InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Basio Lupus ❯ Rendezvous ( Chapter 1 )

A/N : Yes, well. I was distracted. You have bikutoria (www.fanfiction.net/~bikutoria) to thank for this spur of inspiration. This came to me while I was working on the second chapter of, "Playing With Matches." Some scenes in this chapter were heavily influenced by the novel, "Breathing Room" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, which I've read quite long ago. It's a very good book, so check it out. Feedback is always, always wanted.

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Basio Lupus

Rating: R. Please take the warning seriously.

Disclaimer: I don't own, you don't sue.

By L. Penguin

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01. Rendezvous

The thing you desire most, is the thing you can't control.

~*~

The night Kagome met her first werewolf, she felt him first rather than saw him.

Nighttime in Florence, Italy was beautiful. Especially with clear skies, warm atmosphere, and the comforting drawl of the city's sounds. Kagome had chosen to sit at a cafe, and research for her mythology paper there instead of being cramped inside of a library. She had known that it was getting a little too late, and only the insomniacs and working girls were wandering around. Kagome was determined to finish her paper in time.

The tale of the werewolf originated in Germany, where a massive killing of the wolf also began. The existence of werewolves are still believed to this day, and several accounts have been made by people who have encountered them. Wolf by day, they can turn into a human by moonlight.

Kagome rolled her eyes. Werewolves. She snorted, giggled softly, and leaned back on her chair to stretch out her limbs. If werewolves still existed today, something that her eccentric professor seemed to believe, then why should they remain in hiding? Kagome closed her book and tapped her fingers together thoughtfully. If they were as powerful as the books predicted, then shouldn't they roam the world freely and do whatever the hell they wanted? Well, if they do decide to roam, Kagome hoped they wouldn't roam here. She laughed at the thought.

The city was beautiful. Alive. Kagome had been hesitant at first about pursuing a major in history and mythology, but she made a daring leap and loved it ever since. The decision was also followed by another decision: in order to fully understand other cultures, she had to travel around the world. But when she arrived in Florence, Kagome found that she couldn't leave. Something about the city beckoned her, drew her in. And even though the classes were a bit hard to believe, Kagome loved learning about the beliefs and cultures of other countries. No matter how different it was from hers.

Glancing at her topic, Kagome frowned and flipped through the pages until finally she saw "Mating." Her professor sure knew how to pick a research topic. Did werewolves mate... with humans? Other wolves? Or if they... Kagome shook her head and read the passage. "Like wolves that humans know about today, they mark what is theirs. Including their mate. Wolves usually take one mate for life, and usually never mate again should a mate dies. Werewolves generally follow the same principle, but can have a multiple of sex partners before they finally find a mate. Kagome blushed. So... they mated for life, but were players before settling down. Sort of like men, Kagome thought to herself in amusement. The next passage, however, made a chill run down her spine.

"On a hunt, werewolves usually prowl for beautiful beings. The kiss of a werewolf is known to be able to steal your soul, and steal your breath away. If they decide to make you one of their 'servants', a werewolf will take you back to his or her den, where you won't be accepted by the pack because of the unfamiliarity. You will become nothing but sex slave for the wolf, and usually it is the alpha male or female who gets the prize of a slave. Kagome shivered. That was a bit harsh, wasn't it? Being used and thrown away like that? Kagome shook her head. It wasn't as if they existed, Kagome reminded herself.

Kagome had spent years reading mythology and researching them, and she'd always been able to hold on to the belief that none of them were real. But maybe she was just reading too much into this, Kagome decided. Werewolves just didn't exist. At the same time Kagome had made up her mind that werewolves didn't exist, she heard several peals of laughter.

Accustomed to such noise, Kagome went about her work. Something was different, though. She suddenly felt a little hot, a little feverish, and felt the urge to turn around. Upon doing so, she saw a man casually walking towards the cafe. He had long, sleek raven hair, and his walk was casual, rippling with grace and prowess. Kagome had no doubt that beneath his exquisitely tailored suit, the man had a powerful body. Kagome blushed. Such thoughts had never entered her mind before. Shaking her head, Kagome returned her attention to her book as he arrived and sat down at a desolate table.

She secretly watched him as he flirted with the waitress shamelessly, watched her blush and fumble for a pen and a pad of paper. After the waitress left, the man leaned back in his chair comfortably and raked long, tapered fingers through his hair. Then, he looked straight at Kagome. Blushing in embarrassment, Kagome buried her nose into the book and pretended to be thoroughly engrossed in it. The effect he had on her was astonishing, and she'd never felt attraction this way before. There was something about him, an aura of grace and power that she couldn't resist.

It was something untamed.

~*~

Kouga watched the girl with amusement. Interesting book she was reading, he noted. Werewolves. He almost wanted to laugh. Almost all the books were wrong, and even if the humans had any inkling as to what werewolves were all about, they usually exaggerated everything. She had blushed deeply and looked away in embarrassment when he looked at her, telling her that he knew she was watching him. It wasn't unusual.

Women usually fell over themselves to please him, and most of the time, while hunting, one or two would willingly follow him. Tonight would be no different, he thought to himself. As the alpha male of his pack, he had to resort to the nighttime for hunting. Preferring his wolf form than his human form, Kouga found that preying on beautiful women was getting to be a little dull. But he couldn't risk hunting for himself during the daytime. His pack needed food, and Kouga could not risk any member of the pack. Most were too young. Or too old. The elders as well as the young depended on him for food.

Especially now that the cubs were disappearing mysteriously. Kouga growled softly and cursed beneath his breath. Rumors were spreading among the pack that he wasn't a capable leader, and he couldn't blame them. There were many a night where he had gone without replenishing himself, trying to protect the cubs. It seemed to work, if only for awhile. Pretty soon, disappearances were happening again, and Kouga had no way of stopping it.

Decades ago, Kouga would've never thought of hunting without his pack. But the humans were growing more powerful and crueler by the day, and he just couldn't risk anymore wolves. Kouga was one of the very few that was young, powerful, and equipped with killer instincts. Literally. That placed him in charge, and before he knew it, Kouga was the Alpha male. After hunting for the pack, he was usually hungry afterwards and drank from the first woman he saw. Without his wolf form, Kouga denied himself of meat. He just couldn't bring himself to indulge in human flesh.

The women he usually found were voluptuous, curvy, and more than willing to please him. Kouga soon found that an easy meal soon grew boring. Sometimes, he would take two or more, and that seemed to satisfy his appetite. He grew bored of that as well. The elders told him that he needed a mate soon, an alpha female. Kouga scoffed. He didn't need anyone. He never did. As a witness to his parents' murder, Kouga had sworn never to get close to anyone. They were betrayed by a close friend. One that Kouga had killed immediately afterwards.

The girl sitting in the far table was getting uneasy now, Kouga noted. He grinned. How very cute. She wasn't very beautiful, but she was certainly pretty. Her face, which he had caught a quick glimpse at before she had buried it in her book, was interesting to look at. Soft features, and cupid's lips, the girl possessed an innocent and clean aura about her. Kouga ran his tongue along his canines. Innocent... the girl had never been with a man before. There was no scent of a man upon her. Kouga smiled slowly.

Well, all that would have to change, wouldn't it?

~*~

Kagome found herself struggling for air as the strange man grinned at her. What was happening to her? She was never one to swoon for some gorgeous stranger in the milddle of the night! Not that it ever happened, anyway. Kagome took in a deep breath and read the next sentence on werewolf mating: "The ritual is usually very powerful both emotionally and physically, and the male wolf will--" Kagome blushed and closed her book quickly. Too much information could be a bad thing, she decided. Unable to control herself, she glanced quickly over to the man.

--But he wasn't there.

"Bella..." A voice purred into her ear.

Kagome froze, dropping her book with a soundly thud to the floor. How did he move so fast? She had barely taken her eyes off of him, and he was already standing next to her. Chuckling, the man leaned down and picked the book from the floor. " Lei fa cadere il libro?*"

"Er-- thank you," Kagome nearly squeaked.

"Lei sono solo?*"

Kagome looked around as if looking to see if anybody was watching them. He remained kneeling next to her, his powerful body effectively blocking her escape. Kouga watched in amusement as she squirmed and nibbled her lower lip. "Uhm, actually... I'm waiting for a friend."

Kouga grinned. She was lying, but he didn't care. Even if a friend was coming, he had chosen. He wanted her tonight. A soft breeze blew, and he watched as it played with the wispy strands of her hair. The way she was nibbling on her lip was getting to be a little frustrating, Kouga decided. Soon, it will be he who would nibble those pair of lips. It would be dawn soon, and he had to have her now.

"È venito con me*," he said, extending a hand towards her.

"Uhm... no, I don't think so, buddy," Kagome told him firmly. Kouga laughed.

Leaning into her, Kouga tipped her chin upward with two gentle fingers and forced her to stare directly into his eyes. "Adesso*."

Kagome gasped. His eyes... swirls of pale blue. The low, demanding tone of his voice. Kagome found it a little hard to breathe. Something, in the far outreaches of her mind, Kagome fleetingly thought about wolves and how they showed their dominance by directly staring into another's eyes. His eyes reminded her of something feral, and found that she couldn't resist. Before she had a chance to think, a chance to breathe, all she could think about was coming with him like he wanted.

Putting her small hand in the stranger's, she let him lead her away. Then, it was all a blur. She had the vague sense that they were going somewhere among the outskirts of the city, and that they were moving too fast. It was just a whirl of colors and senses. Kagome remembered smelling something purely masculine, being pressed against a warm body as they moved through the city. She remembered trying to clear her head, trying to remember where she was and what she was doing.

Kagome found that she could not break the spell.

Kagome vaguely noted a stone house, a quaint and charming one. Inside, it smelt like sandalwood mixed together in the fresh scent of the night air, which amazed Kagome. She didn't know that night had a distinct scent. Before she could collect herself, Kagome's senses were completely assaulted as a warm pair of lips were crushed to hers, and a strong body pressing her to a wall.

"Perfetto," came a low growl. Kagome moaned.

It was inexplicable. It was just sensations. Hot and feverish. His warm hands settled upon her hips and lifted her against him, and Kagome felt for the first time, a man's desire. Gasping into his mouth, Kagome provided entrance for his tongue as he tortured her slowly, luxuriously. But it frustrated the hell out of her. Bunching his hair in her hands, Kagome undid the clasp that held his sleek mane together, and watched in a dazed fascination as the raven strands fell loose. He groaned and pressed himself hard against her. Kagome squeezed her eyes shut and whimpered.

"Shhh, mio caro," he purred, caressing her back.

Lifting her effortlessly, he carried her towards a room. Kagome buried her nose into his neck, and bit back a sob. He smelt faintly of fresh rain, and sunshine. And he felt so damn good.

But..what... what was she doing?

Kagome groaned and lifted a hand to her throbbing head. His command was still sharp in her mind, and Kagome admitted that this was exciting her more than it frightened her. She closed her eyes and tried to think. This was all wrong, she scolded herself. "You don't know this man. Tell him to stop and let you go." But her body rebelled as he placed her gently on top of a massive, mahogany bed. Soon, his hands were everywhere, expertly tracing every curve. He liked her body; breasts that felt supple in his hands, a waist that was not too tiny, and shapely legs that weren't long, but looked enticing nonetheless.

Dawn was approaching, but Kouga could barely hold on to his control. Never had a woman excited him as she did. She looked up at him, her gray eyes dazed. For a moment, Kouga wasn't sure whether he wanted to ruin her innocence anymore.

"Kagome," she suddenly whispered, "my...my name is Kagome."

He took her hands into his and kissed each knuckle gently. "Kouga." Kouga was stunned. Never had he freely given his name to a woman before, if ever. What amazed him the most was that she had broken his hold over her. Covering her body with his, Kouga murmured, "rilassare."

"No," she said, this time more firmly. "I... I don't know you. I don't want this."

Kouga looked at her strangely. Then, he sniffed her. She froze and watched him in horror as his nose touched the crook of her neck, and trailed down to the opening of her shirt. Deftly, he removed several buttons, and he was soon buried between her chest. Kagome gasped, "What are you doing?"

"Silenzio!" He commanded.

"No, really," she said with a little push, "I have to be going. It's already morning, and I haven't slept..." Kagome continued to babble on as Kouga sniffed her. Finally, he stopped and lifted his head to meet her horrified gaze.

".... It's morning?"

Kagome blinked. "You... can speak Japanese?"

He scowled. "Look at me. Tell me what you see." Kouga looked at her anxiously. It was morning, and he should've transformed back into his wolf form by now. Cursing underneath his breath, Kouga berated himself for not keeping track of time more carefully. He'd never been so needy before, so completely thrilled by a woman before. She was no ordinary woman, Kouga corrected himself, something was wrong. This woman--or Kagome, simply stared at him in confusion.

"Kagome," he growled, "tell me what you see."

Kagome blushed. Tall, dark handsome guy? "....ergh, eyes..."

Kouga swore viciously underneath his breath. Kagome flinched at his sudden behavior and said, "Please... let me go. I... this is a mistake." And it was. She had no idea how she got here besides vague, swirling emotions. The sudden realization that she was in bed with a stranger made a chill run down her spine. What was she doing? Where was she? Who was he? Kouga... was that what he said his name was? Putting a hand on his shoulder, Kagome cleared her throat.

"K...Kouga..."

Kouga immediately removed himself from her, and started to pace the room. Then, he looked at her. "You're human... correct?" Kagome looked at him incredulously. "Aren't you?"

She nodded slowly and said, ".... Erm, yes... just like you..."

Kouga snorted and grinned, flashing his fangs. "That's where you're wrong."

Kagome laughed nervously. Just great. Not only was she trapped in God knows where with a stranger, she just happened to be trapped with a deranged stranger. Who happened to kiss really, really well. "Uhm. Ha. That's very nice, Kouga, but may I... err, may I leave?"

"No."

Okay, now was the time to panic. Pushing herself off the bed, Kagome started for the door, but he was faster. "Please, Kagome. Don't leave."

She looked at him helplessly. "I--I can't. Can't you see this is wrong?"

Kouga remained silent. If he kept her here, it would be futile to try and get any information out of her. She was on the brink of hysteria. If he let her leave, Kouga decided that he could always follow her and keep a careful eye on the girl. "Very well, you're free to leave."

"Really?"

Kouga nodded.

Kagome nibbled her lower lip and smiled sheepishly. "Um. Where am I?"

"There should be a bus station a few blocks down," he told her. Then, with a boyish grin he said, "don't believe everything the book tells you."

Kagome nodded briskly and left as quickly as possible. Kouga doubted that she even heard him.

~*~

It wasn't hard to track her.

Her scent was imprinted in his mind. So was the rest of her. Kouga watched her from a distance, watched her as she dazedly stepped onto the bus back to the center of Florence. It felt weird to be human during the day. Foreign. It had never happened before, and Kouga had thought it impossible. He'd have to ask the elders and hope that they don't shun him from the pack. Pulling the hat low over his eyes, Kouga stepped on to the bus as well, and made sure to sit as far away from Kagome as possible. Kouga closed his eyes. The girl was something else; something he'd never experience before.

She had been able to break his hold on her, and come to her senses. That didn't mean that she wasn't willing before, Kouga thought to himself indignantly. He'd never been spurned before by a woman before, and they had always accepted his dominance. Kagome had a will he'd never seen before. But she could be dangerous as well, he realized. He remembered the book she was reading. No doubt it was probably for research and pure coincidence, but Kouga shivered at the irony of the situation. She didn't know that he was a werewolf. Kagome merely thought that he was something different. Maybe she just thought he was crazy.

The bus stopped and he waited until she climbed out first, then trailed behind. When she rounded a corner, Kouga used his strong legs to leap onto a roof. It was part of the immortal, werewolf deal. Kouga smirked. Crouching down very low, he followed her every step. "Very nice, you've become a stalker," he muttered to himself. He watched as Kagome enter the same cafe as last night, and talk to a waitress there. A quick exchange was made, and the waitress walked back inside.

He saw how she forced a cheerful smile as the waitress came back out and handed her a book. It was the book that she had left behind when Kouga commanded that she came with him. Kouga smiled. Poor girl.

If she wanted to know more about werewolves, Kouga thought to himself in amusement, he'd be more than willing to teach her.

~*~

Kagome thanked the waitress and quickly walked away. Feeling exhausted and utterly confused, she proceeded in the direction of her house. Classes started in the afternoons until evening, but Kagome was too tired. She toyed with the idea of just staying at home and skipping school for a day. It was purely justified, she told herself. That encounter had nearly sapped all the energy from her, and the strange excitement that she still felt was all that kept her from collapsing right there and then.

Kouga.... who was he? He had implied that he wasn't human, and Kagome wasn't sure if it was a lie anymore. There was something in the way he walked that seemed unlike that of a predator, and his strange eyes... exotically blue, and Kagome was pretty sure that he was Japanese. Clutching the "Werewolves" book to her chest, Kagome rubbed her temples with one hand. What was she thinking, going with a stranger like that? She was raised better than that.

But there was something irresistible about him that made it feel alright. Made it compelling. Kagome shook her head. No, that's wrong. It was almost as if it was going with him was the most important thing. His command was sharp and urgent, and Kagome noted that he had a killer baritone. Kagome blushed. She had almost let him do anything to her, anything at all, and she would've succumbed. Such a man surely had dozens of women, Kagome thought to herself. She herself was very plain and led a boring life; he was sure to leave her alone. Perhaps he was just lonely last night, she thought.

Sometimes... people had a right to be lonely. Hell, she'd gone through twenty-four years of her life without ever finding a first love. She had her family, and Kagome felt that that had been enough. It was. Until she started to travel, and could only send letters once in awhile. Kagome soon found out what being lonely was like, and also found out that she didn't like it one bit.

With a little sigh, she unlocked the door to her house and pushed the door open. Before going inside, though, Kagome stopped abruptly. Was it just her... or was someone watching her? Feeling the hairs on her neck tingle, Kagome turned around cautiously and peered about. Nobody was there, save for a few children playing in the streets across from her house. She shook her head and muttered, "Kagome, forget it. Be glad it's over, and just move on."

From a distance, however, Kouga leapt effortlessly from a tiled roof and grinned wolfishly.

~*~

A/N~ Hope you liked it, and comment as you please. ^_^ Sango, Shippou, and Miroku will appear next chapter. Whether Inuyasha will make an appearance or not, that's for you to find out. =X

Words

I tried my best with what little I know of the Italian language, so if I made any errors, I'm so very sorry. Please tell me right away, and I'll correct them.

Bella ~ Beautiful

Lei sono solo ~ Are you alone?

Lei fa cadere il libro ~ You dropped your book

E venito con me ~ Come with me.

Adesso ~ Now

Perfetto ~ Perfect

Mio Caro ~ My dear

Kagome: Kouga?

Kouga: Yes! There is a god!

L.P: Yes, and her name is Lady Penguin. XD

Oh, that hussy. Now she wants to advertise! XD Please check out Bikutoria's "Faking It". It's ridiculously so good, and it's only at the second chapter. Her link is: www.fanfiction.net/~bikutoria