InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Birthright ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

AN: This is a trial run. I don't really know how this is going to turn out, but it started as a single word,which became the title. I hope it doesn't turn out like all my other fics, and I hope the idea is original enough that it doesn't feel like a carbon copy of half of the other fanfics that are out there. Because that's what I go for. I try to be original. Anyways, if you like it, please tell me what you think <3

Birthright

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Chapter One

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She was his. She belonged to him.

He stalked his unsuspecting prey, his keen sense of smell picking up the path she'd taken easily. She was running. Running from him. He could taste the faint twinge of fear in her scent. It made him growl in anger. How dare his bitch fear him?

He raced through the forest ears twitching back and forth, picking up the faint sound of her breaths. She wasn't far. Just past Go Shinboku, he'd catch up with her. Then...Then he would finish what he'd started.

A wicked smirk turned up the corner of his lips as he reached the tree. There she was...she was tired. Her strength was failing. He came towards her, his claws rasping gently over her arms. “Finished already?” He asked, his voice a raw sound. “It was just starting to get fun...” He spun her around, finding her big brown eyes worried. Worried, not scared.

“Inuyasha, please don't-”

“Shut up, bitch...” He purred, dragging her forcefully against him. When she opened her mouth to speak again, he silenced her by pressing a brutal kiss against her lips. He felt her body relax and he softened the kiss a bit. Her already parted lips provided no resistance when his tongue swept into her mouth to learn the feel of her. He wrapped one hand in her hair, the other pressed against her back, holding her warm, soft body flush against him.

At first, she seemed to melt into the kiss, then, as if her senses returned, Kagome started trying to push him away. “Stop, stop, Inuyasha...” She turned her face, trying to escape his kisses. “Inuyasha, please!”

He jerked back, staring down into her eyes. His own crimson pair reflected back in them and he saw himself smirk a bit. “Quit whining, bitch.” He snarled affectionately, violently, then he tugged her hair to the side, exposing the long column of her neck. He saw fear enter her eyes and he leaned forward, running his tongue from her jaw down along the side of her neck to her shoulder.

She was still struggling as he set his mouth against her, licking and caressing her, scraping his teeth against the soft flesh, getting a feel for how much pressure would be needed. “You're mine, already, we're just making it official...” Then, he set his teeth into her flesh, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth. He closed his eyes in ecstasy as a pained cry escaped her lips-

Inuyasha jolted from a dead sleep, eyes wide, breath rasping furiously out of him, his entire body soaked in sweat. He could feel his demon blood racing and his heart pounding in his chest. He was also rather disconcerted to notice that there was a tent in his pants. He glanced around the hut, taking note of everyone in the room.

Sango was laying against the far wall, propped slightly against the pallet Miroku, who was still wounded from their last fight slept. Kaede was in the back room, where she usually slept. Shippou curled up against Kagome's bosom.

His eyes lingered on the girl for a long moment. Her black eyelashes caressed her lightly tanned skin, eyelids hiding beautiful, expressive eyes. Her slender form was hidden beneath her bulky portable bed. Her brown-black hair fell into her face as she slept. A face that had been in his dreams since she'd first released him. It unnerved him at first, how quickly, how easily Kagome had filled Kikyou's place in his life.

He cared for her more than words could say.

Which was why he was so unnerved by the dream he'd just had. He'd been enjoying her fear, her pain. He, Inuyasha, the one who protected her as he'd only ever protected one other, had enjoyed causing her pain. He'd become aroused by the taste of her blood in his mouth, while she had cried out for him to stop.

Inuyasha brought the balls of his hands to his face and pressed them against his eyes. Something was going terribly wrong with him, and he didn't know what. This was the second dream like this that he'd had in as many weeks. It felt like his demon instincts and human heart were fighting for supremacy. His demon blood was always rising to the surface, only to be tamped down through sheer stubbornness, or fear, or Tetsusaiga. It was like the deepest, darkest desires in his heart were being played over and over and over in his head and he hadn't a clue what to do about it.

He scrubbed his face and looked towards the window, at the slowly lightening sky. God help him, he wanted to do what he'd done in his dreams. To sink his fangs into the juncture between her neck and shoulder and he had no idea why. He did, however, know that if he ever did, he wanted her to want that too.

His eyes found the girl who slept on the floor and unconsciously found the spot he'd set his teeth to. It was pale, usually covered by hair or clothes. Idly, he wondered what her skin would taste like, what it would feel like. His hands flexed and he took a steadying breath, feeling the arousal that had stirred his blood slowly fade.

He couldn't do that to her. She was clean, good, pure. He was just a filthy half-breed.

Quickly, he looked to the window, staring out at the now pink sky. When the others were watching, he was quick to cover the hurt of comments like that with an expression of disdain, pride, or general annoyance. He never let them see the pain those words always caused him. Especially not Kagome. Let her think that being called a weak hanyou didn't bother him. It was better if she didn't know, anyways.

But when he was alone, or the others slept, he wasn't so scared to let the pain show. He didn't cry, though. He'd only cried three times in his life. When his mother died, when Kikyou died, and when he'd thought his friends had died. When he'd realized they were okay, he hadn't stopped, but the tears weren't upset anymore. No, they turned into happy tears.

Tears were only ever used to express an emotion that didn't have to do with anger or pride. Same as how he rarely ever really smiled. Kagome was the only one who'd ever seen him really smile. Not even Kikyou had ever seen that.

He sighed, his eyes slowly drawn back to the girl on the floor. It was ironic. His thoughts could start in one place and meander around, but always they seemed to find their way back to that girl. The girl who drove him more insane than anyone else he'd ever met. The girl who'd caused sleepless nights, the girl who'd caused him to realize that hanyou or not, he was still a man. The girl who laughed and cried for him, who stayed at his side all this time, despite believing that she was walking in Kikyou's shadow. The girl who argued with him, who cried out to him with worry when he was hurt.

The girl it had taken him a year to realize he had fallen for long ago.

Everything they'd been through in the past year flew through his mind, from when he had attacked her beneath Go Shinboku, through Kikyou's death, barely a month ago. Through it all, she'd been his strength, the thing that kept him fighting. The one person he didn't want to see get hurt. True, he didn't want to see any of his friends get hurt, but those few times where Kagome was injured he would go off in private and mentally abuse himself, reminding himself that this was why demons called him weak.

What good was he if he couldn't even protect a single human woman?

What kind of person was he if he enjoyed the scent of her fear, the taste of her blood?

He closed his eyes, shivering slightly. He needed to find Myoga, or if the little coward wasn't available, he may have to locate his brother. He needed to know what was wrong with him.

Before it was too late.

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Kagome woke to the smell of soup being heated over the fire. It made her remember that she hadn't eaten in about ten hours and with a yawn and a stretch, she sat up, looking around. Neither Sango nor Kirara were in the hut. They'd probably gone out for their early morning training. Shippou was curled into a tight ball beside her, snoozing still.

Kaede and Miroku were watching Inuyasha with wary expressions from opposite sides of the room.

She frowned, looking towards the hanyou herself, and when she set eyes on him, her eyes widened. It was like watching a pyrotechnics display. He appeared deep in thought, and completely unaware of the light show his jyaki was doing as it fluctuated around him. His eyes were lowered, his hands fisted and pressed into the ground by his knees. “'Morning.” She greeted everyone, feeling sleepy still, and wishing that she could return to the warm comfort of her sleeping bag, rather than waking and dealing with whatever had sent Inuyasha into his present funk.

Gold eyes snapped towards her, and she couldn't help but notice the fading red that ringed the gold. Her eyes widened and breath caught. That looked distinctly like his demon blood going into submission. A quick glance found Tetsusaiga grasped tightly in one of his fists. That told her that she wasn't imagining it, and he was aware of the fluctuations in his blood. She stood, moving towards him and sat down right beside him. She kept her voice low so he was the only one who'd hear her. “Are you okay?” She asked bluntly.

“I'm fine.” He snapped, glaring at her. As if it were her fault. As if.

She nodded, looking down at the hand that clung to Tetsusaiga. “When Sango gets back and everyone eats, we'll head out.' She said softly, looking towards the huts other two occupants.

“Miroku's not healed yet.” He whispered harshly.

Kagome frowned, looking at Inuyasha. Gently, she rested a hand over his. “Then you and I will go, and Sango can stay and help Kaede-obaasan with Miroku-sama.” She said softly. She saw the wariness and confusion in his eyes and squeezed his hand gently. “You're not okay, Inuyasha. You're jyaki is all over the place.” She said softly. “You need to find out what's wrong, and I'm not going to just sit here and wait until you do.”

He scowled darkly. “Maybe I don't want anyone to come along.” He snapped, using irritation to cover up the fear that if they were alone, he'd hurt her. He glanced towards her and saw stubbornness written all over her face. Looked like she'd already made up her mind.

“Tough.” She said. “I'm coming anyways.” She moved forward, accepting a bowl of soup from Kaede and let Inuyasha stew. He could be stubborn, too, but in the end, she usually got her way. Due to the rosary or because he really did want her company, she didn't care. She wasn't about to stay behind and wait. Not when he was like this.

Sango and Kirara returned, and Shippou woke shortly after that, and Kagome announced that Inuyasha and she were going to look for shards, and asked the other's to stay behind to look after Miroku. The houshi made a lecherous comment, which ended with him being flattened by Inuyasha. By the time everyone had eaten, Inuyasha was more than ready to go. Kagome gathered her bag together and rolled her sleeping bag and headed for the door where the hanyou waited, tapping his foot in impatience.

Shippou jumped up on her shoulder, as though ready to leave with them.

Kagome paused, looking at the fox demon. If things got bad, she wasn't sure she could keep the little fox safe, so she gently pulled him off her shoulder and walked towards Sango. “Shippou, I need you to stay here and protect everyone while Inuyasha and I are gone.” She said gently. She could see he was about to object and lightly rested her finger on his lips. “You and Kirara are the only demons to protect the village while Inuyasha is gone. It's very important that you help keep everyone safe, alright?”

Shippou's eyes widened, then fell into a determined expression and he nodded bravely. “Okay, Kagome.” He said, then hugged her neck. “Come home soon.”

She smiled, patting his head gently. “We will.” She promised. Then, she scooped up her bag and followed the temperamental hanyou outside.

“You know he's hardly any good in a fight.” Inuyasha said, huffing. He glared at her as they headed towards the edge of town.

She looked towards him and sighed. “It's what he needed to hear. Otherwise, he would have been tagging along, and I would have had to protect him as well as myself if we get into a fight with any demons.” She fidgeted with her bow and glanced towards him, seeing him nod as though he expected that was her reasoning.

“You shouldn't come with me.” He said softly.

Her eyes narrowed into a glare and she huffed. “I don't care. I want to.”

He nodded again. As though he had known she was going to say that. “And nothing I say will change your mind.” He said a bit bitterly. He glanced towards her and saw her glare and sighed. “Then let's go.” He started walking, hearing her move behind him.

“Where are we going?”

His lips turned up into an ironic smile. “The western lands.”

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She was trying to push him away. How amusing.

He tasted the metallic tang of her blood on his tongue and purred against her neck, feeling her go deathly still. With exaggerated care, he removed his fangs from her and lapped at the four small impressions. They still oozed her blood. The hand at her waist pulled her closer as he nosed down her neck to her collar bone, leaving a love bite there. A gentle one this time. He didn't break the skin.

Her hands pushed at his chest and he could hear her sobbing. That didn't matter. She was almost his. Just a little more. He nipped her skin lightly, feeling her trembling. Fear and arousal met his nose, an intoxicating mix. Good, his little bitch liked his touch. The hand that had been tangled in her hair lifted and grabbed the neck of her shirt. It was in his way.

An abrupt movement tore the shirt down the middle and he heard her startled squeak.

“Stop!” She cried, hands finally getting enough leverage to drive him back.

He snarled in irritation. “Bitch-”

“Osuwari!” She cried. She was going to run if that subjugation command worked. Exhausted or not, she'd run.

He flinched, expecting to meet the dirt, but the magic behind the rosary pulled lightly, but didn't drop him roughly to the ground. A smirk turned up the corners of his lips and he stalked closer to her. She was backing away for every step he took. “Nice try, bitch...” He purred, his movements predatory.

“Inuyasha, please, you don't want this...please, not like this...” Tears were making their way down her face. She was crying.

He snarled in anger. “Shut up!” Then he was upon her, kissing her silent, his hands easily shredding the remains of her clothing.

Inuyasha bolted awake, his heart thundering in his chest. Frustration filled him as he realized that he was as aroused as he'd been only a few days before. This dream seemed to pick up where the last one had left off.

“Dammit!” He snarled, driving his hand into the ground beside him. Sucking in a deep breath, he held it, waiting for the sensation to pass. He was almost back to normal when a small hand gently rested on his shoulder. He flinched, smelling Kagome's scent waft under his nose. He didn't look at her, choosing instead to turn away, biting his lip and staring into the darkness. “I'm fine, bitch, go back to sleep.” He snapped.

“You were having a nightmare.” She accused. He kept his face averted and she sighed in frustration. “Why wont you tell me what's wrong?” She asked softly. “The others aren't here. They can't listen in...”

He bit his lip fiercely, tasting his blood in his mouth. “They're not nightmares.” He snapped.

“They...?” Her eyes widened and she was suddenly around him, looking at him in the face. “How long?” She asked, giving him a fierce look. “How many for how long?” That fierce brown gaze stared up at him and he couldn't lie even if he wanted to.

He closed his eyes and pressed the palms of his hands to his eyes, trying to erase the mental images from the dream. He still hadn't recovered fully from the one earlier that week. The images, the feelings, everything haunted him. “Two weeks.” He snarled finally. “This is the third.” He looked away, a stubborn set to his jaw. “I'm not saying anything else about them.” She wouldn't understand. She'd get scared, and it would just hurt them both. He couldn't tell her. Not until he understood why this was happening now.

Kagome sighed. “I'm going back to sleep, then.” She said, a bit of annoyance in her voice. “It's about three in the morning. You should try to sleep too.”

“Keh.” He snapped, looking stubbornly away. Yeah, right. Go to sleep when his dreams were much more fucked up than his reality. He'd rather stay awake and be exhausted later, than sleep and be subjected to those erotic, guilt-inducing dreams. At least the context was more clear now. He'd been on the verge of rutting with Kagome. And she wasn't willing. She didn't want him, but he was going to rut with her anyways. He bit his lip fiercely and squeezed his eyes shut.

Why?

Why were these dreams becoming more and more frequent? He cared for Kagome, but rutting implied a much deeper attachment than he thought he felt. His claws fisted into the grass and he took a steadying breath. They were still about a day away from the Western Lands. A day away from his answers. He'd sniff out Sesshoumaru and make Kagome stay away while he beat some answers out of his 'brother'.

There had to be a logical explanation behind this whole thing. Maybe it was just something demons went through now and then. Maybe...

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There had to be a reason. A reason that in his dreams his demon blood was in control, a reason why it reveled in causing someone he cared for so much pain. A reason that his demon side would turn to Kagome for something like...

He closed his eyes and a shudder ran through his body.

Why was he getting hard thinking about it? Why did those dreams turn him on so much? A deep growl escaped his throat and he looked towards where she lay asleep. It was as if someone had painted a red film over his eyes. His claws dug deeper into the dirt and he felt that predatory instinct rising to the surface. Realizing what he was doing, he wrapped his hand around Tetsusaiga and squeezed his eyes shut tightly. No, no. Not Kagome. I wont hurt her. Not like that.

When the feelings subsided he dared open his eyes again and felt something less akin to lust and more like affection well up inside him. This whole trip was for her. He had to do this to figure out what was wrong with him, to keep her safe.

He had to protect her.

Even if the one he was protecting her from was himself.

When the sun finally rose, Kagome stirred and he quickly looked away before she noticed. He turned his gaze towards the sky and heard her rolling up her bag. “We'll get there today.” Barring any unexpected stops.

She looked towards him, noting how uneasy he seemed. “We'll make better time if...” She blushed, then shook her head. “Never mind.” She said quickly, lowering her gaze. She'd never admit it to him, but she enjoyed riding his back, and this particular trip, they hadn't had an opportunity to yet. He'd been putting an abnormal amount of space between them, and she'd noticed him checking his claws with an alarming frequency. His free hand always rested on Tetsusaiga.

Yeah, he definitely knew something odd was up.

From where she stood, she could hear a light growl from deep in his chest. It made the hairs on the back of her neck. She loved that sound. It was raw and kind of sexy. She blushed at the thought.

“If WHAT?” He snapped, spinning towards her, seeing the faint blush on her face. He froze, watching her play with her fingers slightly.
“If I rode on your back...” She finally said, looking up at him. “But you're uncomfortable with that, so never mind.” She said bluntly, lowering her gaze from his own startled one.

He lowered his gaze as well, biting his lip. She was right. On his back they could travel almost three times faster than her fastest walk. But could he stand having her pressed against him in such a way after the dreams he'd been having lately? A glance towards her and his mind was made up. “Sit me.” He said evenly, his face dead serious.

“What?” Kagome had not expected that to be the first thing out of his mouth. He was wearing a serious expression on his face and he was looking with a twinge of worry in his eyes.

“Sit me.” He said again. “Use the rosary.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“We can sit here and you can ask questions until you're blue in the face, or you can do it and we can go.” He said, frowning.

She examined him for a long moment. He had physically braced himself, waiting to get slammed into the forest floor. He'd done nothing wrong. He was being a little prickly, but he tended to be that way when something was bothering him. Nothing that should make him think he needed subjugated. She hadn't needed to use that word in quite awhile, mostly when Kouga was involved. She took a deep breath and watched him grind his teeth together. “Sit.” She said, no emotion in her voice at all. She watched as he was slammed into the ground and waited for the spell to wear off, watching his back.

He didn't so much as squeak. Not a sound as he plummeted to the ground, not a complaint. Nothing. In fact, if anything, he seemed relieved.

When had Inuyasha turned into a masochist? She wondered, watching as he finally pulled himself off the ground. He took a few more minutes, fingering the beads, deep in thought.

They still work. Maybe they're just dreams...He shook his head and looked towards the girl who was watching him with a frown. He sighed, turning his back to her and dropping to a knee to make it easier for her to climb on. To her credit, she didn't ask any questions as she climbed up onto his back, her legs clutching his hips, her arms around his neck. He straightened and breathed her scent deeply.

Kagome rested her cheek against his hair, biting her lip hard. She wished he would just tell her. At least if she knew, she wouldn't worry as much. At least if she knew what was wrong, she wouldn't have to wonder all the time. He didn't seem ill. In fact, he seemed fine, except for his jyaki fluctuating, and the resulting tension.

But Inuyasha was stubborn. At least as stubborn as her. The only reason she won nearly as many arguments as she did was because of the rosary. She didn't understand why he'd just made her use it, but she could feel the way his muscles had relaxed in comparison to the ball of tension he'd been during the rest of the week.

Sure, he was still tense, but at least things were partially back to normal.

Now, she just needed to find Sesshoumaru and figure out what was bothering her favorite hanyou.

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It was like the great demon was waiting for them.

Inuyasha set Kagome down at the edge of the clearing and looked towards where his brother stood, his face lifted to the wind.

“I thought you might be coming soon.” The great demon said in that disdainful way. Slowly, he turned and looked at them.

“Stay here.” Inuyasha said quietly.

“I want to come-”

“Stay here.”

Kagome's jaw snapped shut at the sound of his voice. It wasn't a request. It was a demand. She looked at the hanyou and bit her lip. “Okay.” She finally agreed.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then walked forward to meet his older brother in the middle of the clearing. He didn't speak until he was certain he was far enough away that Kagome wouldn't hear him. “Then you know what's happening to me?”

Sesshoumaru arched an eyebrow. “Why would you presume that I know what you're talking about?”

“You knew I was coming.” Inuyasha objected. There was a look of mild annoyance on his brothers face and he glanced back, seeing Kagome pacing back and forth, her eyes never leaving them. He had to ask someone, and he was presently in the company of the only other dog demon he knew. “Look, I detest coming to you for help, you know that. I wouldn't have unless it was bad...”

“I'm aware.”

“I'm having dreams.” Inuyasha glanced at Sesshoumaru. “About attacking Kagome.”

The expression of disdain didn't waver but a faint trace of interest shown in those eyes. “She doesn't know.”

“I'm not a fucking idiot.” He snapped back at the older demon. He took a steadying breath, glancing back towards where the girl waited. “I'm not trying to kill her when I attack...I...In the dream I bite her shoulder...” He pointed at his neck and saw the interest sharpen. “Here.”

Sesshoumaru arched an eyebrow. “That's where dog demons mark their mate.” He said calmly.

“WHAT?!” Inuyasha shouted, eyes bugging out. He saw Sesshoumaru open his mouth and held up his hand. “I fucking heard you!” A glance back found Kagome moving towards them. “Kagome, stay the fuck over there!” He yelled at her, waiting until she complied before turning back and taking a deep breath. “What about the jyaki? Is that some weird demon mating crap too?”

“Jyaki?” The great demon frowned. “What are you talking about?”

His heart crashed into his stomach, sending both careening to his feet. “Since these dreams started, I feel like my jyaki is fluctuating like crazy. Like I'm on the edge of transforming all the time. I had to have Kagome subjugate me earlier just so I didn't have to worry that I might hurt her.” He realized Sesshoumaru was tuning him out, deep in thought and stopped abruptly, letting the demon think. He needed help. He needed someone to help him.

Sesshoumaru looked from the troubled hanyou to the girl and back. He had never heard of anything like this in his life. The only thing he could think to do involved a great deal of research, which required patience, which wasn't something the hanyou had scores of. “I will look into it. Until then...” He pinned the hanyou down with a look. “I would tell that girl of those dreams. They involve her, and she has the right to defend herself. Knowledge will help her do so.”

“But I-”

He turned on his heal, walking away. He could hear the girl approaching the hanyou and frowned deeper. He only hoped that idiot hanyou would follow his advice.

Kagome saw frustration written all over Inuyasha's face when she met him in the middle of the field after Sesshoumaru had left. “We should make camp...” She said softly, resting a hand on his arm gently.

He shook her arm off. “Fine.” He snapped. He watched as she set up the portable barrier that Miroku had made for them awhile ago and glanced away. He flopped down on the ground and heard her move beside him when she was done. He glanced towards her and saw a slightly subdued expression on her face.

“Sesshoumaru couldn't help?” She asked, tracing designs in the dirt with her fingertip. She didn't expect an answer. In the day since they'd left Inuyasha had barely said a handful of things to her, and none of those were about the dreams he was having. Most of them were harsh, angry. As if he were trying to drive her away.

He looked at the ground. “He...didn't have all the information I need.” He said softly. “I don't know why my jyaki is acting weird.” He heard her hum in agreement and bit his lip. The bastard was right. He should tell Kagome about the dreams. She deserved to know. He needed to tell her. But he didn't know how.

“What about the dreams?” She lifted her gaze, finding him looking at her, his lower lip pinched between his fangs. “What did he tell you?”

“That I should...” He looked away from her quickly, fisting his hands in the grass. “I should tell you.”

She blinked, looking at him in surprise. “Do you want to?” She asked bluntly.

“No.”

She sighed, nodding. “Then don't. They're just dreams, Inu-”

“Stop it.” He said forcefully. “You need to know.” He looked at her face and found her looking at him through wide, startled eyes. He didn't know how to tell her. He couldn't say it and look at her, though, so he looked away. “I've been dreaming that I've been attacking you.” He said quietly.

“You wouldn't hurt me.” She said firmly.

He shuddered. She trusted him. There was no doubt in her voice. “I did in these dreams. I wasn't all me, it was like it was my demon side...and it was enjoying hurting you...” He glanced towards her. “That's why I made you sit me earlier. To make sure it still worked...” Slowly, he looked at her and saw a slight frown on her face. “I didn't want you to know, but you need to.” He sighed, looking away.

Kagome reached forward, cupping his face with her hand, forcing him to look at her. “What about this?” She reached up and touched the place he'd gestured to when he was talking to his half-brother. She saw a faint blush on his face and noticed how uncomfortable he looked. “Inuyasha?”

He shifted. He could lie to her. Lying would keep things safe. For as long as they could stay that way, they'd stay safe. His eyes slowly met hers and he saw puzzlement in her eyes and his heart lodged in his throat. There was no point denying it. Lying wouldn't do either of them any good. “I dream I bite you there.” He said softly. A marking bite. A mark that would bond her to him forever. He felt his stomach tie itself in knots and he pulled her hand from his face, quickly looking away.

He didn't release the small appendage from his grasp. “Kagome, I want you to promise me something.” He said hoarsely. When she made a sound of agreement, he continued. “If I ever lose control of my demon blood, sit me until I become a permanent fixture in the ground.”

Kagome stared at him in shock and then her lips twitched up into a grin. A strangled giggle escaped her throat and she threw her arms around Inuyasha's neck, hugging him tightly. “Inuyasha, you're completely insane.” She whispered into his hair, closing her eyes.

Inuyasha went completely rigid. His jyaki was responding to her presence and he could feel his body reacting to her position. No! NO!!

Kagome pulled back and noticed that Inuyasha's eyes were red-ringed gold, and completely petrified. Her eyes widened in shock and she saw him go from terror to need. She felt one of his hands rest on her back and the other cupped the base of her skull. She became distinctly aware of their position and a blush climbed her neck, staining her face pink. “I-Inuyasha...what-?”

He was still him. Barely. He closed his eyes and roughly hugged her against his chest, burying his face into her hair. “Dammit...” He whispered. “What the hell is happening to me?”

Kagome gently eased back, seeing that he was struggling to remain himself. Gently, she brushed his hair back from his face. His eyes were flashing between fully red and gold and she remembered another time when he had almost lost control of his demon blood. Her eyes lowered towards his full lips and she felt her heart speed up in her chest.

“Kagome...” He gasped when her hands lightly touched either side of his face and caressed him from forehead to chin. Her eyes were focused south of his eyes, he sensed on his lips. He moaned softly, shaking his head. “No, don't-” He felt his nails lengthen into claws and saw her grimace slightly as they pricked into her skin. He opened his mouth to object again, but her lips against his silenced him.

Kagome leaned towards him, resting her hands lightly against his shoulders and pressed a soft kiss against his lips. His claws hurt where they'd pricked her side and neck, but she ignored it. Slowly, she pulled back and rested her forehead against his. “We'll figure this out, Inuyasha.” She whispered. “Together. I promise.”

He felt his jyaki subside and his eyes opened slowly. They were back to normal. “I hurt you.” He whispered, his eyes pained. When her eyes opened, he found a slight smile in them.

“It's not the first time it's happened like this.” She said softly, reaching up and gently scratching him behind the ear. “Don't worry about it. They're not deep.”

He squeezed his eyes shut and hugged her tighter. “Stupid, why do you have to be so reckless?!” He whispered, burying his face in her hair. She was going to stay with him. Even knowing that she was in danger, even knowing that he could hurt her at any moment, she was staying.

She wasn't running away.

“Okay, Kagome...” He said softly. “Together, then.”

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AN: So, there's the first chapter. It was actually pretty painful, and I might go back through and flush out some things. Seeing how this has an M rating already (due to some Inuyasha potty mouthing and some possible explicit activities later), it probably wont get seen on FF.Net. I'm posting it under my more 'empty' name of Chibi-no-oneesan, but I'll be posting it on MediaMiner.org, full and uncut (This chapter isn't edited), under the name of DemonSaya. Anyways, you know the drill. Love it, hate it, let me know all <3 I'll check back in a few days. Love, Peace, Fried Chicken and Beer

-DemonSaya-