko - cat

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Next chapter summary teaser: Kagome is presented to the Youkai Court. Both the Demon Lord of the North and his little brother want Kagome for himself. What does Sesshoumaru have to say about that?

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Responses to reviews: Arigatou gozaimasu, minna-san. I really appreciate you taking the time to review my work! _^,,^_

E-mail reviews:

Arigatou Blujay18 and Bronie Bite!

MM.org reviews:

Shadypony: Arigatou for your review. I think both Rin and Shippou are so kawaii, and need more exposure! Poor Inu, he really does have a big heart, ne?

Kainu1329: The action will come! I swear it! It's gonna be worth it… and the chapter before it too!

Magor: Arigatou, Magor! I took a little break to rework the outlines for the rest of the story. I hope you will keep enjoying it! Here's the next chapter!

Duo no Tsuin: Arigatou for your reviews! Wow, I still can't believe the reviews I am getting for my story. It really makes my heart so full! Ya know, I don't think Kagome really meant to dream of dead Inuyasha when she was with live Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha kind of invaded her dream. You should write your Inuyasha story though. I would love to read it. Inuyasha does have a big heart, doesn't he? You'll see more of that in a later chapter. ::grins:: As I recall, Kagome fell a lot in the last chapter, LOL. What that in 101 Dalmatians? Wow, don't remember that! Cool!

Faye: Thank you, Faye. I really, truly appreciate your review!

Lea: I dedicated this chapter to you because of your review. Sorry I'm so late. I also had difficulties navigating both ff.net and mm.org. The sites seem to be having a lot of downtime. Wow… I didn't know my story can induce dreams like that. I mean, it can't be that bad. You're dreaming of hot, sexy Sesshoumaru!! Heck, I wanna have that problem! LOL

Inu-Libby: ::giggles:: Thanks! Kikyou missed hell by about an inch! But she's stuck in the "waiting room" for centuries though. I think she's by herself right now.

Laya: I really appreciate your review. I really am surprised by the wonderful reviews I am getting. I am overwhelmed. Thank you for letting your friends know about my story! I hope you liked this next chapter! Sorry for the wait!

Kilala36: Whoa! 300% WOW! Thank you, thank you!

Rkanna: It's so overwhelming when reviewers say they are addicted to my stories. I become so speechless. ::sniffs:: Thank you. Your review made my day. I'm glad you like where the story is heading. I truly hope you continue to enjoy my story.

FF.net reviews:

Kishi: The characters ran away with the story, and I had to slow it down a bit. I hope you don't mind. Shippou and Rin are great. They are essential characters in my story. Hope you continue to love my story. Arigatou!

SOS(): Here's more. Hope you enjoy! :)

Reality: Arigatou! Thank you for letting Sesshoumaru go! LOL You can have him back after the story… well, maybe…

Priscilla: Arigatou. The hardest part about writing in so many characters is keeping them in character. I felt it necessary to write more about the wish now because of the growing closeness between the two main chars. Originally, I meant to expose the wish much further in the story. The last two chapters threw me off of my original story path and had to revise it.

Cecilia: Thanks. MM.org is another fan fiction site that I post my stories. It stands for www.mediaminer.org.

Ying-lin Hu: Arigatou. I will check out your next chapter soon. I have been out of the loop for some time. Hope you liked this chapter.

Angelike Riddle: Rin and Shippou are! But aren't they just adorable???

Midnightlight(): Arigatou! Don't we all wish we were paired up with Sess. ::sighs:: He also has better hair!

Lilfrozenfire: Hope you liked this chapter!

CTCandInuyasha60516: I don't know… one day I woke up and saw the story in my head… but the chars got a hold of my idea and morphed it… so I had to take some time to slow things down a bit. You know Kagome and Sesshoumaru… their hormones are just running too rampart for me! LOL

Melinda: LOL I couldn't help writing in that part. I just had to! Sess made me do it. I really appreciate your support. WOW, I have an enforcer! ::giggles:: I hope you continue to enjoy my story!

Lilcherryblossom: Arigatou for your review! I appreciate you reading my story even though you are not fond of this pairing. I think that's cool!

Inukamisashi(): Thank you. Yes, there are more chapters to come! Hope you continue to enjoy!

Tenshineko: ::Grins:: I really appreciate you continuing to read my story even though you love Inu/Kag. I will be writing a song fic soon with Kagome and Inuyasha, and more fics with different pairings.

Me..(): Inuyasha is instrumental to my story and may even spur a sequel. :) Sess will get his arm back and Kagome will learn how to fly. More will be revealed as the story progresses. Thanks!

Dark Pristess: Thank you! Inuyasha won't be alone. I have plans for him!

CTCandInu65: Thanks, CTC. Oh no! No monkies!! No haunting my dreams, PLEASE! ACK, no fish slapping! Nooooooooooo!

Unknowncritic: I'll try to keep the Japanese words to a minimum. Thanks for your review!

Ms.Pan Son: Arigatou. Will try.

Keito(): Thanks. I try to write as much details as I can. Sess is HOT!

Riinuka: Arigatou. Will check out your story soon.

Chenjen: Sorry for being so late ::cries:: I'll try to update soon!

Inu-Tsuki44: LOL. Thanks! ::giggles::

Eden: Arigatou for all your reviews! I really appreciate that you've picked up on some of the little things I had to write in my story like the tail bit. Miroku and Sango will have more fluff later too. Kagome was still changing during that time. She is a full demon and will eventually learn how to transform into her full youkai form. I like fluff too and hopefully, you will continue to enjoy my story. :)

Akiko_Kyoko(): Thank you! _^,,^_

Sesshy: ::grins:: Many of the chapters and the ending were set from the beginning, and the only one who knows the ending so far is my little sister. I locked them and I threw away the key. I think, without giving away the plot, that many reviewers will be surprised by the ending while many will say "I knew it." I hope you continue to enjoy my little story to its completion!

Unknown critc(): Yes. I just took a little break! ::grins:: Enjoy!