InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beneath the Skin ❯ Of Kittens and Puppies ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: Hello! This is our very first collaboration...and the very first time either of us is writing an AU story for Inu-Kag. Constructive feedback is totally welcome, in fact, we're begging for it! So please, let us know what you think! Can't wait to hear from you!

Scherezade & Youkai Musashi (jesse_ryuu@hotmail.com)

Oh and Inu and the gang do not belong to us! Only to Rumiko Takahashi.

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`God, how did this happen? What am I doing?' The rational part of Kagome's mind was screaming at her but the rest of her was almost too far gone to even notice the warning voice dwindle away. She was lost. She was on fire. Her wrists were gripped in one of his strong hands as she found herself pinned between his hard body and the wall behind her. His other hand held her chin firmly as his hot mouth ravaged hers.

Kagome whimpered. She had never been kissed like this before. No, this was much more than a kiss. His lips and tongue were lethal weapons against her rationality, against her sanity. Any desire she had to stop him…to stop…this had faded and left a blinding need to hold him…to bring his body even closer to hers. Kagome whimpered again, trying to free her hands and in a desperate attempt to do so, ended up arching her chest into his. The heat of his body - god, the sensation of her breasts pressing into his firmly muscled chest - inflamed Kagome's senses even more. She tore her mouth away from him, needing oxygen, needing a moment to process everything.

Kagome slowly became aware that the sound of harsh breathing was coming from herself…as she felt him lick and kiss his way down her neck.

"Inu…ya…sha…a." she moaned, helpless against the feelings he was invoking as she tilted her head to give him more access.

"That's it, kitten…damn...you feel amazing….you smell amazing..." He groaned against her skin as he continued his assault on her senses.

Inuyasha's words spoken in his sexy voice held a husky tinge that ignited her quivering nerves even further. Kagome could feel herself becoming wet…almost unbearably wet.

Inuyasha Takahashi, younger heir to the vast Takahashi fortune was bad news, everyone had told her. Kagome had only to take one look at him to agree with the gossipmongers' assessment. He was built like a god - all six feet plus of him. Broad shoulders tapered into a narrow waist; long, wild, silvery hair, so shiny it was almost white; fluffy, white puppy dog ears that just begged to be tweaked; amber eyes that were not merely windows of his untamed soul, but portals to an entire, complex universe Kagome somehow felt in her heart would be dangerous to understand. Inuyasha's eyes were startling, not only for their unusual coloring, but because they hinted at so many emotions within…she felt as if she was drowning in an ocean of melted gold whenever she looked into them.

His looks were killer, and the arrogant jerk knew it. Kagome was well aware that Inuyasha was considered quite the international playboy. His name and hefty bank account were enough to guarantee him the interest of most of the females on campus…in their city…even around the world, judging by the tabloids. But it really was Inuyasha's exotic looks that gave him an edge that seemed to draw the opposite sex in. Youkai and humans had been living side by side in peace for over a few hundred years. While it was much more acceptable for hanyous to exist without fearing for their lives, some people would still argue that they had no right to exist. Of course, it was not very "politically correct" to express such sentiments out loud since many prominent members of society, the scions of the political and financial worlds, could find some demon blood in their ancestry. A natural loathing for mixed blood on the part of both humans and youkai kept the two races mostly separate when it came to mating, and thus hanyou were rare. This made Inuyasha that much more intriguing to everyone…and Kagome was no exception.

The first time Kagome had met Inuyasha, the intensity of his gaze had sent a strange thrill, a curious fluttering in her abdomen. Uncomfortable with the sensation, Kagome had discretely looked for something to distract herself with. His hands…his big but beautiful hands, were it. Kagome had never described or thought about men's hands as 'beautiful' ...but that was before she had met Inuyasha. His fingers were long and delicate, the nails strongly resembled claws, suiting him perfectly; seeming both menacing and soothing... hands that could protect but also destroy, hands that could make sparks fly with a single touch....like he was touching her now...

Kagome felt Inuyasha release her wrists slowly, only to move his hand between their pressed chests and feel its way under her white, silk shirt. His other hand went to her hip, keeping her still.

Kagome stopped struggling and felt herself melting; a loud moan escaped her lips when Inuyasha's hand slipped under her lace bra to find her breast. He began moving his palm in slow circles against her flesh, fingers closing around her breast and giving it a light squeeze. Inuyasha's tongue continued to lave her throat, only to leave its path to lick at Kagome's parted lips. She was having a hard time keeping still, breathing for that matter. Inuyasha caught her lips with his and once again his tongue was inside her, devouring her, as his fingers played with her hardened nipple, pulling at it then releasing it, only to pinch it between two fingers and squeeze it gently. He kept repeating this maddening, sweet torture over and over again until she opened her mouth into his savage kiss in a silent scream. Kagome's eyes fluttered shut as she felt her body shiver and liquid warmth pooling between her legs, her first orgasm shaking her entire being from the tip of her toes to her head. She felt dizzy with sensation as her hands clung to Inuyasha's back, nails digging into his shirt to keep from falling.

Kagome gasped for breath when Inuyasha's hungry mouth left hers. The feelings she had just experienced where wholly new to her, strange, and intoxicating to a frightening degree. She had never felt so vulnerable to anyone before…so completely out of control…her body had turned against her. As if he sensed the panic that was slowly creeping through her system, Inuyasha moved his hand from her breast to cup Kagome's cheek as his warm lips moved against her ear, making her shiver.

"Easy, kitten. Take it easy. I'm right here with you." Inuyasha whispered to her as he gently stroked her cheek.

Kagome shivered again, somehow feeling her panic fade at his words. 'Lost, I'm lost...this is bad...this boy...this man - bad news, Kagome, remember? Get away from him before you lose your mind, before you give in to him. Oh God, this feels so good, he feels so good...I want him to kiss me again...God, I want him.' Kagome was struggling with her mind, had already given up the fight with her body, the wet heat between her legs a reminder of this defeat, her nipples so stiff they hurt and tingled deliciously...

She felt Inuyasha's lips move to the lobe of her ear, taking it into his hot mouth. Kagome would have fallen if his grip on her hip wasn't so amazingly strong, if her fingers hadn't been clinging to the back of his shirt like her life depended on it.

"Say the word, and I'll stop. Do you want me to? You always talk so much, walk so proud... tell me, kitten...should I stop?"

Inuyasha's hand moved back down to her breast and he pinched her nipple hard as his tongue licked her ear slowly causing Kagome to pant Inuyasha's name again. A tiny, forgotten part of her wanted to tell him to stop, while her entire being wanted to scream no, wanted to beg him to kiss her again...

Bad news. Then why did it feel so...right? She didn't want him to stop, not now, not ever.

"I like to hear you say my name like that...Kagome..." Inuyasha whispered, all trace of gentleness now gone, his voice dripping honey when her name left his lips. He snapped his hips against hers so she could feel his hardness. Kagome gasped again, almost whimpered. She wanted to press her legs tightly together, the wetness between her legs was now impossible to ignore, her need for him was overwhelming.

"I want to hear you scream it, kitten." He whispered, and nibbled on her earlobe.

"God..." Kagome panted. "Inuyasha..."

"Tell me what you want, Kagome." He said huskily.

"I-I don't know."

Inuyasha chuckled low in his throat. "Kagome Higurashi always knows what she wants...or so I've heard." He bit on her earlobe tenderly, sucked it between his lips, and released it. "Always gets what she wants..." He murmured. "And you want me, kitten. Now...do you want me to stop? Just say so."

Kagome couldn't see his face, but she knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was smirking. Oh yes, bad news indeed. She was loving it...she wanted to scream his name...wanted him on top of her...

The wantonness of this last thought startled Kagome out of her haze. 'What am I thinking? I'm not one of his little floozies…some eye candy who hangs on his arm… H-how dare he assume...?' Kagome's self-righteousness started to kick in. She was Kagome Higurashi… above scandal…above gossip. She was most certainly not going to give her virginity up to the most frustrating, arrogant playboy she had ever met. Even if he was the most gorgeous male she had ever encountered.

"Why, I never..." Kagome started in an outrage that would have been more believable if she hadn't been trembling so violently, if her voice hadn't sounded so...desperate.

"You never what, kitten?" He moved his face to Kagome's and his golden eyes locked with hers. She froze, knowing exactly what Inuyasha would see reflected in her eyes. The same thing she saw reflected in his.

Hunger. Desire. Vulnerability?

"Such a precious, sweet little thing." Inuyasha whispered, and his hand abandoned her hip to caress her face. At first Kagome thought he was mocking her, but his tone was...almost loving. "You smell so nice...you have any idea what your scent is doing to me? You must taste even sweeter..." Inuyasha whispered hotly, and tilted her chin up to look into her eyes. Kagome felt herself blush, and he smiled so tenderly at her response, that her heart skipped a beat.

"H-how dare y-" Her voice died in her throat as she realized Inuyasha wasn't trying to offend her at all. In fact, Kagome was shocked that she wasn't offended by this, when her mind screamed at her that she should be.

For a moment, Inuyasha looked like he was going to say something, but seemed to think better of it, and Kagome read something in his expression that caught her off guard. He seemed to feel just as overwhelmed by her, although for the life of her she couldn't understand why. Kagome knew she was pretty...knew many boys wanted to date and marry her...but she'd never thought of herself as overwhelming. No, Kagome couldn't think of using that adjective to describe herself or anyone else…not when it applied perfectly to the man in whose arms she was standing.

As her body started to cool down, Kagome was struck again by Inuyasha's strong presence and undeniable masculine beauty. The hanyou's burning youki surrounded her, wrapping her in an invisible, possessive embrace that should have made her uncomfortable. Instead, Inuyasha's youki soothed her while it simultaneously teased her senses. Inuyasha's power had nothing to do with him being half demon and everything to do with who he was, how much sense it all made, to be in Inuyasha's arms, to have Inuyasha kiss her like that...how right it all felt...

Kagome slowly realized she had been so lost in her feelings, savoring what Inuyasha was doing to her, that she'd forgotten he could smell every little change in her body; he'd know it, recognize it. The arrogant hanyou knew how badly Kagome wanted him, had swallowed the silent scream that had shaken her entire being into her first climax just from the touch of his hands and lips alone. It had been so brief and yet so intense…Kagome was left craving for more...

While lacking his extraordinary senses, she could feel him…every inch of him all too well. Inuyasha wanted her, his hardness pressing against her was evident proof of his desire.

As the impact of what they had just shared…what she had just done, what she had let Inuyasha do to her, finally filtered through her haze, Kagome felt her panic return. This was just too much. Kagome's body knew precisely who it wanted and she feared that her heart was not too far behind…as strange and as illogical as that sounded. All of Kagome wanted him. She realized this, as if somebody had suddenly opened a window and let the sun's blinding rays into a room that had been shrouded in darkness. And she wanted more from him than just physical release. Inuyasha helped her feel alive…not just by his presence or the feelings he could so easily invoke in her body. No, he challenged her mentally and emotionally…dared her to be herself…dared her to want more for herself…

But now was not the time to give in to these feelings she'd never thought she'd feel...and he was not the one she should be having these feelings for…

Kagome swallowed as her eyelids once again fluttered shut ...between the heat of their bodies and the strange emotions that had suddenly flared between them, she was feeling beyond overwhelmed. She had withstood passes by men of all rank, men who held power and fame as well as aristocratic titles. Yet nobody had moved her…nobody had been able to touch her the way she had let Inuyasha. Her body and her heart didn't want him to stop...but if her mind didn't start working soon, Kagome would find herself in more trouble than she thought her emotions could deal with. What if she told him that she wanted him? What if she gave in? Would that be the end of it? Kagome didn't even want to think about the possibility. Is that all Inuyasha wanted from her? Was she just another conquest for him to add to his long list of women? No! She wouldn't let him do that to her…she wouldn't do that to herself.

"Please…want you to respect me…this is too soon." Kagome whimpered, hating her voice for sounding so unsteady, hating the tears that she could feel pooling in her eyes. She steeled herself for the angry words that he was sure to yell at her; he didn't seem the type who would take "no" for an answer very easily. Not after what Kikyou had told her. Kagome couldn't have been more shocked to hear his response.

"It is, isn't it? Too soon, I mean?" Inuyasha's voice was still husky with desire but there was a wistfulness to it that prompted Kagome to open her eyes. As she did, a lone tear slid down her cheek. Inuyasha leaned over and licked the solitary tear, then kissed the tip of her nose. Kagome stared at him, wide-eyed, as he lifted her chin and she found herself drowning in his golden gaze. "Isn't it?" Inuyasha whispered, his thumb stroking her lower lip. Kagome nodded. This was certainly not the reaction she had expected from someone like Inuyasha Takahashi. She was at a loss for words, trying to read his expression...but immediately looked away from the intensity of his stare. Inuyasha released her entirely and Kagome missed the contact the second he left her… and hated herself for it.

"Whatever makes you think I don't respect you, Kagome?" She heard Inuyasha ask softly.

"I...I just..." Kagome was at a loss for words.

"Shit, you think I can't take 'no' for an answer?" He scowled at her but he was not mad, it was worse. He was hurt.

"I don't know." Kagome whispered.

Inuyasha nodded. "Then it is too soon. You don't know me, Miss Higurashi." His voice wasn't harsh or mocking, he shot her a small smile and his eyes seemed to see right through her. "I guess it's my fault. What you've heard of me...I never did anything to stop any rumors. I didn't give a shit." He shrugged. "Now it's different."

"Why?" Kagome asked, her mind still struggling to regain control over her emotions. "How is it different now?"

Inuyasha gave her an incredulous look. "You don't know?" He asked, arching his dark eyebrows.

"Which part of it are rumors...and what's the truth?" Kagome asked of him, trying to distract herself from what Inuyasha seemed to be implying.

Inuyasha chuckled. "You'd be surprised. And I don't want to tell you. I want you to find out. See you, kitten." He turned around and waved at her without looking back but she stopped him, her hand grasping his arm.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked, frowning slightly.

Inuyasha just smiled at her, grabbed her hand and kissed it. "You don't like surprises? I'm full of them." His smile widened and he winked at her.

"No, as a matter of fact, I..." Kagome started.

"Look, I really have to go, do you want me to spell it out for you?" Inuyasha's voice was a bit harsh this time, golden eyes flashing angrily.

Kagome took a step back. "Oh. I see. So now you're all hot and bothered and want to run to one of your girlfriends, is that it?" She snapped, and was immediately sorry when she saw a look of hurt flash across Inuyasha's face.

Her regret melted into surprise when he suddenly burst out laughing.

"Yeah, that's what a good reputation does for you. Gee, you really don't know shit about me, do you?"

"I know about Kikyou." Kagome snapped.

Inuyasha froze and his expression changed from amused to annoyed, and slowly turned into pain. "What about her?" He hissed. "What the fuck did she say to you?" He was angry now, but his anger was not directed at Kagome.

"I think you know what happened. Or do I have to spell it out for you?" Kagome shot back.

"Keh." Inuyasha shook his head and walked away from her again. "Never thought you'd be the type to listen to her bullshit." He muttered. Kagome frowned at his back.

What Kikyou had told her...didn't seem to make sense anymore, did it? Kagome had refused Inuyasha and he had been...well, nice about it. Understanding. Admitted it was too soon...and Kagome had a feeling it meant too soon for him as well...but how could that be? Why had Inuyasha kept asking her what she wanted if he wasn't planning on respecting her wishes?

Inuyasha slowly turned to face Kagome. "Is Kikyou the reason why you thought I wouldn't take no for an answer? Is that what she said? That I..." He couldn't get the words out. "That she said no, and I took her anyway? Like a...like an animal? A fuckin' animal with no self control?"

Kagome didn't know what to say. Inuyasha was shaking…she felt a pulse in his youki and was startled to see flecks of red appear in his normally amber eyes. She didn't know what to feel, what to think, at the moment. Kagome swallowed and nodded.

"And you believed her?" Inuyasha asked, fists clenched at his sides as his sharp claws punctured skin, letting blood drops fall towards the floor, as the amber of his eyes receded even further into crimson. "If you believed I could do that to her, to anyone...why...why the fuck are you here, Kagome?"

Kagome opened her mouth to answer but closed it firmly. A part of her had believed it. But a stronger part of her...had somehow known that it was a lie. Why indeed would she be there with Inuyasha if she'd really believed something like that? Unable to answer him…Kagome focused on Inuyasha's actions instead.

"Inuyasha, stop! You're hurting yourself." Kagome cried as she darted forward to grab his wrists.

"What do you care? I'm just an animal, right? I don't ne-" Inuyasha's angry snarl was cut off by Kagome's trembling voice.

"No! I'm sorry! I may not know you well enough…but you're not an animal! Please, I can't stand to see this…I don't want to see you hurt yourself…" Kagome was shaking as she attempted to uncurl his fingers, to keep his claws from digging further into his palms. Inuyasha tried to pull away and successfully turned himself towards the closed door, but Kagome's grip on his wrists tightened as she swung her body around his…trying to keep him in front of her.

"Let go!" Inuyasha's words came out in a dark growl as he pressed forward, ignoring the petite woman who stubbornly clung to him. Kagome felt the hard surface of the door meet her back as she looked at his hands...he was bleeding more profusely now. The claws on his thumbs seemed even longer and sharper…

Kagome looked up and was shocked to see faint, magenta jagged lines slash across his high cheekbones…his gleaming fangs seemed even longer, deadlier…and his eyes…there was almost no amber left. He looked so savagely alien…so remote…and yet, Kagome felt no fear for her safety. Inuyasha's youki was bristling and wild and she felt her own miko powers react automatically.

She was shocked to realize that she could feel Inuyasha's pain as if it was her own... not the physical pain he was inflicting on himself, but the ache within his heart. Kagome didn't understand the reasons for such anguish...but by the gods, she felt it...felt her own heart breaking into a million pieces…for him…with him. She was left with a blinding need to make his suffering go away. Instead of sending out a purifying charge, Kagome consciously manipulated her miko energy to soothingly caress Inuyasha's youki. Kagome's soul desperately tried to reach out for Inuyasha's, attempted to ease his distress... but he kept pushing it back, pushing her back. She quickly slipped into a calm, meditative state earned from many years of practice. Kagome would not let his resistance stop her. She knew without a doubt that she couldn't… wouldn't let Inuyasha suffer alone, not ever. Kagome had no time to ponder the reason for this thought, why comforting him, saving him - from this unknown pain - was so vitally important. She continued to allow her instincts to take over as she embraced Inuyasha's youki, shielding it from his inner torment. Kagome couldn't stop her relief when she slowly felt him accept her aura.

"Please… Inuyasha…please stop hurting yourself." Kagome sobbed, tears flowing from her eyes as she watched his large, beautiful hands become stained with crimson. Kagome felt some of the tension leave Inuyasha's forearms and took the opportunity to quickly pull his hands towards her, cradling them against her chest as she once again struggled to uncurl his fingers. This time, she met with little resistance and Kagome quickly slipped her own fingers against his palms to keep him from changing his mind.

"Don't…don't cry." The words were spoken in a low growl that set Kagome's nerves quivering…but instead of desire, she felt soothed. Kagome smiled faintly at how the situation had reversed itself. Now, it was Inuyasha's turn to comfort her.

Kagome looked up at Inuyasha's face as she continued to press their clasped hands against her body. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be inhaling sharply. A trickle of blood made its way down his chin and Kagome was horrified to see that he was biting his lower lip with a fang.

"Inuyasha, no! Stop!" Kagome quickly let go of his hands and reached up with shaky fingers to wipe the blood from his chin and to try and tug his lip away from his elongated fang.

At the contact, Inuyasha's eyes snapped open…he was struggling with himself, as crimson and amber fought for dominance.

"Inuyasha, please…come back to me." Kagome whispered as her tears continued to fall.

"Kagome…" He growled as he leaned towards her face. Not really understanding what was prompting her to do so, Kagome tipped her face up and to the side…exposing her neck to him. Inuyasha pinned her body against the door, closing the space between them as his hands palmed her full breasts. Kagome shivered slightly as she felt his hot breath skirt her temple only to settle at the juncture between her shoulder and neck. Moments later, he buried his face in the same area, inhaling her scent deeply with every breath.

Kagome could feel his body shuddering against her and sought to reassure him, to pull him back from his pain and rage, however she could. Pushing up on to tiptoes, Kagome raised her arms to circle his shoulders. She grimaced at the sight of her hands…now stained by his dried blood. A slight whimper from Inuyasha broke through her self absorption and she began running her fingers through his silky, silver hair.

"It's okay, Inuyasha. It's okay." Kagome cooed softly as her own tears slowed. Her words, as minimal as they were, seemed to provide comfort for them both as she continued to hold Inuyasha and softly stroke his hair. Time passed unnoticed as they stood like this, but neither thought to move away until reality intruded in the form of Inuyasha's cell phone. He made no attempt to answer the phone and stayed silent until the ringing stopped.

Slowly Inuyasha raised his head, as he continued to take in her scent. "I made you cry again." He murmured as his tongue once again sought to erase the salty proof of Kagome's tears from her skin. She remained silent during his ministrations, but continued to run her fingers through his hair. When Inuyasha was satisfied with the results, he moved his head slightly to rest his forehead against hers.

Inuyasha could feel Kagome's aura surrounding him… still trying to soothe him. He wanted to show her that it was okay now, that she could release her energy. But the comfort of Kagome's invisible, warm embrace felt to Inuyasha like something that should never part from him, something that should always be there. Her aura and his youki, as one. Inuyasha wanted badly to put these thoughts in words, but he didn't know how to voice his feelings.

"What now?" Kagome whispered. She had so many questions buzzing around in her head…and they all centered around Inuyasha. What had happened to him just now? What had really gone on between him and Kikyou? What had triggered his sadness…his rage...his pain? But Kagome was too emotionally drained to delve into any of these topics and she suspected that it would take some convincing for Inuyasha to actually talk about them.

Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise. Kagome wasn't disgusted by him? Wasn't repulsed that she was being held by a monster who couldn't control his own temper? Perhaps his instincts about her had been right after all? Inuyasha couldn't help the happy lurch of his heart at the thought.

"What happens now?" Kagome had asked of him and Inuyasha was suddenly very much afraid. Perhaps she had not been aware of what she had just done for him...

'Maybe she was so frightened...so repulsed by me...that she tried to purify me, and instead...somehow...her aura mingled with my youki and managed to bring me back. She called me back to her...didn't she?' Inuyasha's inner voice was rambling…hope and fear collided, causing his heart to tighten.

And now Inuyasha had to answer Kagome's question. What happens now?

He had to look into Kagome's eyes, and answer truthfully. Inuyasha had to see the emotions in her eyes for himself. Had Kagome acted unconsciously, as a natural reaction to fear...or had she done it on purpose? Had Kagome intentionally tried to soothe him, even though her miko instincts should have been screaming at her to purify him instead?

`So...what happens now?' Inuyasha repeated the question to himself silently. An answer slipped out of his lips slowly, carefully. "We take things slow." He replied as he gauged her eyes…her face for the slightest bit of distaste or fear.

Kagome nodded, "Okay. Slow."

Inuyasha pulled away from the warmth and softness of her body and couldn't hide the disappointment in his voice, "Kagome, you'll probably want to get home…"

"Home. Yes, that would probably be a good idea." She said faintly, feeling the same disappointment at the loss of physical contact. Kagome's aura refused to let go of Inuyasha's youki, though, and it took all of her will to break that bond. As the contact severed, Kagome closed her eyes and swallowed hard. She suddenly felt so alone…so empty. Kagome was unable to see a similar look of loss flit across Inuyasha's face as he reached one clawed hand towards her, as if to touch her, only to let his arm fall limply by his side.

'Home I have to get home...I have to...to think about this. Gods, why do I feel so...alone?' Kagome pushed this thought away and quickly ran her fingers through her hair, looking around the room for her belongings, only to have Inuyasha hold his leather jacket in front of her.

"Inuyasha, I'm not cold…I really don't need that."

"No shit, kitten. I really think you should wear it anyway." He insisted.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome began as anger suddenly flared to life at his stupid request, only to die away when she glanced at his red face.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Your shirt, kitten."

"Since when are you an expert on women's designer shirts? What's wrong with it?" she cried in exasperation.

"Kitten, just look down."

Kagome rolled her eyes and did just that, only to gasp at what she saw. Two large, bloody handprints stood out against the stark white of her silk blouse. But it was the location of the handprints that was the shocking thing - a bold reminder of where the owner's hands had been - right on top of each breast.