InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Choices, Choices... ❯ No Regrets ( Chapter 8 )

Thanks:

At FanFiction - Sayuri-chan18, Light Up the Sky, firegoddess372, snow cat demon.

At DeviantART - no1sangel07, luvtodraw, Hawiicuban, Katevan, hottyruby, Cali2007, lonelygirl818 .

At InuyashaFanFiction - Animefreak, sweet_dark_silence, and anime101.

Replies:

At MediaMiner: kokoronagomu - Yes, the whole point was to keep people guessing. I didn't want anyone to read a few chapters and say, “Oh, she's going to be with so-and-so…”. I know this means that some people are going to be disappointed, because everyone has their fave, whether it's Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, or Kouga. But I hope everyone will be pleased with the ending. I'm pleased that you are rooting for Inuyasha- I actually do keep track of who everyone wants to end up with Kagome (although the final decision has already been made - no one can change my mind at this point) and each guy deserves his loyal followers. But if you're in suspense, that means I'm doing my job, and that makes me happy. Thanks for reading! foxtale3 - Your review made ME squeal in delight! I'm so glad to have a fellow Kouga fan! I don't know if you know, but I have a finished Kouga/Kagome story, and I don't have as many fans for that one because there aren't too many people that are fond of that relationship. But I always daydream about those two. Don't get me wrong, I'm not giving anything away. BUT I do think Kouga needs his just desserts. And, because you are a fellow Kouga fan, and you're rooting for him, I dedicate this chapter to you, my friend. I hope you like it! buzzk97 - You make me blush! I'm so happy, I could cry. I'm so glad you like this story so much! And thank you so, SO very much for reading `That's the Way Love Goes' as well. It really means a lot to me. And that was really what I was going for - to surprise you all at least every other chapter or so. I meant for this to be kind of like a soap opera - where everyone is sleeping around (well, at least some are) and there are murders and lost relatives and harsh childhoods… If you think about it, Inuyasha (the manga) is already like that, but you can only do so much, since it's set in the Feudal Era. AU is so much more fun… *evil grin* I'm so glad to have Kouga fans! Yay! Perhaps you should check out my story, Always, since it involves Kouga… Anyhow, I ALSO dedicate this chapter to you. I hope you like. May the smut live on.

At AdultFanFiction: swasdiva - God I just love your reviews. This chapter is also dedicated to you, you wolf-lover, you. I know how you feel. I have always thought to myself, “SessKag is `the sex', and of COURSE InuKags is canon, but poor Kouga… Is the girl blind?!” Personally, even though Inuyasha is hot in his own way, I think that I wouldn't have been able to put up with the whole Kikyou thing - that's just me. I'd still be friends with Inuyasha, but I would probably have to go with Kouga. BTW, the soul-mizzle thing is cute. I know what it is - we're kinda ghetto down here. Maybe I can fit it in somewhere… Thanks again, and thank you SO MUCH for reading TWLG as well. It really means a lot to me. TheMikoShivae - Thank you so much! I hope to keep seeing you around!

 

Just a side note. I have the best fans in the world. It's a pleasure to write for all of you. Just thought you'd like to know. On with it.

 

 

Chapter 8: No Regrets (Dedicated to foxtale3, buzzk97, and swasdiva)

 

WARNINGWARNINGWARNING! This chapter contains a lemon! If you are uncomfortable with sexual themes, please visit this story at FanFiction, PaperDemon, or deviantART.

 

Kagome stared in shock at the man opposite her. Was he for real? Did he really think something as stupid as that was going to work on her? Youkai… she scoffed at the thought. Everyone knew youkai didn't exist. He might as well tell her he was a dinosaur.

 

Kouga was worried. She was looking at him like he had two heads. And she had scoffed rather loudly at him. “K-Kagome?” he ventured.

 

“What is it?” she yelled. “Did you come here to kill me or something? Did you think that would distract me or something? Because I don't see any reason why you would say something that stupid to me. I mean, come ON. Youkai? Are you kidding me? I think…”

 

She sounded angry, and Kouga tuned her out for a moment to think. A moment was all he needed, because there was only one thing he could do. He placed a hand over the girl's mouth, effectively silencing her. She seemed afraid, as if whatever scenario her creative mind had conjured was going to happen. He removed his hand, and she watched with worried eyes as he closed his own, seemingly to meditate. As he sat with his eyes closed, he lifted his long, brown hair up into a ponytail within his hand. She was stunned, and gaped as she watched his ears change shape and became pointed, like elven ears.

 

He opened his eyes again, and noticed that her expression had changed to shock again. He grinned sheepishly, but then she became angry once more.

 

“If you think you can trick me with some magic mumbo-jumbo then you got another thing…” She was silenced again by Kouga's hand as he let his hair fall down around him again.

 

He sighed, feeling worn out. He finally tells a girl about his heritage, and she doesn't even believe him.

 

“Watch,” he said simply, closing his eyes again.

 

To her befuddlement, Kagome saw him bare his teeth at her, like a silly dog. She was about to yell at him again for wasting her time and had every intention of kicking him out of her apartment when movement caught her eye. She stared in amazement as his canines grew, elongating until they became sharp fangs. She was reminded of the many vampire movies she had seen, although this was right in front of her. Panic hit her, and she thought about running to her room, but if he were a vampire, he would catch her no matter what. But reason butted in, and reminded her that the ears were strange, and perhaps she should listen to him. They sat in silence, Kagome thinking of something to say, and Kouga hoping she would find her voice.

 

Suddenly, she looked at him sternly. “Show me again,” she said, furrowing her brows.

 

“Listen, Kagome, I'm not a vampire or anything. I'm a demon. I don't drink blood, and I don't turn people. I just-”

 

“Please. Just… show me,” she said quietly, a pleading tone in her voice.

 

As long as she asked, he would give her whatever she requested. So he bared his fangs, concentrated, and willed them to recede. She gasped as she watched them turn into seemingly normal teeth.

 

“But then… why do you… I don't understand…”

 

Kouga sighed. He knew it wasn't going to be easy. Maybe this had been a mistake.

 

“Look, Kagome. I'm not asking you to understand this all at once. I just… I wasn't going to be able to do anything with you unless you knew the truth, that's all.” With that, he got up and turned to leave, but he felt a pull on his navy polo shirt.

 

He turned, and saw that although she looked confused, she wasn't afraid. He sat again, gazing into her eyes yet again. All he could do now was wait until she spoke.

 

For a few moments, Kagome collected her thoughts. He obviously had not come to harm her. What other motive could he possibly have? Kagome wracked her brain, but all she could feel was trust. Her instinct was to trust this man. But… didn't jii-chan always tell her that youkai no longer existed? Of course, she never really listened to the old man's stories, but knowing him, how could he be right?

 

All she knew at this point came crashing in towards her. Youkai exist? And they look human? How many are there? Did she know more of them? The only thing she could do was wait for them to reveal themselves, if she did know any others. But there was no reason for youkai to reveal themselves to humans unless they needed to…

 

“So, why did you tell me?” she asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

 

Kouga was stunned. Didn't he already tell her? “I didn't want you to hate me later, in case anything happened between us…”

 

In case? So, he was playing it safe. Big tough guy is playing it safe. He knew what was about to happen, but doesn't want to appear over-confidant. Unless deep down, he really doesn't have much confidence…

 

“But why? I would never have found out,” she said, her psychology courses taking effect.

 

“Yes, you would have. If we were having sex, you would definitely notice my fangs. And if I was distracted enough, my ears. I didn't want you to freak out in the middle. I want you to feel safe, not disgusted,” he told her sadly.

 

“Disgusted? Why would I be disgusted?”

 

“Youkai, Kagome. Don't you know what that means? How many people would love a demon?” he asked.

 

“Granted, it's a shocker. But that doesn't make you disgusting. In fact, I still think you're hot,” she said coyly.

 

His eyes shot up to hers, surprise swimming in them. “But…”

 

“No buts. So you're youkai. Does it change anything? Is there some sort of ritual we have to complete before we make love?” she asked innocently.

 

He chuckled at this. “No. No rituals. It just means… I'm different.”

 

She moved closer to him, and he could see the lust returning to her eyes. “You know, I've never made love to a youkai before.”

 

Kouga swallowed hard, and it amused Kagome that he came off as such a player, but became nervous when the tables were turned. This intrigued Kagome. Did this mean that he tried to tell anyone he meant to have sex with? What if they didn't react favorably?

 

“Kouga?” she said, her voice meek once again. He looked up at her, afraid of the sudden change in her tone. “Kouga, do you always tell a woman that you're youkai before you go too far?”

 

He hadn't been expecting this question, and it caught him off guard. He actually dreaded this question.

 

“Well, yeah. Only once did I tell a girl after, and she wasn't very happy.”

 

“So, when was the last time you had sex?”

 

He would have thought she was being mean, except that she sounded genuinely interested and curious.

 

“Over seventy years ago was the last time I told a girl, and she accepted me. I've only tried two other times, and they were too upset afterwards,” he told her sadly.

 

“What about the girl that accepted you?”

 

“We just didn't work out in the end, and she moved on. She died with my secret.”

 

Kagome felt her heart reach out to him. Seventy years without love. Wait…

 

“Seventy years, but then… you only look… How old are you?” she finally squeaked out.

 

He smiled without happiness. “Over three hundred,” he told her.

 

Three hundred years old? But he only looked twenty-five! “But how…”

 

“Strong youkai blood,” he answered, knowing her question. “I'm from a great Yourozouku tribe, and the stronger your demon blood, the slower you age, as well as other things.”

 

“So… Wolf demon?” she asked.

 

“Yes, I'm an ookami,” he answered.

 

She seemed to mull things over for a minute. “Wow,” was all she said.

 

She turned to him suddenly, and he was startled by the sudden movement. “So, there are all kinds of demons?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

 

Kouga snickered. He wouldn't have been interested in Kagome in the first place unless he had truly thought her worthy. And she was surpassing any other woman he had known, just in the way she was handling this situation. He had known, from the moment he saw all the books in her room and by her choice of career that she was perfect. And he had not been wrong. She not only accepted him, but she wanted to know more still.

 

“Yeah,” he told her. “There are bird demons, reptiles, boars, cats, dogs, panthers, bears…”

 

“Wow,” she said again, a little overwhelmed.

 

Kouga stopped himself and drew her into an embrace, holding her against his chest. “I'm sorry. It's a little too much for you right now. And after you fainted. I should have waited,” he told her worriedly, stroking her hair.

 

“No, it's fine. I'm actually… I'm amazed. I wonder how many youkai I know.”

 

Yeah, I'm wondering about that too, Kouga sneered in the confines of his mind. He remembered the smell of that filthy mutt all over her, as well as the strong scent of the other inuyoukai male.

 

Kagome turned suddenly and kissed him heatedly, and it took him a moment to respond, for he was in shock.

 

When she finally pulled back, she bore into him with her deep blue eyes and whispered huskily, “So, what will it take to make your fangs grow?”

 

His youki pulsed in response, knowing an opportunity when it saw one. Something else much lower also pulsed, realizing what was to come.

 

Kagome watched him fidget under her gaze, and she enjoyed the power. She coyly bit her lower lip, and she watched as his gaze transferred to her mouth. She sucked on her lip for good measure, and it seemed he was so out of it he hadn't noticed that she had descended upon him. He blinked lazily, finally focusing on her eyes.

 

“Uh…” he said intelligently.

 

“Mm-hm,” Kagome replied, moving until she was straddling Kouga.

 

He swallowed hard, and didn't know where to put his hands now that she filled his personal space. But Kagome knew. She took Kouga's hands in her own and placed them around her, resting on her rear. She never broke his gaze and bent to capture his lips. Kouga was surprised, but responded eagerly. Quickly, their kiss became heated.

 

Kagome laughed out loud when, during their kiss, she felt his fangs elongate. She touched one with the tip of her tongue as they kissed, and he felt her smile against his lips.

 

So she liked the added danger. Was there something wrong with that? Suddenly, a thought came to her, and Kouga became alarmed when she pulled away to look at him. But the look in her eyes quelled his fear.

 

“So…” she asked demurely, “just how dangerous are you?”

 

Again, Kouga swallowed hard. What did she want to hear?

 

“Well, I'm stronger than five human men,” he told her honestly.

 

“Show me,” she challenged.

 

“I'm fast, too.”

 

This brought her up short.

 

“That's part of your powers?

 

“Er, yeah. Does that bother you?”

 

“But…” she began, pausing to think, “aren't you going to the Olympics?”

 

Ah. The Olympics. She concerned about my cheating. “I know what you're thinking. But it's not really cheating. Believe it or not…” He sighed here, unsure of whether he should go on. She half-smiled, asking him to continue. “Believe it or not, most of the `people' you see at the Olympics are demons.”

 

Well, that made sense.

 

“Oh,” was all she said. Then, “So you're running against other demons?”

 

“Yeah, most of them. I think there's two humans participating in all of my entries. Barbados and Jamaica, I think,” he told her.

 

“Wow. I had no idea there were so many…” she began.

 

“Well, yeah. We kinda have to lay low. There's so much discrimination in the world. You humans… you fight amongst race and gender… We youkai do the same. The last thing the world needs is for youkai to start fighting humans. The only reason most youkai agree to not uncover themselves is because they do so well for themselves in the human world. They're CEO's, Presidents, millionaires… If they only had to fight other youkai, it would be boring.”

 

“Well, that makes sense,” she said. And yet, here was Kouga. In school, running track, and going to the Olympics. And here with me, a med student, in my lousy apartment. Why? What does he want from me? “Kouga? Can I ask you something?” She didn't wait for an answer. “Why me? I'm nothing special. You could have someone great… a youkai girl who's rich or powerful. I'm no one…”

 

Here, Kouga grasped her shoulders.

 

“Kagome, please don't ever say that about yourself. I'm not interested in youkai girls. They're snobby and conceited. I don't need rich and famous. I just want someone who's working hard for something; someone who cares. Someone who wants me, not a guy she can mooch off of,” he told her.

 

She could see the hurt in his eyes.

 

“Did something happen to you?” she ventured.

 

“I was in love once, when I was just a kid. I thought she loved me too, but apparently her parents had sent her to me on purpose, telling her that if she married me, she could have whatever she wanted because it would unite two powerful wolf clans,” he explained sadly.

 

“That's awful,” Kagome said, pulling him into a hug. When she pulled back, something else bothered her. “So… how did you find out? I mean, you're not together anymore, right?”

 

Kouga chuckled darkly.

 

“The night before our wedding, we had a big fight and she slipped up. She said she was going to ruin me after I made her rich and famous.”

 

Kagome gasped. Youkai could be that ruthless? Women could be that cruel? Kagome, you are so naïve, she told herself. Just because she had never surrounded herself with those kinds of people doesn't mean she had never heard stories or seen things on TV. She looked at Kouga, and it felt like he was reliving that moment in his head. Wanting him to forget that awful girl and make new memories, Kagome drew him into a sweet, innocent kiss.

 

Kouga could feel how much she wanted to erase his memories. He kissed her more urgently, and she responded eagerly. They were fevered, moving slowly but with much passion. Kouga ran his fingers through her hair, and his claws, which had grown with the spike of youki, grazed her scalp softly. She pulled away gently, lust still clouding her eyes.

 

“Claws?” she asked softly.

 

Kouga eyed her predatorily. He showed her his hands, his fingers tipped with sharp talons. Not missing a beat, Kagome leaned forward to continue kissing him. Kouga barely had time to thank whatever kami's he had appeased to bring this girl into his life before he was lost in the heat of their passion.

 

After a few moments of exploring each other's taste, Kouga leaned forward to pull his shirt over his head. As he moved, his arms brushed Kagome's breasts and her breath hitched in her throat as her nipples hardened.

 

When he removed his shirt, Kagome ran her hands over the hard expanse of Kouga's chest. She watched his muscles move as his hands moved to her face. He captured her lips again in a kiss, and this time, neither held back. Finding his confidence, Kouga fiercely cupped a breast under her shirt. He rubbed a nipple with his thumb, eliciting a moan from the woman on his lap. Her primal urges taking over, Kagome ground her hips into Kouga's. He growled his pleasure into her mouth, and she found it delicious; she wanted to make him do it again. So she gyrated some more, and the vibrations from him drove Kagome crazy.

 

Wild with lust, Kagome raked her nails down Kouga's chest as she sucked on his bottom lip. Kagome felt the reaction of her movements when she suddenly felt something extra between the two of them. She giggled when she released him long enough to look down at his khaki cargo pants to find the bulge. Emboldened, she reached down between them and grabbed the swelling member. He hissed through his teeth, and Kagome threw her head back and laughed. She leaned in for another kiss, but Kouga had other plans.

 

After a quick kiss, he grabbed the hem of her tee-shirt and pulled it over her head, tossing it next to his own. Bending his head down, he grasped a nipple between his teeth, a fang grazing over it. Kagome threw her head back once again, but this time she was groaning with want. Bringing his face up to her own, she kissed him wildly, bouncing softly on his lap, causing him to grow even harder. Soon, they were both whimpering with need.

 

Now impatient, Kagome jumped off of Kouga's lap, alarming him. But she didn't allow him to dwell on it. Quickly, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him off the couch. Her eyes beckoned him to follow her, and he knew that wild horse demons couldn't tear him away from her. He trailed after her, and soon she was flicking the light in her bedroom on.

 

Once she was in her bedroom, Kagome asked him to stay in the doorway. She walked to her bed and stopped, her back to him. Coyly, she looked over her shoulder at him as she reached behind her back to unclasp her bra. She had only just separated to two sides when Kouga was instantly behind her. He was already slipping a shoulder strap down her arm and had his lips to her neck before she could speak. She laughed huskily.

 

“I thought I asked you to stay over there,” she said, enjoying the feel of his mouth on her skin.

 

He trailed a few kisses down her neck to the point where it joined her shoulder. In that curve, he sucked, then bit down, letting his fangs only graze her skin.

 

Kagome could feel her breath coming in shallow, hard gasps. But when his canines dragged across her skin, she moaned in a most explicit way and ground her ass against his hard cock.

 

Smiling against her shoulder, Kouga answered her. “I thought I told you - I'm a wolf, not a dog. I'm not so trainable.” She smiled.

 

He spun her around, and her hair wound around her dramatically after she stopped moving. He kissed her hard, and she groaned as she felt herself being pushed towards the bed. It only took a few steps backwards, but she felt the soft hardness of her mattress. He had her pinned, and he trailed a few kisses over to her ear while removing the bra completely. He sucked on her earlobe, and Kagome felt tingly all over. Her knees weakened, and she soon felt Kouga's hands by her waist. But they were affixed to his own pants as he struggled to get them off. As his khakis dropped, Kagome couldn't help but look. Boxer-briefs. Hmm. She had never been with a boxer-briefs man before.

 

Kagome reached for the button on her own pants, but `accidentally' rubbed the back of her hand against his erection. She laughed as she unzipped the capris and pushed them down over her hips to reveal her pink bikini panties. Kouga placed his hands on her hips, pricking her carefully with his claws. She brought her own lips to his neck and felt his pulse thumping wildly. She nibbled, and he growled in that beautiful way she loved. He leaned forward, pushing her back over the bed until all she could do was sit. He leaned over her in a dominant position, and she looked up at him lustfully. With one last kiss, Kouga pushed her slowly down onto her bed.

 

Travelling down her body, Kouga made his first stop at her breasts. He lavished one hardened peak, then the other. He rubbed, licked, sucked and bit. Kagome answered by wriggling, moaning, and pulling his hair, which cascaded over her like chocolate syrup. As he trailed more kisses down her stomach, she pulled his hair up so she could see his ears. She had the urge to nibble them, and made a mental note to do so. But seconds later, she couldn't think at all, because Kouga had slipped her underwear down her legs and lapped at her core. She was like a windup toy that had been released. She gripped her comforter, slithered around and moaned.

 

Kouga had waited so long for this, and he wasn't going to miss a single opportunity. He let her know how much he enjoyed his time with her by stroking, caressing, and licking her most sensitive area. And Kagome let him know he was doing a great job by gripping a hand in his hair, clawing at his shoulder, and whimpering. When he felt she was close, he travelled back up her quivering body to tease her nipples once again. But he was anxious to get to the best part, and apparently, so was Kagome. She pulled his face up to hers and kissed him deeply, tasting herself on his lips. When they broke away from each other, Kouga kneeled above her to remove his underwear.

 

Kagome sat up to help him, and she removed his hands from the waistband. He complied, and watched as she pulled them down to reveal his erection. She was pleased, and decided to let him know by taking him into her mouth. Realistically, he hadn't wanted her to do it. Partially because he just wanted to be inside her. But the majority of the reason behind it was that he didn't want her doing it was because he was going to explode if she didn't stop doing that delectable thing she was doing with her tongue andohmygodI'mgoingtocome…

 

He quickly withdrew from her mouth, pushing her down on the bed. He lowered himself onto her and kissed her lazily, both of them slow with passion. He positioned himself and…

 

He stopped.

 

“Um… Kagome?”

 

Her mind still foggy with pheromones, Kagome could only look into his eyes as he asked his question.

 

“I, uh, don't have any condoms. This kind of thing doesn't happen often and I didn't prepare for something-”

 

Kagome silenced him with a finger on his lips. She finally understood, and tried to reassure him.

 

“Kouga, I'm on birth control,” she smirked.

 

“Oh, ok,” he said, hungrily devouring her lips.

 

She laughed, and he laughed back, and they both felt great as they rubbed against each other and kissed.

 

And when the humor was lost in passion, he lined up with her and slowly pushed his way in.

 

“Ooh, Kouga,” she moaned as she dug her nails into his back.

 

He ground his teeth with the pressure, and pulled back to thrust. When he pushed down slowly, she whimpered, and it compelled him to thrust a little faster.

 

Kagome was pushing her hips up to meet his, but he felt so good, filling her up, that she needed more.

 

“Gnn… harder,” she whispered. He was happy to comply.

 

He thrust harder, his hair falling around her and mixing with her onyx tresses. The friction, combined with her matching his strides, brought her to the edge. She gripped his shoulders, and her world began to go black in the moments before her climax. Kouga knew he could let go now, and he thrust faster for himself. Kagome cried out, and as she was coming down, Kouga released himself into her. Grunting, he squeezed his eyes shut and jerked. Kagome kissed his neck tenderly. When their thoughts cleared, Kouga lowered himself and moved to her side. They were both panting hard, but Kouga didn't want her to feel like it was over.

 

Her chest still heaving for air, Kagome felt herself being pulled into an embrace. She smiled and sighed out loud. Warm, happy, her mind and body satisfied, Kagome allowed herself to fall into unconsciousness. Kouga, though, wasn't sure what to do. He knew she was falling asleep, and had to make sure he was wanted.

 

“Kagome,” he said, pushing a few sweaty strands from her face.

 

“Hmm?” she said without opening her eyes.

 

“Kagome, are you going to want me here in the morning?” he asked, his body tense.

 

She opened her eyes at this. “Do you have somewhere to be?” she asked guardedly.

 

“No,” he said, scowling. “But I don't want to be here and you feel awkward and wish I had gone home.”

 

“No, no, honey. I don't want you to go. I can go into work any time tomorrow, so you can stay,” she reassured him, stroking his face as she spoke.

 

“Oh, ok. I have a meet in the early afternoon, but I can stay,” he told her, holding her tighter.

 

Kagome snuggled close. Then…

 

“Speaking of which, Kouga…” He lifted an eyebrow in question. “Where do you live? Where's home?”

 

He chuckled.

 

“I have my own place south of here,” he told her.

 

“Oh, so you come here for classes?” She yawned.

 

“And to train,” he said, catching the virus that is yawning.

 

And Kagome wrapped her arms around him and squeezed weakly just before she fell deep into sleep.

 

Kouga listened to her breath for a moment, reveling in the fact that he had met such an amazing woman. But he was sleepy, too. Feeling the air conditioning kick into gear, Kouga used the last of his energy to pull Kagome into his arms, tuck her under her sheets, and climb in, securing her in his arms.

 

*****

 

Kagome yawned.

 

She was still sleepy and didn't want to get up - it was barely light out. She felt a weight around her waist and opened her eyes. She was pleasantly surprised to see the tall, dark, and handsome Kouga sleeping next to her, using her as his personal teddy bear. And she remembered.

 

Her veins suddenly burned with desire at the remembrance of what had taken place last night. Off-handedly, she wondered if she had gotten any stains on the comforter.

 

“Ready to go again, are we?”

 

She heard a husky, lazy voice creep into her ear, accompanied by a few nibbles.

 

She turned to look him in the eye. “How would you know that?” she asked, exasperated.

 

He tapped his nose. “Youkai.”

 

“Oh, that's right,” she said, feeling left out. “Wait… does that mean that every time…”

 

He nodded.

 

“And just now…”

 

He smirked.

 

She blushed and turned away.

 

“Oh, come on. It's nothing to be ashamed of. I promise not to use it against you. I'll ask every,” he paused here to kiss her neck, “time,” nibble, “I feel,” kiss, “that you,” scrape, “want me.”

 

Kagome giggled and pushed him away. “It's not fair,” she pouted.

 

“Fare is for cab drivers. Besides, the nose comes in handy for other things, too.”

 

“Really? Like what?” she asked, interested.

 

Kouga paused to collect his thoughts. “Like… sometimes we know if someone's sick before they do,” he began.

 

Kagome seemed amazed and he felt proud. “And of course, we can predict the weather. And sometimes danger. And other youkai, of course.”

 

“Danger?” she smirked. “Like… Spidey Sense?”

 

Kouga laughed. “Sorta. It's hard to describe.”

 

“Well, useful or not, I don't need you… sniffing me every five seconds,” she told him, faking huffiness.

 

“Maybe not…” he drawled, “but you smell so damn good,” he bit her earlobe and suckled her neck, and she whimpered.

 

Her scent spiked, and he couldn't resist. He was already attentive, and now she was ready, too. Kagome moaned and turned her face towards his, and he collected her lips in a kiss. They worked themselves up, and soon Kouga was inside her. Passionately, they took their time. Neither was in a hurry, and it was a great morning. After a few minutes, Kagome suggested a change in plans.

 

“Mmm… Kouga?”

 

He stopped mid-thrust, making her groan with the loss of movement, but she recollected her thoughts.

 

“Let me be on top,” she managed. She felt him pulse involuntarily inside her at the request.

 

“If that's what you want,” he said, wasting no time by rolling and pushing her up.

 

Kagome moaned with the sensations the movement created and was excited to be in a new position. She started slowly, making small, up and down movements. Kouga panted beneath her. When she began to feel the telltale signs of her orgasm building, she began grinding her hips on his, and he groaned in pleasure. She was already close.

 

“Oh, yes… right there,” she said to no one in particular, grinding faster.

 

She was propped on her hands, giving Kouga free reign of her breasts. He leaned up, grasping a nipple between his teeth and letting a fang scrape it. It reacted strongly, hardening to the point of pain.

 

“Oh, yeah,” she cried.

 

And then, Kouga surprised her. Quickly, he pushed her up until she was sitting on him, cowgirl-style. The penetration was so deep that Kagome gasped in pleasure. He moved his hips up, and she was shocked at the feeling. She ground into his hips as they met hers, and she felt herself moving quickly towards completion.

 

“Oh my GOD,” she cried, “I'm gonna…”

 

“Good,” Kouga grunted, “because I can't hold out any longer.”

 

And for Kagome, the world went black and was filled with tiny stars as her muscles contracted around Kouga, making him follow her into bliss.

 

Again, they lay in bed, panting and holding each other. And they fell asleep quickly, not worried about where they had to be, or what essay had to be written.

 

After a few hours, Kouga was the one to wake first. He stretched, thinking he had never been more satiated in his life. Kagome was fast asleep. He smiled, watching her breathe lightly. She was on her stomach, her hand next to her face on the pillow and her raven locks splashed around her. He noticed the clock behind her on the nightstand. It was ten. And it was about time he get going. His meet was at eleven, but he would have no trouble if he started now. Before he finished his thought, a soft melody intruded on the silence of the room. Kagome didn't stir. He found the source of the noise - Kagome's cell phone.

 

He didn't recognize the ringtone - it was a slow, sexy sound with a gruff voice - but he definitely recognized the name.

 

Inuyasha.

 

Growling, Kouga wanted to throw the phone at the wall. But it looked expensive, and he knew the girl would be upset with him. But he didn't want his woman hanging out with that mutt!

 

He silenced it, and as he placed it back on her night table, Kagome's eyes fluttered open.

 

“Hey,” she said groggily as she blinked at him, smiling.

 

“Hey there,” he smiled back.

 

“We fell asleep again, huh?” she asked, attempting a laugh, but it came out like more of a cough.

 

“Yeah,” he said, chuckling. “But, I have to go. My meet is soon.” He began to lift the comforter off him.

 

Kagome playfully reached for him. “Nooooo,” she whined. “Don't go,” she pouted.

 

Kouga's will actually wavered, and debated staying in bed.

 

Kagome noticed this, frowned, and pushed him softly. “I'm kidding. Go. I know it's important. Anyways, I have to get to work, too.”

 

He knew she was right. He began to get up, stark naked.

 

“Er… how did I not notice that?” she asked, shocked.

 

He looked over his shoulder and followed her line of sight.

 

“Oh, my tail? Well, you weren't really behind me after I took off the spell…”

 

“Oh,” she said simply.

 

He frowned. “Does it bother you?”

 

“No, silly. I'm just amazed, and I couldn't believe I didn't notice it before,” she giggled.

 

He had no problem believing her. If Kagome was anything, she was honest.

 

“Um…”

 

“Hmm?” Kagome answered.

 

“Is it okay if I use your shower?”

 

“Of course it's fine,” she said. “The towels are on the shelf. I'll take mine after you leave,” she told him, stretching.

 

He smiled at her one last time, then entered the bathroom and started the shower.

 

Kagome didn't think she could be any happier. Well, it would have been better if she had a roommate to run and tell everything to… That's right! What was she going to do? She had been so caught up in school, work, boys, and sleeping that she hadn't figured out what she was going to do about a roommate. She couldn't ask Sayuri. Her Japanese girlfriend would take it as an insult to ask her to move in only after Nikki moved out. And she just couldn't replace Nikki with a stranger. But she really didn't know anyone else. There was no way she was asking Kouga. They had just started seeing each other - they weren't serious. Besides, he had his own place. Inuyasha had his own place, too, but she knew little about it.

 

For some reason, though, the prospect of living with Inuyasha didn't sound as disconcerting as living with Kouga. Yes, she was satisfied and satiated. Yes, he was a great guy and a great lover. But did she really want it to go any further? She couldn't see herself watching stupid movies with him. Or dancing. In reality, the only thing they had done together was jog and fuck. Now, Kagome was disturbed. Had it been necessary for her brain to ride that train of thought? Her morning had been going so well…

 

Well, where was I? Oh, yes. I have no idea what I'm going to do for money. I'll only be with the law firm for about two weeks - Sesshoumaru and I have made great progress. And then what? That money will run out quickly, with me paying the rent by myself. Ok, this wasn't what I had in mind for `pleasant morning after' either. So… before the rent thing… Oh, right! I need someone to dish to!

 

Reaching for her phone, she looked in her recent calls list for Nikki's number. But when she saw the list, Inuyasha was at the top, which wasn't correct. Her last conversation had been with her mother, who had called her between classes yesterday. She opened up the menu and clicked on `get details'. It showed that it was a missed call, and it had only been less than ten minutes ago. How did she miss it? Well, she had been sleeping, but usually if it keeps going, she would wake to it eventually…

 

She heard Kouga turn off the shower.

 

Kouga.

 

Could he have ignored the call? She knew Inuyasha's ringtone. If it had gone off for more than ten seconds she would have woken up for sure. Disturbed, Kagome called out to her wet male friend.

 

“Hey, Kouga?”

 

“Yeah, what's up, babe?” he answered.

 

That tweaked Kagome. Scowling, she continued. “Did my phone ring earlier?”

 

“Uh…” There was a pause, and Kagome thought for a second that he might lie. “Yeah, it did. I didn't want to wake you.” He sounded remorseful, but Kagome had had experience with a lot of different guys, and wasn't fooled.

 

“Uh, ok. But just so you know, it was an important call. It was ok to wake me,” she informed him.

 

“Ok, sure,” he called out, not sounding half as sorry as he had a few seconds ago.

 

Kagome had the distinct impression that he was a fast-mover. They had spent some time together and had sex, and now Kouga assumed they were closer than they were.

 

Great, Kagome thought. Now I'm going to have to have `the talk' with him. Later.

 

Kagome, not bothering to get dressed since she was going to get in the shower, walked into the bathroom as Kouga was exiting.

 

“Well, hot stuff,” he said with a sly grin, “I guess I'll see you later.”

 

“Well, not tonight,” she said, only half-sorry. “I'm not sure how late I have to work.”

 

“Oh. Okay,” he said, feeling rejected.

 

“Hey, put your number in my phone. If it's not too late, I'll give you a call.” She smiled at him as she re-started the shower and hopped in, sliding the door shut.

 

“Honey, it's never too late for you to call me,” he told her, heading for her phone.

 

Oh, lovely. We're in pre-stalker, Phase One, she told herself. Next stop, Psychoville!

 

Kouga programmed his number into her phone, but since she was in the shower, he felt there was no harm in looking around a little. He went through her contacts, finding mostly girls, professors, and family. But a few names stood out. He had already known Inuyasha was going to be in there, but a little further he found a `Jason'. Then, almost at the bottom of the list, Sesshoumaru. Angry and wishing he hadn't looked, Kouga cleared the menu's on the phone, sending it back to its' main page. Growling, he put the sidekick on the small table and went about finding his scattered clothes to dress.

 

“Hey, I'm leaving,” he called out. “Have a good day.”

 

He began to walk out of the room, willing his fangs and claws to recede and chanting the spell that bound his youki, allowing the tips of his ears as well as his tail to disappear.

 

“Okay, good luck with track,” she shouted.

 

Trying to smile at her statement, Kouga left.

 

*** **

 

Of course, it was Saturday afternoon, so traffic was even worse in Miami than during rush hour. Kagome attempted to zip through traffic, but most of the time it didn't move enough for her to do so. It was the beginning of October, and people were already bustling about, getting ready for Halloween and the Holiday season that ensued. It was hot out, but instead of the air conditioning, Kagome had put down the windows and opened the convertible top.

 

She felt good, possibly-psychotic sexcapades notwithstanding. She had no regrets. So when she had gotten dressed, she opted for `fun' instead of her usual professional self. She had thrown on a tank top, short shorts, knee-high softball socks, and her favorite Converse. While she was in the shower, she had thought about going shopping afterwards. After all, it may be the last time she goes shopping in a while…

 

She had rushed through the shower, excited about her day. She even skipped washing her hair, since it would take extra time to dry it. As it was, her hair was in a high ponytail. Now, the bright sun was shining on her, the wind was whipping around her, and she was getting the occasional look from men in other cars. Finally pulling into the parking lot, Kagome noticed the tell-tale black Chrysler. Suddenly, she felt nervous, and stupid for wearing her `fun' clothes. She should have worn something more professional… Okay, now she sounded like her jii-chan.

 

After she got out of the car, she noticed a man leaving the building. He was dressed sharply, and he was heading for a yellow Hummer. He looked around as he fished his keys from his pocket, noticing Kagome walking into the office. He ran to her.

 

“Miss! Hey, Miss!” she heard behind her.

 

Kagome whirled to find the man she had just seen leaving walking towards her. “Me?” She pointed at herself.

 

The man laughed. “Sorry, yeah. Listen, don't take this the wrong way, but you're hot.”

 

Now Kagome laughed as the man looked through his wallet for something. Great, another business card for my loser pile, she thought.

 

“This is my card. Name's Anthony Bordacio. I own this place.” He pointed to the card. “If you ever need the money or need a job, give me a call. I'll find room for you,” he said, grinning. Then he abruptly turned and walked away.

 

Kagome raised an eyebrow in question of the man. She wondered if he did that often, offering jobs to pretty girls. Then, as she walked into the building, she looked at the card. Apparently, he did.

 

`Anthony Bordacio, Owner

 

Summertime, A Gentleman's Club

 

305-596-….'

 

Oh my god! He was a strip club owner! And he wanted me to work for him! The thought disgusted her at first. The thought of all those greasy men pawing at her, giving lap dances, coming home smelling like alcohol and cigarettes… But then:

 

Could I be a stripper? Am I that desirable? He said he would make room for me if he had to. That means he really wanted me to join them.

 

Kagome shook her head, wondering if the sex had cut off too much blood to her brain. There was no way she was going to become a stripper. She wasn't that desperate for money.

 

She tucked the card into her tiny black purse and made her way to the office. She passed one of the paralegals she knew and asked about this `Anthony Bordacio' man. She was told that he was suing a patron over some damage done to his bar and the Cohen brothers had come to meet him on a Saturday because he had no other time for it. For them to miss one of their days off to meet this guy, it meant he was a respected client. It also meant he was paying out of his ass for this.

 

Sesshoumaru had felt her presence when she entered the building, but she hadn't come into the office immediately. Perhaps she was hesitant because he was here? Maybe she didn't want a repeat of their last encounter… The thought sent little skitters of anticipation up his spine. Either way, she would come to him. So he went back to work, and awaited her arrival. He felt her walking towards him, and his pulse quickened. She stopped right outside the door. He held his breath. She walked in. He took in her outfit. He kept holding his breath, staring. She smiled sheepishly and greeted him. He finally let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding. And when he inhaled again, he wished he hadn't been breathing at all.

 

Youkai.