InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cannot Be Broken ❯ Into the Dog's Den ( Chapter 2 )

Kagome wandered most the evening and night, making sure to stay clear of populated areas and camps of her father's army. She easily avoided sentries and spies, stretching her aura to sense demons nearby. Humans were no trouble either, since few would be near areas where these demons would inhabit. The few times she was detected, she was easily ignored. Just as she guessed, a human female was no threat to them.

 

By late night, she had crossed the Barrens that separated the Western Lands from InuYasha's claim on the eastern edge. The eastern land was mostly forest, with large, tall trees and brush. Many times she had to get off the horse's back to guide and cut away various obstacles. She had become slightly nervous when entering it. The stars were harder to see from the trees' foliage, and she began to wonder if she might be lost. Not to mention this was the first time she had been outside the manor and any in their right mind would be wary.

 

From Kikyo's directions, she was to keep heading east to reach the gulf of the river mouth. As long as she kept east, she would reach the river and just had to follow it up to its end. But at the moment, she began to worry if she was going east anymore. Thankfully she reached a small open meadow with an old abandoned well and was able to see that she was still going the right way.

 

She sighed in relief and continued riding, taking notice of a large tree that sent shivers down her spine as if a memory or echo of power erupted from it. Time passed and eventually a noise reached her ears that made her heart skip a beat. It was the sound of rushing water.

 

She urged the horse on until they broke free of the forest and saw the river. From the light of the moon and stars, she was able to see its easterly direction. By Kikyo's directions, she was to cross it in order to reach the river's north side. From the look of it, its width was no more than a hundred feet, but the middle swirled and looked as if it may be deep. She would have to go down further in order to find a better crossing.

 

It was almost close to dawn by the time she found a shallow crossing. According to the autumn hours of this time of year, Kagome guessed in another hour the sun should be out. The sky was still black, but a hint of navy blue skirted the eastern horizon. She crossed the river with no trouble, but the water was cold and her legs and feet were going numb from where they were dunked in the crossing.

 

Once she had reached the north side of the river, Kagome dismounted and patted down her steed, whispering thanks and promises of apples and carrots. The horse flicked his ears and followed as she led them east once again. The river was wider now, and other tributaries were joining it. She was sure she was close to the mouth and the red clover.

 

Walking warmed up her legs and feet, and as the sky lightened with promise over the summit, she began to feel a bit more dry but uncomfortable. It was now about daybreak when she finally made it into an open grove that opened further on to a field to the north. She needed rest and she ached. She let her horse rest and graze, since it had no bridle or saddle to hinder its comfort, while she settled behind a bush to relieve her self.

 

She sighed. Looking around the area, it was blue-grey from the dying night. Everything looked surreal. Finishing up, she made her way to a nearby tributary shrouded by small trees and shrubs.

 

She was tired and looked forward to her bed and a soak in a hot spring when she got home. Shaking her head to wake herself up, Kagome grumbled as it had little effect on reviving her senses. She resignedly knelt down by the water's edge and cupped water in her hands and washed her face. It was cold, but refreshing, just what she needed to revive her numbed senses. Yawning, she leaned back to sit against the trunk of a tree and rested in its shadows, waiting for the sun to climb over the mountains.

 

She closed her eyes for a moment before a cracking of branches caught her attention. She opened her eyes wide and froze. `Why didn't I sense it sooner?'

 

A demon aura was nearby, and it was strong. Sensing the air she was relieved to find she was downwind. Turning her gaze up the tributary, she looked at where the aura was coming from. It was heading in her direction, but it was slow, as if walking, and on the opposite side and upstream from where she now hid. She guessed the demon was about fifty feet away, and she knew if she moved it would hear her and know she was there. She covered her self quickly into her brown cloak to camouflage into the trees. She stayed still and prayed the wind would not shift.

 

From the tree's branches pounced a figure clad in red. As it moved into the open, it stood and stretched and she heard a growling yawn come from it. Turning her head more around the trunk she hid behind to get a better look she nearly gasped. It was a boy with hair almost like Otou-san's, just as long, but whiter and unkempt. Looking more closely she saw movement at the top of his head and noticed he had two pointed, white dog-ears, which were now swivelling as if listening for something. She held her breath and sat still, but keen on watching. He must be an inu demon, like Otou-san, but on closer inspection she knew he was a mix, a hanyou.

 

Looking at his ears she had to suppress the desire to run up to him and rub them. They were just too cute. His boyish face was a bit stern, but he looked almost cocky and brazen at the same time. He was very handsome, she smiled unknowingly. She bit her lower lip as she tried to control the slight butterflies in her stomach.

 

Her eyes widened as she watched him and she held in a groan as he stretched his very beautiful form. `No way am I building a crush on this guy just only seeing him for twenty seconds!'

 

But then he did the unexpected. He removed his red kariginu along with the white juban underneath, revealing a taut lithe body. His arms looked strong but sleek as well as his chest, and his stomach showed traces of hard abdominal muscles. Everything moved when he moved, and she sat unable to move from the sight. As he stretched again, he bent his back in a perfect arc while lifting his arms high and then ran his fingers through his tangled hair, scratching his head. A low purr like growl emitted from his chest in relaxed pleasure.

 

Kagome felt her mouth go dry. Her gray eyes turned a deep smoky color and she forgot that she was holding her breath. Letting it go again, she found her breath was ragged and nervous. Her eyes widened more and she suppressed a gasp as she whipped her head back behind the trunk of the tree, just as the inu-hanyou was about to lower his red hakama.

 

Her mouth dropped in shock and she looked frantically around. She realized then he was going to take a bath, and she would have to stay put until he left or face being caught.

 

She heard him slip into the water and growl at the cold. He was now only twenty feet away and naked! She closed her eyes, concentrating harder in masking herself so she couldn't be felt by his power, but visions of the naked boy with dog ears flitted in her mind. Snapping them back open she was thankful for the sun's appearance, finally! All the more able to find the red clover and get the hell out of here! Once the boy had left, of course.

 

She listened as he dunked under the water and came up emitting a guttural growl in displeasure. She smiled uncontrollably and almost laughed. As if his growls would make the water warmer. So far he hasn't felt or smelled her, so her cover must be holding.

 

She decided she was in no immediate threat and would just enjoy the show and let it be a sweet memory when she left. She slowly turned her head to look back at him. His back was to her and his white hair was slicked back with water. It clung to him like a second skin and looked radiant in the growing light of day. The river was up to his waist and she was almost thankful it covered him…almost. He looked as if he was trying to get water from his ears and he began to shake his body just like one of the hunting dogs at the palace. She put her hand to her mouth to hide a giggle.

 

When he finished shaking, he dove once again in the water, showing a perfect form of his ass. She blushed furiously but kept an eye on where he was going. She could briefly see his shadow under the water and watched it skim the bottom, only for it to resurface quickly facing her, his head thrown back as he gulped in air. Water skimmed down his face, chest and stomach to catch at the waves from where he immerged. The sun hit him perfectly, showing light golden skin that etched his features even more.

 

Kagome braced her hands against the rough bark of the tree she was sitting against, fighting the urge in her to touch him. A faint throb echoed in her lower stomach.

 

`Where the hell did that feeling come from? Oh gods! What am I doing watching a boy like a drooling fool and worse, liking it! I'm turning into the three girls at the manor! Eri, Ayumi and that other one…Yuka. Always boy crazy and here I am!' She cringed at the thought, yet her morals could move her from this spot.

 

She watched him move to the opposite shore line and turned her head away as he got out and dressed. She was blushing furiously. She may have liked what little she saw, but she was a lady of her father's court (sort of) and even she had morals (sometimes). After a few moments, she chanced a look again and saw him place his red kariginu on, the last of his clothing, and strapped a long rusty katana by his side. His long hair was sopping wet and it dampened his clothing against his back. It was unruly and tangled, but he made no motion to brush it out. It irked her to no end just knowing how bad she wanted to brush it and tangle her fingers through it. But then he jumped into the trees and was gone. She felt his aura fade further away and she sighed and turned to head back to the glade.

 

At the glade she found her horse and led him further along to explore the field. The forest was to her left, the hidden tributary and the handsome hanyou to her right, leaving the river she was following to the back of her. The sun was bright now and the air was getting warmer. She smiled and basked in the glow of it. She closed her eyes and breathed more deeply as she stretched and welcomed the new day, only to blush at the memories of only a few minutes ago. When she opened her eyes she gasped. The wide field opened up before her, and it was covered in red and green clover. She made it.

 

-+-

 

InuYasha jumped from branch to branch, but something was nagging him. He sensed something at the pool he just bathed in. At first it was a jolt of something strong when he arrived, but just as quickly it was gone. He bathed in peace not sensing it anymore, but he couldn't push aside the feeling he was being watched, and once or twice laughed at. He scowled. Whatever it was it was gone now. But just as he moved further away he could finally sense an aura following him.

 

`That's it!'

 

Something was there, and he had to know what. Though it did not attack him when he was vulnerable, it didn't detract from the fact that it was there, in his land of all places. Then the aura following him suddenly dropped.

 

`Shit, now I have to double back and track it, and get rid of whatever felt it had the right to be here.'

 

He ran back to the river, hidden in the trees. Eventually he crouched in the branches of the tree closest to the water's edge. He sniffed the air. `Damn! Nothing!'

 

He circled around, sniffing, until he caught a faint scent. He made his way to a tree on the opposite bank, and knelt to sniff. Someone was here not that long ago. Looking up he growled. He was no more than twenty feet from where they were, why had he not sensed them while he bathed? He growled even more over the fact they were there while he bathed. He followed the scent until he reached a hollow glade. The scent was stronger here, but who ever was the cause was now gone. His eyes narrowed into slits and he shifted into the shadows of the surrounding trees and followed the faint scent now caught on the breeze.

 

He was getting angry now, but tried to keep it in check. Whoever tracked his aura would sense him and he tried to suppress it to hide himself. Only a few had the capability of masking their auras, among them was himself, his worthless half-brother and now this creature.

 

He suppressed a growl. Could Sesshomaru be here? No, it didn't stink of him.

 

He moved quickly until he could no longer hide in the trees. A wide field spread before him, and in it a grazing horse. He frowned. What the hell?

 

The horse lifted its head and happy laughter tickled his hearing. His pointed ears flicked uncertainly. The horse walked to the left after being pushed and revealed a cloaked figure bent in the weeds. A hood cast over the head and he could not tell who or what it was. Its aura was suppressed, but it moved and acted like he wasn't there.

 

“Don't tell me weeds are distracting you, my prey?” He whispered and smirked.

 

He quietly hopped down and swiftly moved towards it. He stopped short and squatted behind a thorn bush when the figure stood. Suddenly the wind picked up and it lifted back the hood, showing a beautiful young woman. Her long black hair shone blue in the sun and parts of it floated like waves on the wind. From what he could see she was smiling and laughing at the horse as she tried to wrestle the weed from the horse's mouth. Her scent was caught in the wind and he finally got a good taste of her. She smelled of mountain rain and sweet blossoms, very soothing and exciting at once.

 

He ducked lower and watched her, forgetting why he was there in the first place. She was pulling up the red weeds and placing them in a holding bag, roots and all. He frowned. Why would the bitch be doing that?

 

He flicked his ears back and forth. Was she humming? He moved quietly to stand behind her and listened, and smiled as she began to sing sweetly and softly. He wanted to talk to her, but not sure what to say.

 

A faint song came to her mind and she felt too happy to hold it in, so she began to hum it, and then sing it. She never sang at home, afraid someone would hear, or worse, ask her to keep singing. Kagome collected as much of the red clover her bag could carry. By tonight Okaa-san would be better, as will many others who will benefit from its medicine. She wondered if she might be able to sneak back here to collect more medicine, after of course making sure Okaa-san was better. She was so caught up in the idea of going home that she never felt the presence behind her until it was too late.

 

“Oi! What the hell do you think you're doing?” A snide voice erupted behind her.

 

Kagome jumped and swung around to face the voice and stood stunned. It was the bathing boy, but now he was directly in front of her, and nothing could keep her from gasping from what she saw. Bright golden eyes, like burning lava, stared down hard at her. She had never seen anything so beautiful. They made Otou-san's eyes dull in comparison. She couldn't draw her eyes from his.

 

He smirked at her gasp, thinking he frightened her and looked at her fully, only to be captured in her violet smoky gaze. She had no fear in her face or scent, but had something else, something more basic and instinctual and innocent. A low purring growl in approval rumbled in his chest and he felt shocked at his reaction.

 

He unconsciously stepped closer to her and she did not back away, instead she just lifted her head to look up at him. Her scent flooded his senses and he felt drawn to her. He stood only a mere two feet from her now and she still held no fear. What kind of human was she? Normally women would flee from him as soon as they saw him, but this one just stood there, regarding him as if he was a …a what?

 

He stood taller than her by a head, and she could plainly see he was not much older than her, maybe twenty at the most, but he was no mere boy like Kouga, he was a man, with a look of authority. He was so close to her now she could reach out and touch his hair that was flowing around them. She very nearly did and she flushed slightly, her body glowing in warmth from his gaze, but then remembered he asked something.

 

“What did you say?” She breathed huskily and blushed as she tried to regain her composure.

 

He blinked down at her flushed face. He wanted so badly run his fingers across her cheeks and then tangle them through her silky hair. Her arousing voice brought him out of that daze into a deeper, primal level, as he smelled her heat. But his rational mind was nagging him. He asked her something?

 

He jumped to his senses and crossed his arms furiously and looked away, embarrassed. “Keh! I just asked what you were doing, Bitch.”

 

Upon hearing his rude remark her eyes narrowed. `Who did he think he was, calling me that?'

 

All delusions she had of him up to that point faded quickly and her eyes turned to steel. She crossed her own arms and looked up at him with fierce pride. “Wait…. What did you call me?”

 

He could sense her subdued heated arousal turn to ice cold opposition. He didn't understand what he did to cause that sudden change. He looked back at her confused. “I called you a bitch, Bitch.” What was she getting off topic for? All females were bitches. In Inu terms it could be held as a sign of endearment.

 

The girl glowered and nodded her head, the tension easing in her body. “That's what I thought.”

 

InuYasha closed his eyes and smirked. It was about time she got it in her head. He was worried she wasn't all that bright when in fact it was just she wasn't sure she heard him. He was about to follow up with the original question when he heard a sharp yell and he found himself flat on his back, staring up at blue sky. `What the hell happened?'

 

Kagome walked away from him towards her horse, fuming. `Serves him right for calling me such a horrid thing, he's lucky he just got booted on his ass.'

 

“Oi! Wench, what did you do that for?” The hanyou shouted and came to stand before her, his hands fisted as if asking for a fight.

 

“It's the least of what you deserve after what you called me!” She shouted back at him.

 

He opened his mouth in shock. No one has ever yelled back at him, especially considering whom he was and the power he controlled. He stood stunned as she walked past him to get on the horse behind him.

 

In a huff of hurt pride he turned and grabbed her arm to have her face him again, trying to ignore the electric feeling he got when he touched her warm forearm. “Hey?!”

 

She looked up at him furiously, and yanked her arm from his grasp. Normally anyone else would back down and be reasonable with this look, but she knew the hanyou in front of her was too pigheaded and too much of an ass to have any common sense. “What?!”

 

He looked down at her and stopped. He didn't know what to ask, and he was too mad to care. He wrenched her bag from her and flipped it onto his own back and turned to walk away from her.

 

Kagome stood shocked. `He just took my bag! What the hell was the matter with him?' “You just took my bag! What the hell is the matter with you?” she yelled.

 

InuYasha turned his head to look back at her, still walking away. “I'm taking back what's mine, Bitch!”

 

Whatever use he had for weeds he didn't know, but for some reason, getting a rise out of this girl was causing him to feel hyper and stimulated, especially since the heat from her anger spiked her scent to send torrents of chills to his very core. It was fun, but more so, he was feeling something he never felt before and it invigorated him to no end. She was truly a woman not turning his back to.

 

He was immediately pushed over when the girl jumped onto his back and he landed hard on his front. “What the fu…!”

 

The girl bonked him on the head while straddling his back before she reached for the bag and wrenched it from his grasp.

 

“Baka!” She griped as she moved to stand up, only for her to be grappled to the ground with the hanyou on top of her.

 

He growled down at her, his warm breath heavy and his eyes glinted in excitement. Definitely cannot turn your back on this one. His face was so close to hers he could smell her sweet breath. Her scent was more stimulating now with the adrenaline that was beginning to stir in her.

 

He inhaled instinctually and closed his eyes. His body felt on fire. He never felt more alive and he wanted more. It felt like something was pulsing from her, beckoning him in. His hands gripped hers in an effort for control and he felt the bag in her right hand. His eyes snapped open. He nearly forgot about their game. He grabbed the bag and got up to run towards the forest line over a hundred meters away.

 

Kagome lay there for a moment, shocked at the tingles she felt from his touch that seemed to travel to the pit of her abdomen. She instinctually wanted to press her body against his before he jumped up from her. Realization that he took the bag again made her loathe the feelings she just had and her lust turned quickly to fury. She watched him move quickly towards the forest and she knew she could not catch him on foot so she whistled loudly.

 

The whistle itself caught the hanyou's attention and he stopped to turn and look at her questionably, like a lap dog wondering what his master wanted. She couldn't help it. She laughed out loud only to get her attention back at hand as her horse cantered by her side. Kagome gripped its withers and hopped on to give chase.

 

The dog demon's eyes widened when he watched the girl jump bareback onto an already running horse. What can't she do? He felt a pull in his loins when he saw her tighten her leg grip on the animal but he controlled it as the girl gave chase after him. He turned and smiled excitedly as he ran to the tree line again. The sound of hooves behind him was quickly gaining.

 

He knew he could run laps around the horse, but he wanted to give the girl a chance and let her draw up beside him. He was about to turn to grin up at her before rushing ahead, but a warm hand had reached out and caressed his right ear, sending waves of pleasure in his body. Shocked at her bold move he tripped and somersaulted amongst the clover, dropping the bag in the process.

 

Kagome laughed again. For some reason she couldn't stop smiling. She had only wanted to feel his ear, but it had turned out better than she thought. She turned her horse quickly and leaned over to grab the bag and ran again away from the tree line.

 

Recovering quickly from his misstep, he landed in a defensive crouch. The girl once again had the bag and was gaining distance from him. He growled and smiled lustfully, fangs apparent as he became too caught up in the game.

 

He ran full tilt and jumped to land behind the girl on the horse. He gripped his thighs to the horse's back and grasped his right arm around her waist, pressing his body firm against hers. The shared rocking motion of their hips in tune to the horse's movement was making his blood boil and surge in places he never knew existed. Her skin was glowing with excited sweat and she smelled even more sweet and wild.

 

He couldn't help his next action even if he tried. He licked from the curve of her shoulder to behind her left ear and reveled in her aroused gasp. He threw his head back in rapture, baring his fangs in the rushing wind. The taste of her sent shocks through his body to settle in his groin. The tang of salt, wind and female musk flooded over him. He wanted so badly to grab her and lick her all over, desiring to know what else she tasted like and where. `Gods! What was this woman doing to me?'

 

In the brief time he sensed her he was already addicted and wanted to drown in her completely. Whatever train of thought he was about to have after that stopped short as the horse suddenly reared.

 

Kagome had felt him land behind her and she smiled uncontrollably when his arm grasped and tighten her against him. She then noticed he had claws, which skimmed lightly over her exposed skin of her waist, sending even more thrills through her. She felt wet all over and was excited and confused at the same time.

 

She was about to maneuver into her next move when he licked her. She gasped in stunned pleasure and lost whatever resolve she had then to be rid the man behind her. But her modesty and shyness made her hesitate and she pulled a drastic measure. She yanked her horse back suddenly and it reared up, dumping both of them on the ground as the horse shot off across the field. Kagome landed on her back on top of the hanyou and heard him cough as the wind was knocked from him. She lay there stunned for a moment before she rolled over quickly to sit up and look down at him. His eyes were closed and she was worried she knocked him unconscious. `Well serves him right, but still….'

 

She stroked his cheek gently. “Hey, are you alright?” She asked softly with concern.

 

He turned his face towards her voice and the touch of her hand on his cheek. He opened his eyes slowly and looked up into hers. “That was a stupid move, moron.”

 

Kagome scowled and swatted his nose.

 

He grabbed his sensitive nose and looked up at her to give a threatening look, but she was already up and stalking away from him, muttering something under her breath about `stupid jerks' and `no matter how cute their ears are'. He sat up, only to realize that he had grabbed the bag before she threw them from the horse. His eyes glinted and quickly he ran to the tree line again, only to hear her yelp in realization and ran after him. He was already lost in the trees before she came huffing up to them.

 

She scanned the trees and scowled. `That ass, what the hell?'

 

She sighed. The day wasn't getting any longer and she had to get back. She began to scold her self for allowing him to get her back up and even worse, enjoy chasing him around in this twisted game of fetch. She had a mission and no way was this dumb mutt going to win. She scanned the trees once more before letting out an exasperated breath as she finally made up her mind. She closed her eyes and let her aura surround her, then flit out into the forest, until she could touch his aura. She frowned. He was suppressing his aura, not enough to say he wasn't there but enough for him to be hard to find. How had he learned to do that? She had to train for years from Otou-san to reach the level she was now. She scanned again. Ahh… she sensed him.

 

InuYasha hid within the branches of a nearby tree. He could barely see her through the foliage, but enough to know she was there. He grinned. She was looking into the trees trying to find him but it soon looked as if she might have given up. She had closed her eyes and just stood there, looking quite annoyed.

 

Then he felt it, a warm wave of her aura touched him then passed. He leaned against the trunk transfixed. How was she able to do that? It passed over him again and rested on him. `Shit! How did she find me?'

 

The aura lapped over him in a coaxing caress and he could smell her in the wind. It was so gentle and soft, her aura personifying what the girl really was like, intriguing and enticing him even more. He moved quietly through the branches closer to her, trying to dull his own aura repeatedly, sometimes losing hers before she found him again. He stood on a branch above her and again her aura caressed him, before it faded and she looked up at him.

 

“You are a miko,” he simply stated.

 

Kagome never cast her eyes from him. “Yeah.” No sense covering that up, since he could feel her just as readily as she now felt him. “And that bag contains the very lives of our people.”

 

He dropped from the branch to land in front of her, holding the bag to his side. “What do you mean?”

 

“An epidemic is raging across the territory, and many are sick and dying. The clover can be used to ease the symptoms and save countless.” She reached for it only to have him draw it further away from her.

 

He looked at her completely now, scanning his eyes up her. She wore high leather boots, and it became apparent it was the only normal thing she wore. He scanned his eyes up her pant clad legs, torn up shirt that showed a nice amount of tanned, trim tummy, and a travelling cloak, that roughly hid the bow and quiver of arrows behind her back. He settled on her face, now curtained by black tendrils of loosened hair. It was flushed and annoyed. Her eyes were a violet gray, sparkling and alive, and very much a fountain of emotion.

 

“You don't look like a miko.” He quirked an eyebrow at her apparel as he looked her over once more.

 

“Well, I'm sorry. My chihaya is at the tailors and I left my hibakama on my other horse.” Kagome rolled her eyes. “Look, I don't dress to impress and since people are sick and dying as we speak can you give me back my bag so I can go make them better? Or do you want me to kick your ass again?”

 

InuYasha raised the other eyebrow at her, stunned. “Kicked my…?” Then he grinned. This woman was a hell fire and a cool summer wind all in one. He looked down at her, his eyes once again flickering over her body appreciatively though his expression held a tone of indifference. “I'll make you a deal….” He began.

 

“No.” Kagome cut him off.

 

“You don't even know what I'm about to say!”

 

“Don't care, give me the bag.”

 

“No! Not until you hear my deal!”

 

“No, give me the bag.”

 

“Deal first.” He tossed the bag up into the tree and it clung to one of its higher branches.

 

Kagome scowled at him. “You jerk!!!” She turned and walked away from him and began to climb the tree.

 

InuYasha watched her go up in surprise then admiration. He smirked and crossed his arms. “I'll give you the bag it you do one thing for me.”

 

“No.” Her voice in the tree said.

 

“You have to realize that you are taking my property and with that you have to face the consequences.” He closed his eyes and acted haughty as he leaned up against the trunk of the tree she now climbed.

 

“What are you getting on with? Your property? This land will be here when you're dead and gone, your body becoming one with it. If anything, you belong to this property.” Her voice sounded higher up in the branches.

 

He opened his mouth, and then closed it. He never thought it that way before, but easily dismissed it. “I grew up in this forest. It, and all around it, is mine, including what is in that bag. You want it, you have to give me something in return.”

 

“Listen, Baka.” A grunt and a hiss erupted from a branch overhead as a result from a scrape that will sting for a few days. “Contrary to popular belief, the life of a miko is not as rich and glamorous as it sounds. What you see of me is what you get.”

 

“Deal.” He said.

 

“WHOA! WAIT! WHAT?!” The sound of breaking twigs and small branches erupted and InuYasha leapt up to catch a falling miko. Landing softly on the ground, the girl in his arms looked up at him in shock, then anger.

 

“That is not what I meant and you know it!” She pushed herself out of his arms to stand before him in fury.

 

He started to brush leaves and bark from her hair, but she pushed his hands away in frustration.

 

“It's too late, I have made my choice, if you want to leave with your medicine, you have to give me you in exchange.” He smirked and crossed his arms.

 

“And what pray tell, oh mighty forest lord, will you do with me?” She shook her head. “Forget that, I'm not even going to entertain this conversation.” She turned to climb up the tree again.

 

InuYasha raised his eyebrows, mighty forest lord, sounds good, especially coming from her lips. He ignored her last retort and reached out without looking and grabbed her arm. “I claim you as mine, from that I shall do as I please with you.”

 

“Excuse me?” Kagome snorted, turning towards him, eyes widened in denial. “Do as you please…what do you mean claim me? You can't claim me!”

 

“I can and I have.” He crossed his arms and looked down at her, his eyes narrowing in pride and domination. The authoritative presence was apparent in his stance. “For an inu demon lord, to claim a mate is an honourable binding. You agreed by stating you are what I get in exchange for taking my property. You are now honor bound to me.”

 

“You are so full of it.” Kagome laughed and dusted herself off. “Now get my bag, `mate'.”

 

“'Kay.” He smiled and jumped up into the branches and retrieved the bag and brought it down and handed it to her. “I trust you will uphold our honorable agreement.”

 

“Wait….” Kagome looked up at him as she retrieved the bag, and her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

 

InuYasha glared down at her and frowned. “Yes. This is no joking matter. I bind you to your word and give you what is in this bag and in the field and in my forest and in my domain, as long as you are bound to me.”

 

Kagome opened her mouth to protest, but she knew that what he said was true, well, true enough if she was a demon. By being a demon lord's daughter, she would have to uphold this agreement, but that was only if this hanyou was a true lord. But seeing as this land was really Sesshomaru's, now in the temporary hands of his half-brother, (someone she sure was, even though evil, a warrior and a domineering presence, a stark contrast to this guy), whatever delusion this half inu demon had was false. In other words, he had no real claim of this land or anything in it. Thus could not bind her to her word, or lack there of, and any agreement she makes with him now would be null and void once he knew what her real standing was, if ever he knew.

 

So she could technically promise him her self, hell she could promise him the moon, but unless he did truly own this land, he would have no real claim to her. But since this land was and will be again Sesshomaru's, he had nothing to hold her to. She looked up at him and smiled.

 

InuYasha looked over her. She was thinking, and the look on her face was starting to worry him. For the brief time he has known her, he has felt nothing but fascination, want border lining on need, and best of all, a challenge. She has proven herself to be very interesting, and she was beautiful on top of that. He has never wanted anything more, neither land or power, than this woman standing in front of him now. Yes, he will delight in having her as a mate and claiming her as his own. She will be his. She smiled at him and he looked down at her cautiously, tilting his head slightly as if to rise again in another challenge.

 

“So you are telling me, lord and master of mine,” she smiled sarcastically, “that if I agree to become your mate, everything you own will be mine?”

 

“Yeah.” He nodded at her.

 

“And what, pray tell, is that exactly?” She crossed her arms and smiled as if to hold back a laugh.

 

“I own this forest, and the surrounding areas.” He moved to stand directly in front of her and looked down at her annoyed, hadn't he just told her that?

 

“And because I am taking from your land, I am honour bound to give you what you ask?”

 

“Yes, but after you become my mate, you will not have to give me anything, since what is mine, and will be mine, will be yours.” He looked down at her and growled, “but being my mate entitles me to certain…perks.”

 

“Perks?” She looked up at him truly confused, and then realization dawned on her. “Oh my gods, you don't mean…?”

 

He just grinned.

 

Kagome's face reddened and her eyes flashed a dark violet. She was like a volcano ready to erupt and she spewed forth her fury. “I don't know who the hell you think you are thinking I am that type of girl, but you will get another thing coming to you if you think I'm just going to ... to… you Hentai!!!!”

 

She shoved him away from her, but he caught her wrists and brought her against his chest, and she blushed uncontrollably. He growled furiously and her eyes widened as she stared up at him.

 

“I don't know what you think I am, but when I choose to mate, I mate for life. You will be my first and only, and you to me. I will protect you with my life, and you will never want for nothing. That is what you are bound to.” He did not let go, but he did relax his grip on her wrists when he rested her hands against his chest by his heart.

 

Kagome opened her mouth and then shut it. For the first time in her life she was speechless. But quickly and sadly she realized the stupidity of this argument. He did not own anything, and whether he believed it or not, she was bound in no way to him, agreement or not. But the medicine was important and the day was getting late. If she was going to be back by sun down, she must go now, and no more wasting time with handsome hanyous or pretend proposals. It was making her heart ache over the inconceivable. She was getting tired of this and if letting him get his jollies by thinking he had claimed her so she can take the clover back, so be it.

 

“Sure, fine, whatever.” She sighed and let loose her hands from his.

 

“So you have agreed to be my mate in exchange for these weeds?” He looked at her, expecting another fight.

 

“Yeah, but you must give me a week, to be able to administer the medicine and perform my miko duties.” She thought of quickly. More than enough time to be back home, in the safety of the Western Lands and enough time for her scent to be hard to track, if he is crazy enough to look for her. If he did find where she went, he would have to give her up realizing he would have to face Sesshomaru. Her heart ached at the thought of never seeing him again, but she was now desperate, she had to go.

 

He smiled and nodded. “Okay. One week, then I will come for you.”

 

“You do that,” Kagome said distractedly, turning back to the field to look for her ride. She whistled shrilly, and smiled softly at the growl and the flattened ears on the hanyou's head.

 

As the horse drew into view, Kagome felt his hand take hers and he turned her around. She looked up at the half demon in annoyance only for it to be melted away by the look on his face as he leaned in and kissed her.

 

The kiss was soft, chaste and lingering. Kagome couldn't help but close her eyes and get lost in it. Her first kiss. She brought her hands to his chest then upwards to slowly wrap them around his neck. He complied by folding his arms around her back and tightened his hold, gripping into her cloak with his clawed fists. Soft, shy kisses were repeated before more adventurous kisses took hold, sucking of lower lips and slight tasting as tongues explored opposite mouths, never entering but always teasing. Soft moans and gasps emitted from their kisses, which left them breathless. They broke away and looked at each other, eyes glazed and cheeks blushing furiously.

 

Kagome stepped back and looked down shyly, pressing her cool fingers against her full throbbing lips. She timidly looked up at the boy, who was standing there looking in a daze at her.

 

Her horse was beside her now and she dumbly lifted herself onto its back, and secured the bag around her. The dog demon was still watching her in a haze, not really comprehending what she was doing. Kagome smiled down at him, and turned her horse to the river for the trip home. Tears threatened to flow from her eyes as she thought she would never see the hanyou again. She never even got his name. But it was better this way. She secretly hoped he would come for her, but if he did not, she would never forget him.

 

InuYasha watched her go, his heart flying and breaking at the same time. One week would be a long time, but his face still showed the expression that melted the girl's resolve as he kissed her; love and absolute joy. She agreed to be his mate. She was not afraid or repulsed by him. She treated him not like a monster, or a half-breed, but as an equal and kissed him like…. He could still taste her and he licked his lips. There was no way she was ever going to get rid of him. In one week, he will have the world.

 

And for some reason the area where the kiss took place looked brighter and more alive, not noticed by the two lovers as they parted from it.