InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Corporate Deception: Fate of Her Land ❯ Three Strikes, You're Out ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Corporate Deception: Fate of Her Land
Chapter 6: Three Strikes, You’re Out
By: TruSuprise

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all affiliated characters belong to Takahashi Rumiko. The views expressed herein are solely those of TruSuprise.
Additional Disclaimer: This story is rated R and is intended for mature audiences. This chapter contains lemon content. If you disapprove of such materials, please stop reading.






As Sango and Miroku went about their duties at her shrine, Kagome caught up on some… paperwork. She chuckled at the idea before popping a potato chip into her mouth as she lay hunched over on the floor, leafing through a magazine. Focusing on an article about popular voice actor, Yamaguchi Kappei, an old Ayumi Hamasaki cd played in the background.

Her mind wandering, she wondered if Inuyasha and Kouga had managed to kill each other yet. She didn’t fully comprehend the situation between the Ookami, the Inu and the Neko clans, but she hoped that between them, they could rectify the situation.

The next salty chip was midway enroute to her mouth when she suddenly paused, feeling a nauseous, almost foreboding sensation that wasn’t too unfamiliar. The feeling was soon followed by a soft knocking that came from outside the shrine office.

The young miko quickly hopped to her feet, stashed the potato chip bag, dove for the cd player remote. Turning the music off, she shoved the magazine underneath her knees, kneeling on top of it before she replied to the call. “Come in.” She said calmly.

The shoji door slid open slowly, revealing the hanyou she knew to be Naraku Onigumo.

The memory of the conversation she had shared with Inuyasha in the Goshinboku nights ago came to the front of her mind. Perhaps Inuyasha was right and this man wasn’t all he seemed. He appeared nice enough, very patient, persistent, calm and collected. Kagome had wanted to like the man, but there was an odd restfulness about him, as though he were waiting to unleash some unnamed power.

Kagome told herself to stop looking too deeply as she greeted the hanyou. After all, it was never good to judge a person before you truly knew them. “Naraku-sama.” She greeted him warmly. “It’s good to see you.”

Naraku’s hanyou senses screamed at him and he faltered momentarily before following etiquette and bowing from the waist. The woman smelled like Inuyasha. His scent and his being were imprinted all over her and if she was even aware of it, then she certainly didn’t seem to mind.

Naraku forced his torso upright. “I was in the area and decided to stop by to greet you.” He said as he sauntered over to the low table and kneeled down across from the miko. “I take it you met my assistant, Kikyou, the other night?”

Kagome smiled a false smile, knowing he was in bed with the woman as she fished around the piles of paper on the desk. She pointedly ignored the fact that Naraku didn’t feel it necessary to acknowledge the fact that she and Kikyou were related. “I did, and I have her proposal right here.”

Naraku eyed the manila envelope, still in it’s sealed position. The damn woman hadn’t even opened it. He tried his hardest to keep any trace of displeasure from leaking to his features.

“You’ll have to excuse me, Naraku-sama, I haven’t even opened it.” Kagome began, looking at him with her big, brown eyes. “You offers are very generous, and I can only imagine what this envelope holds, but the bottom line is that I just can’t sell this property. It means too much to my family to keep the Shinto tradition alive, no matter the amount of money offered.”

For a moment, Naraku wished to strangle the woman by her neck with his own bare hands. Most of her family was dead, it was only her useless morals keeping her from accepting his more than generous offer. “Please, humor me and open the envelope.” Naraku pushed.

Kagome nodded, she could at least do that much. She slipped her index finger underneath a corner and pulled her finger lengthwise, breaking the seal and separating the flap from the envelope. She pulled out the precisely folded papers and opened them.

As she perused the new proposal, Kagome was interested at the shift in Naraku’s tactics. He had ditched the premise of building an apartment building on the shrine grounds and was willing instead to keep the property as a historical shrine. The proposal outlined details for an entire overhaul of the old buildings and refurbishing the shrine grounds. The pictures attached showed artfully rendered images of what the shrine could look like. It was beautiful, but she couldn’t help but notice the plan was not too different from Inuyasha’s, the main difference being that she wouldn’t be co-owner of the land. .

She sighed, setting the papers back onto the desk. “Naraku-sama, this is a wonderful plan you’ve laid out, but…” Kagome paused, almost as though she was making her decision that very moment. “I think I’ve already decided to accept the plan offered to me by Inu Properties and Preservation. I’ve been working with them for a month now, and I’ve enjoyed their services. The money you’ve offered me is tempting to say the least, but it would not be the right thing to do after I’ve worked toward a similar goal with the Taisho’s company for over a month.”

Naraku couldn’t believe the naivety of this woman. Here he was, handing her an opportunity that no one else would ever have, and she was turning it down for a second time based solely on a set of antiquated values no doubt fed to her from childhood. Silently, he cursed Sesshomaru and his company. They had more experience with historical sites and had won her over easily, knowing what she’d be looking for in the first place.

Apparently, he’d have to do things the hard way.

“I understand, Higurashi-san.” He answered understandingly. “But, do not forget about your little brother, he will be starting college next month, correct? I think I heard that he was accepted into Waseda University? My, an Ivy League school at that. I highly doubt that any proposal offered to you other than my own can cover that bill as well as pay for your own daily expenses.” He said evenly, stacking the papers neatly.

Kagome looked away as Naraku focused on a point that had plagued her ever since Souta had entered high school. The hanyou was right, but she didn’t want to admit it. For all the help she had received from Inu Properties and Preservations, she was still unable to pay for the entirety of Souta’s upcoming school bills, not to mention all the additional money he would need to get by.

“Before I retract my offer, I will give you more time to think it over, just in case Inu Properties and Preservations isn’t what you think it to be.” Naraku said coolly. When Kagome looked at the man with a confused expression, he leaned forward slightly and spoke quietly. “Do not believe everything that hanyou, Inuyasha tells you, Kagome.” That said, Naraku stood and bowed politely once more before, walking out of the shrine office.

Kagome watched the dark haired man leave, wondering over his warning which didn’t sound too different from Inuyasha’s own.

* * *

Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Kouga all ran at their top speeds. The Lord of the Western Lands seemingly flew from side to side, disappearing and reappearing every so often, as though he were phasing between points. His brother moved with bounding hops, covering most of the distance in the air. The Lord of the Northern Lands all out sprinted, a tornado of dirt spinning at his feet which continuously pounded the earth he ran on.

Kouga still wondered why the Western Lord had bothered to show his face. This was between he, Inuyasha and the Neko-Youkai. Sesshomaru had said nothing, save that Inuyasha was not responsible for the allegations held against him and that he had his own bone to pick with his clan’s ancient rivals. In the back of his mind, Kouga worried that he might be being led into a trap laid by the Inu-Youkai built to assassinate him and throw his lands into turmoil. Without him in place as their leader, the Northern Territories would be ripe for the picking. The fact that he had no successor was an alarm that blared loudly in the space between his pointed ears.

Inuyasha’s mind was awash in turmoil of its own. Between the confrontation with the Neko-Youkai soon to come, Kikyou showing up out of the blue, and a strange, almost itching desire to get back to Tokyo and be with Kagome, he felt he was being torn into three pieces. He only hoped his brother had the bargaining skills needed to bail them out of the Neko-Youkai threat. Not that they were a threat physically, he could easily pound the cats into the ground. The problem would be the repercussions he’d have to deal with afterwards in the eyes of the Youkai Council, for not only would he have attacked those weaker then him for no reason, but there would have been no proof that he hadn’t ordered them to attack the Northern Lands. It would look very suspicious.

Sesshomaru seethed. Between his heated encounter with Kagura, his brother giving away secrets, and now the disgusting cats attacking the equally repulsive wolves, under what was said to be his brother’s orders, Sesshomaru was ready to unleash his frequently felt, yet seldom displayed rage. But above all, one thought stood out above all others, the reason behind Kagura’s betrayal. He didn’t know him by name, but already he could smell the stench the cur had used to mark his woman with. He would never forget that scent.

The two Taisho brothers came to a skidding halt as the tornado that was Kouga abruptly stopped in front of them. “We’re here.” The Northern Lord said, a scowl on his face. As the three feline leaders approached the canine group, Kouga grit his teeth and began to make introductions. “Touran-sama, Shuuran-sama, Karan-sama, we three have come here to-”

Before Kouga had barely begun, Sesshomaru had launched himself at Shuuran, the large, round male, pinning him to the ground despite the feline’s size and girth. “You filthy bastard!” Sesshomaru roared. “You marked my bitch against her will!”

Shuuran’s siblings were ready in offensive positions, obviously wanting to attack, yet afraid for their lives to confront the great Inu-Youkai. Even Inuyasha was frozen in shock as he realized this massive Neko-Youkai was the reason that Kagura had turned his brother away. He wondered if he should pull his brother off the helpless youkai, but as he saw Sesshomaru’s eyes turn crimson, he feared for his own life instead and let the Neko fend for himself.

The cat’s fat body shook underneath Sesshomaru, the Western Lord’s red, slowly elongating eyes reflected in his own.

“I know you are aligned with Naraku, scum, so I want you to look at that Inu-Hanyou over there and tell me who he is.” Sesshomaru growled, his voice calm yet deadly as he indicated his brother with his eyes.

“That’s Inuyasha-sama!” Shuuran yelped.

“And how do you know him?” Sesshomaru asked menacingly as his anger continued to take hold of him, his nose beginning to elongate to becoming more dog-like as his fangs grew longer and sharper each second.

“From the Youkai Council meetings!” Shuuran replied shakily.

Sesshomaru’s unamused glare bored into the submissive creature below him. “Is that all?”

“Yes! Yes!” Shuuran cried, a single tear rolling down the cat’s round cheeks to splatter in the dust.

“Is he the one who ordered you to cull the Ookami-Youkai under Kouga’s protection?” The Western Lord demanded.

Shuuran took a moment to respond, obviously torn. “N…no.” He finally answered.

Sesshomaru’s claws began to tear through the furs covering Shuuran’s body, stopping as they pierced the cat’s thick flesh, the sharp tips burying themselves an inch into his skin as small pools of coagulating blood erupted from his chest. “Then who gave you your orders?” Sesshomaru roared.

As Shuuran summoned the courage to respond, tears began to freely roll down his cheeks, his face trembling. “It was the Lord of the Southern Lands…Naraku! Naraku Onigumo!”

Inuyasha and Kouga exchanged surprised, yet understanding glances at the turn of events. Inuyasha’s brows furrowed as he thought. It was obvious that Naraku was purposely trying to defile his name and create a rift between his clan and the Ookami-Youkai. The plot made sense, as it would be easier for Naraku to attack their respective lands when they were busy fighting with each other. His hate for the power hungry dark hanyou deepened even further as he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.

The other two Neko-Youkai siblings dropped their weapons to their sides numbly and looked at each other, clearly upset. It was obvious that they had not known the true natures of their orders either. Touran approached her little brother, carefully staying far enough away from the halfway transformed Western Lord. “You mean to tell me that you lied to us and our orders came from someone other than an Inu-Youkai?” She asked.

“I-” Shuuran began.

Touran wouldn’t allow him to continue, cutting him off quickly. “You were working behind our backs for Naraku? After we agreed that once we achieved our clan’s freedom from the Inu-Youkai we would never be slaves to another again?”

“Sister, please listen to me!” Shuuran pleaded. “He promised our clan power and wealth should we carry out his orders!”

“He promised our clan or he promised you?” Touran snapped. “That hanyou is evil and not to be trusted. You have put us all at risk.” The Neko leader forced herself to look away from her younger brother, coolly eyeing the one that held him at mercy. “Sesshomaru-sama, Shuuran is yours to do with as you see fit. He is no longer a member of our clan. Exile for one of us is the same as death.”

The Neko-Youkai’s subtle request to murder the one who had defiled his would-be mate made Sesshomaru’s youkai blood boil. At almost three quarters of the way transformed already, his youki spilled from his body. It had been a long time since he had felt the blood of another on his claws.

The body of the Western Lord suddenly rose to a great height as he crouched on all fours and began to turn to his true form when suddenly, a single image shot across his dark thoughts. Rin. His adopted daughter would be very upset. How would she feel knowing her father had murdered a living being? She would never allow him to hug her with those hands again. Though the thought made him feel weak, he wondered if killing this disgusting creature would change the fact that Kagura had been taken against her will.

His body reluctantly shrunk back to its humanoid form and the Lord of the Western Lands fell to his knees, all his features restored. Shuuran still trembling in a fetal position on the ground, he slowly stood and turned to Touran and Karan. “He is yours to exile. And your freedom is granted. The Inu-Youkai have long had no use for you. It is time to end this ridiculous hatred. I expect that you will be leaving these lands immediately.”

Touran and Karan each respectively bowed to the Western Lord. Karan then pulled a long chain from a pile on the ground and secured it around her brother’s neck harshly. Despite their family ties, the defector brother would be put to death.

Realizing that Sesshomaru had already left the clearing, Kouga and Inuyasha had to jog to catch up.

* * *

Taking a breather underneath the Goshinboku, Sango leaned her back against Miroku’s as she chugged the last of her iced coffee. The sun was beginning to set on the Higurashi Shrine and what was left of the cherry blossoms, a full week past their peak bloom, floated to the ground in a lackadaisical dance repeated yearly since the beginning of time.

“Miroku? What do you think is going to happen?” Sango asked quietly, unsure of herself.

The houshi looked to the sky thoughtfully, enjoying the woman’s warmth radiating through his back. “Well, we could get married immediately, but let’s wait at least a year for the first of our children. I figure I’ll need at least that long to get my finances in order to buy you a house, and-”

“Houshiiiii-samaaaa…” Sango’s voice threatened.

Miroku could feel Sango shaking behind him, no doubt she was blushing deep crimson in embarrassment by now. ‘If only she would understand that I’m not kidding!’ Miroku moaned to himself.

“I was referring to Kagome and her land in the middle of the power struggle.” Sango said between clenched teeth.

Miroku sighed as he forced his mind to get back on track. “I just don’t know. I expected more of a fight out of Naraku, but he hasn’t been very aggressive in pursing Kagome it seems. I’m surprised he hasn’t tried anything more drastic.”

Drastic?” A disembodied voice called from beyond the horizon before revealing Kouga’s brown haired head as he approached the apex of the stairs. ”You mean as in convincing the Neko-Youkai to attack my clan under Inuyasha’s alleged orders?”

The houshi and the taiji-ya both stood at attention as the unlikely combination of Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Kouga reached the top of the shrine steps. They ran to meet the trio of youkai.

“You mean-” Sango began.

“Yeah, it was all a plot by Naraku to try to ruin my name and start a war between the Western and Northern Territories.” Inuyasha said grumpily as he relayed the story to his friends.

After learning the details, Miroku looked at Inuyasha with concern. “We need to tell Kagome.” He insisted.

“Absolutely not.” The sharp, authoritative voice of Sesshomaru pierced through Miroku’s statement as he pointed his thumb towards his half brother. “This dumb half breed here has already gotten in enough trouble for opening his big mouth. Kagome is to be kept in the dark about this before Naraku simply wins the land by default in the eyes of the Youkai Council. Do I make myself clear?”

“But Kagome is in danger if she doesn’t know just how dangerous Naraku is!” Kouga exclaimed, pounding his fist into his palm.

Inuyasha suddenly looked up, haunted as though he had seen a ghost. He had always known her property was in danger, but it had never occurred to him that Kagome herself could be too. He turned to his brother, growling. There was no way he’d allow her to be in harm’s way.

“I said no.” The Western Lord barked, pinning Inuyasha to the spot with his glare alone. “Besides, Inuyasha, I have no doubt you will protect her and keep her safe.”

“Keh!” Inuyasha exclaimed, his ego forcing himself to perform a complete one eighty in front of his friends. “What makes you think I’d go through that trouble for that woman, anyway?”

Kagome’s light-hearted voice suddenly called out from a distance. “Hey, you guys are back!”

As the woman quickened her pace, jogging to meet the group, all the thoughts previously plaguing her mind regarding Naraku and Inuyasha vanished as soon as her eyes rested on the Inu-Hanyou. All the worries and uncertainties dissipated as they locked eyes for a brief moment before they both reluctantly dismissed each other in a huff.

As the crowd made room for Kagome at the top of the stairs, guilty smiles were displayed and choked words were swallowed among the five conspirators. Looking at her out of the corner of his eye, Inuyasha noticed Kagome’s cute short, lilac skirt and white sweater, his stomach twisting at the sudden, compulsive urge to gather her up into his arms and take off with her. He didn’t know where he’d take her, and he didn’t know why he’d felt it, but there was no stopping it and no ignoring it. The only thing he knew for certain was that the urge was stronger than anything he’d ever felt.

As Kagome’s eyes fell on a youkai she didn’t recognize, she almost dropped her bottle of soda over how much he resembled Inuyasha. He stepped towards her, his long, silver hair flowing behind him. His golden eyes were so like the Inu-Hanyou she knew so well that Kagome almost allowed herself to get lost in their depths.

“You must be Higurashi Kagome-san. This Sesshomaru is pleased to meet you.” The Inu-Youkai introduced himself in a deep voice as he bowed from the waist.

‘He’s so unlike Inuyasha!’ Her mind screamed at her as she examined the polite, well-mannered youkai. “You must be Inuyasha’s brother.” Kagome said shyly.

“Half brother.” Inuyasha clarified grumpily, refusing to make eye contact with either of them.

Sesshomaru glared at his younger sibling. “Please pay no mind to this rude heathen.”

Kagome chuckled. “Oh, please. We all know Inuyasha is as harmless as a puppy.”

Inuyasha choked in surprise. No longer able to play cool and collected, he snapped and glared at Kagome. “Okay, you asked for it, little girl. That’s the third dog reference you’ve made in one day. Three strikes, you’re out!” He exclaimed, animatedly pointing at the young woman.

“Well I guess I can’t go anywhere seeing as how I’m on my property, so that means you’re out!” Kagome retorted.

Sesshomaru couldn’t help but shed a small, yet genuine smile at the strong, cheerful woman Inuyasha had chosen, even as he watched his brother about to fly off the handle. He noted the fire that radiated in Kagome’s aura as she argued with Inuyasha, her determination to not back down to his abrasiveness, and he couldn’t help but notice the poorly hidden passion she held for him behind her eyes. Yes, his brother had finally met his match.

* * *

Inside the house, Kagome and Inuyasha occupied the two farthest ends of the kitchen as everyone sipped hot tea. The chilly spring night air wafted through the open windows, a three-quarters waning moon shedding a luminescent light through the screens.

“So it was all a misunderstanding?” Kagome asked as Sesshomaru and Kouga recounted the story of stopping the Neko-Youkai from attacking Kouga’s clan.

“Yes. Apparently, one of their leaders was power hungry and simply falsely accused Inuyasha with the intent of starting a war. “ Sesshomaru said matter of factly before taking a sip of his tea.

Kouga nodded, although he despised lying, or in this case, withholding the entire truth. “But it’s alright now. We um… we talked things out and they returned to their lands, and Sesshomaru here even granted them their freedom.”

Sesshomaru snorted. “I had nothing to do with their slavery to begin with. That was nothing more than a foolish grudge that they held from centuries past to begin with.” He said simply.

As humans knew little of the inner workings of the youkai community, Kagome had felt out of the loop since she had been thrust in between all these amazing beings. Twenty questions sat on the tip of her tongue and she was about to ask one of them when Sesshomaru abruptly stood and bowed.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Higurashi-san. I do hope you will further consider my company’s proposal. We would be honored for you to be our client. I do expect to see you again, soon.” The Western Lord said politely, yet firmly.

Not waiting for her response, he turned to leave gracefully, pausing only a moment in the hallway to signal for his employees to follow. “I expect you will all follow me to allow Kagome to rest. It is getting rather late and you all have to be up early to work for our prospective client.”

Once Sesshomaru had exited the house, Sango and Miroku followed suit after saying their goodbyes. Inuyasha paused a moment longer, exchanging a glance with Kagome. Whatever was behind his eyes was unreadable, but he seemed unsettled.

With a scowl on his face, the hanyou finally turned and walked through the front door, but not before casting one last menacing meaning glare to Kouga. Amazingly enough, the Wolf Lord simply nodded as though he agreed. Kagome wondered at the meaning hidden behind their silent body language, and she couldn’t help but realize that Inuyasha had been terribly quiet ever since they had returned.

The riff-raff finally cleared out, Kouga placed his cup of hot tea on the counter and pulled a chair up to the kitchen table to sit next to Kagome. He leaned in to her with a lopsided smirk on his face. “So baby, it’s just you and me.” He said casually.

His cheesy line got a smile out of Kagome, but he quickly realized that she wasn’t in a joking mood, and not only that, he was surprised to find that neither was he. Things had changed, and it had nothing to do with the confrontation with the Neko-Youkai. Instead, it was a certain Inu-Hanyou. He realized if he were to have any chance to tip the scales to his favor and win this woman, he’d have to make his move now.

Standing up, Kouga offered Kagome his hand with a confident smile. “Let’s go for a walk, huh?”

Kagome returned the smile and followed him out of the house to walk the shrine grounds. Though the day had been warm, the night was cool, proof that the middle of spring still had its cold nights left to conquer. Kouga noticed the goosebumps that formed along Kagome’s long legs and eagerly slid off his leather jacket, wrapping it around the woman’s shoulders. The moon shone above them, three quarters full as it waned.

Approaching the Goshinboku, Kouga caught Kagome eyeing the tree fondly. “Big tree.” He said, casually, hoping Kagome would take the conversational bait.

“It’s probably older than you are.” Kagome guessed, knowing at the very least since she had met her new friends that youkai aged differently than humans.

Examining the great tree, Kouga could easily tell it was much older than him. At the very least, this tree was probably around when his father was a young child. “Are you calling me old?” He asked in mock annoyance. “Certainly this tree is older than two hundred and sixty three years.”

Kagome looked at him with wide eyes. “Is that really how old you are?”

The wolf Lord smiled at her. Of course she was naive in the way of youkai life expectancy, as most humans were. “Yep. Most of us physically age about one year for every ten we live.”

Kagome thought to herself as she tried to wrap her mind around living that long when her own twenty-four years had already felt like an eternity. “How old is Inuyasha?”

Kouga frowned at the slight blush Kagome displayed at the mention of the hanyou’s name. “He’s only two hundred and fifty years old.” He said, trying to keep any trace of bitterness from his voice.

“So that would make him twenty five.” Kagome pondered before her mind finally returned to Kouga. “So, what’s it like to be only twenty six and yet have over a century and a half’s worth of knowledge?”

The Ookami shrugged. “Never really thought about it before. I think I’ve seen more things than the average human, and I have knowledge about my own clan and society, but for the most part, I don’t think it’s any different than being a normal twenty-something guy.”

Kagome nodded her head as they slipped into a companionable silence, her mind wondering what Inuyasha had seen in two hundred and fifty years of life. Most youkai had never left Japan, so that would mean he had been alive through the World Wars, through industrialization, modernization, even the atomic bomb. Her mind reeled at the enormity of the thought.

Kouga shifted his weight from side to side. He could tell she was thinking about Inuyasha, and it didn’t make him happy. It seemed that no matter what he tried to talk about, the discussion always came back to him. He was loosing ground, and fast.

Slowly snaking his hand out, he rested his strong arm around Kagome’s shoulders hidden beneath his jacket. Feeling the woman freeze and turn to look at him, he saw a gentle longing in her eyes. Sadly, he realized she wasn’t longing for him.

He instantly retracted his arm, a sad smile pinching his lips. “You really like him, don’t you?”

“Huh?” Kagome asked, she had barely even heard the handsome youkai’s question.

Kouga smiled gently. “I said, you really like Inuyasha, don’t you?” He asked, a twinge of hurt lacing his voice.

The young woman instantly blushed, dark pink spreading across her features. “Of course not! Why would I like that arrogant-“

Kouga placed a large, rough hand around one of hers, marveling at the size difference. She could be so loud and commanding, but when it came down to it, she was really just a small, defenseless woman. He wished he could have been the one to protect her in the times he knew were to come.

He had known since they had first met that Kagome was not his chosen, but that did not lessen his feelings for her. He had held out hope for the past month that the obvious attraction between Inuyasha and Kagome was no more than a passing attraction, but deep in his heart, whether Inuyasha or Kagome themselves would own up to it, he realized that they were meant for each other. Not that he liked it, but he supposed he’d have to accept it.

Swiftly, he leaned towards her and planted a firm, yet gentle kiss on Kagome’s lips. He selfishly took a moment to inhale her vanilla scent as he memorized the feel of her soft lips on his own, knowing it to be both the first and last time it would ever happen.

Finally, he pulled away, and Kagome looked at him with wide, shocked eyes, her hand rising to her mouth. In those big brown eyes, Kouga saw too many emotions to name, but nowhere in their chocolate depths was there love for him.

“I’m sorry Kagome, I had to.” He said with a sigh. “I understand how much you love him, and I’ll honor that. But I want you to know, that no matter what happens going forward, I’ll be there for you. And for that ugly mutt, too.”

Kagome was speechless as the love stricken, yet resigned youkai turned and slowly walked away on the granite path. As she watched him disappear down the steps, she repeated his words to the cold night air. “Me… love Inuyasha?”

Her words falling on def ears, she was too confused to move an inch. She snuggled into Kouga’s jacket for warmth against the cold breeze as she asked herself what had gotten into the Ookami-Youkai.

But all she could think about was Inuyasha.

* * *

Kikyou screamed his name before collapsing on top of his torso, spent. After spilling his seed inside her body, he reached up to grab her shoulders, rolling her sweaty body off of his.

Silently, he walked into the bathroom, toweled himself off and draped a robe around his body before entering the living room and leaning back in his leather recliner.

The moonglow filtered in through the sheer curtains, painting the floor and walls of his apartment in light and shadow. Naraku turned the television on, the blues and whites of the screen flickering randomly. Not that he was watching what was on, television was such a human vice, after all. Instead, he gripped the remote in his hand so tightly that its flimsy plastic construction was ready to cry uncle.

Even his saimyoushou had taken cover from the rage building inside of him. Not that one could tell from his cool, calm exterior. Though if one were to look closely enough, a vein in his temple was protruding and thumping wildly.

Deep inside, the being that was still Onigumo seethed that Inuyasha had managed to get out of his plot unscathed, and that alone made him almost as angry as the fact that he was still yet to have the Shikon no Tama in his possession. If anything, his failed plot would only bring the Ookami and the Inu clans closer together, and to top things off, he had lost the chance to fully enslave the Neko-Youkai to his own will. They would have been useful body parts in the very least.

He frowned, knowing that Kagome and Inuyasha were growing closer by the day, and no doubt, their possible union would make his life that much more difficult. He had only one strategy left before he would resort to using his full youkai strength and taking what he wanted, what he rightfully deserved, by force.

As the collective youkai that had taken over Onigumo’s body and most of his mind regained its calm control, a plan to kill two birds with one stone developed in his dark mind. Quickly, Naraku grabbed the phone off the coffee table and contacted the first instrument of many to come for his elaborate scheme.

* * *

Inuyasha crept along the tree line bordering the Higurashi Shrine. It was slightly past midnight and he wasn’t in the mood to sleep, his cocky brother’s orders or not. The day had been long and certain conversations were at the forefront of his mind. The enormity of Naraku using the Neko-Youkai as puppets had passed, and now, all he thought about was the possibility that the dark hanyou might think to put Kagome in danger for the sole purpose of finding the jewel.

Naraku had so far shown no signs of ill intent towards the miko’s person, but Inuyasha certainly wouldn’t put it past him. The Inu-Hanyou realized he would not get any sleep that night until he had assured himself that she was safe in her bed.

Peering into the downstairs windows of the Higurashi house, Inuyasha saw Souta’s bedroom light still on, no doubt he was studying for his finals. Looking upstairs, he saw Kagome’s bedroom light on and he leapt into the branches of the trees to get a better view of her room. He could already pick up her scent that far away from the house, which assured him that she was at least near the house. He squinted his eyes as he searched her out.

Slightly worried that he didn’t see her in her room, he glanced back and forth to make sure no one was around before he threw himself onto Kagome’s windowsill for a closer look. Landing crouched on his toes in the small opening, he realized he had never before seen her room.

He took his time memorizing the details of the small, slightly crowded space. It seemed as though the room had been little redecorated since her high school days. Inuyasha guessed that had much to do with the responsibilities forced on her years ago.

A tiny lamp shed dim light on the little space. On her small bed, a thick pink and white comforter looked soft and inviting. He smirked at a small, white stuffed dog she had propped against her pillow. He idly wondered if she slept with it. The walls were fairly sparse, save a couple of posters of dated bands and a corkboard with some pictures of what looked like high school friends, judging by their uniforms. On her desk sat dusty volumes of textbooks, no doubt from when she had to quit college.

“Inuyasha?” Kagome’s voice came from somewhere below him.

Suddenly remembering that he had come here in stealth, the hanyou yelped, forgetting he was balancing on the second story windowsill. His claws scraped the metal and plaster of the roofing as he bounced on the lower living room roof below him and rolled off the edge, falling with a thud to the ground.

“Oh my god, are you okay? I’m so sorry!” Kagome cried, squatting down next to Inuyasha’s prone form sprawled out on the ground face first.

Through the pain, Inuyasha wondered why she was so worried for him when he had basically been caught spying. “I’m fine.” He grumbled, sitting up in an Indian style position. “That wasn’t what it looked like.”

Assuring herself that he was somehow unhurt from the long fall, Kagome arched an eyebrow. “You mean peeping into my room?” She asked cockily.

“Keh! I wouldn’t peep on you even if I got paid to do it, wench.” Inuyasha spat moodily.

When Kagome frowned at the hanyou, clearly peeved, Inuyasha sighed. How was it that every time he tried to be angry with the woman and simply ignore her, he lost control of his grumpy emotions for something less…familiar to him?

“Look… I just wanted to make sure Kouga had left you alone.” He said, crossing his arms grumpily. It wasn’t completely the truth, but it wasn’t a lie either.

“So you are jealous, aren’t you?” Kagome taunted, leaning closer to Inuyasha’s face.

Inuyasha faltered momentarily, his nose twitching, as he smelled the wolf prince in question on her, his scent still lingering around her body. Shaking his head, he summed it up to her being in his presence mere hours ago. “Keh! I am not.”

Kagome smirked. She’d just have to reassure him that Kouga had left, though she thought it better not to tell him what they had talked about, it would probably only make Inuyasha angry. She also realized she ought not to tell him the fact the he had kissed her, even though it had been because he had realized his defeat. “We… talked for a while, Kouga and I. But he left a while ago, so you can stop being jealo-”

As Kagome spoke, something inside Inuyasha snapped. The weight of the tiring, long day bore down on him, and even through all the other crises he’d had, from Naraku’s spies finding out he’d leaked secrets, to the threat of the Neko-Youkai, the only thing at the front of his mind had been this woman. Now here she was, just inches from him as they argued for no reason, when all he wanted to do was kiss her. Yes, he realized he wanted to kiss her and he realized almost detachedly that nothing was going to stop him. Not even himself.

Kagome was suddenly cut short by Inuyasha’s lips against her own. Apparently, it was his turn to surprise her.

Not counting the kiss Kagome had initiated in the branched of the Goshinboku, it had been years since Inuyasha had last pressed his lips to another’s and now, feeling Kagome’s lips against his own felt so right, so perfect. It was unlike anything he had ever felt with Kikyou, and he wanted nothing more than to experience more of it. Yet when he pulled away, he instantly reverted to their normal mode of communication, snapping at each other.

“I said I’m not jealous.” Inuyasha repeated, his brow crinkling as he looked into Kagome’s eyes so close to his. “As a matter of fact-”

Kagome wasn’t listening to his words after he had so blatantly and unceremoniously kissed her like that. Regaining her composure, she allowed her own true feelings for him to surface, and not unlike the way he attacked her, she returned the gesture, cutting him off by snaking her arms around his neck and kissing him with all that she had.

Dropping the angry façade that behind which he used to hide his feelings for Kagome, Inuyasha suddenly became serious, and pulled away from her, desperately wanting to tell her the truth behind the Neko-Youkai. He wanted to warn her that she might be in danger and to assure her that he would do everything he could to protect her. But looking into her blissful, happy eyes after their kiss, he thought it best not to worry her with it. The woman had enough to deal with without having to worry about a power hungry youkai too. He came to the conclusion that he’d keep his silence and protect her regardless.

Looking at his thoughtful gaze, Kagome noticed a desperate look in Inuyasha’s eyes, as though he was dying to say something. She disregarded it, pleased when instead of talking, he merely replied to her aggressiveness by tilting his head and returning her kiss. She could feel a wild, raw passion radiating from him, and with what little miko power she possessed, she felt his aura surrounding and enveloping her own. She liked the feeling, and quickly acknowledged that she wanted more.

When Inuyasha felt her aura respond to his own, he was so surprised that he almost pulled away from Kagome. The miko was tugging on his very soul and it drove him wild as he pulled her closer so that she was standing on her tippietoes. His claws slid under an unusually large jacket that was draped over her shoulders before sinking through the back of her sweater as he fisted his hands into the soft fabric. All words forgotten, the two concentrated instead on communicating their feelings they’d been keeping from each other for so long through their actions.

As Inuyasha licked the edge of her bottom lip seductively, asking for permission to enter Kagome’s mouth, his action drew a quiet gasp from her. The small sound of pleasure was enough to make him begin to fight for control, forcing himself to keep his hips still as he slipped his tongue into Kagome’s mouth, running it along her small teeth.

Following Inuyasha’s lead, Kagome snaked her tongue past his and into his mouth. Tracing the edge of an elongated canine, she felt its sharp edge with her tender tongue. She found herself wondering what it would feel like on her skin.

As though he had read her mind, Inuyasha traced his tongue along her jawbone and down to her neck, kissing her gently the entire way. Finally, he raked his canines across the soft, sensitive skin of her neck. Feeling the lithe girl in his arms shudder, his ego got a hearty boost as he sucked gently, leaving small, red marks each time he released her skin, only to continue again elsewhere on her neck.

Hearing her moan, the hanyou lost a fraction of his control, his hips slowly thrusting against hers, his growing erection pressing against his jeans.

Kagome’s breath caught in her throat. Feeling him pressing against her, she froze, shocked and suddenly unsure of herself.

Inuyasha noticed her hesitation and berated himself for losing his control and pushing her too quickly when all she had done was kiss him back. Hell, they were arguing at the time, and he wasn’t even sure what had made him decide to kiss her in the first place, and now here he was, dry humping the poor woman. His arms left Kagome’s waist and fell to his sides quickly as though he had been shocked with an electrical current. Though try as he did, he couldn’t tear his body away from hers.

Looking away from her, his bangs covering his eyes, he spoke brokenly, dejected. “I’m… Kagome… I shouldn’t have…”

“I… didn’t say I wanted you to stop, Inuyasha.” Kagome whispered.

Her voice was so soft that if it weren’t for his acute hearing, he would not have picked it up. Dimly, he noticed Kagome’s arms were still clasped tightly around his neck. “Then you…” He began, meeting her chocolate eyes.

Kagome sighed dramatically, successfully breaking the tense atmosphere. “God, Inuyasha, talk about embarrassing me, I’m just trying to say I don’t have much experience, okay?” She whined.

The blush on her face was irresistible to the hanyou, and he lightened up considerably, confident that he hadn’t pushed her too quickly. In fact, she had even admitted that she didn’t want him to stop at all. His lips returning to her neck, he boldly whispered, “I can teach you.”

Through the muscles in her neck, Inuyasha felt her nod her silent approval.

“Inuyasha?” She murmured, distractedly. When his golden eyes met her own, she pointed to her bedroom window.

The hanyou nodded, a pleased smile on his face that his bitch had asked him to take her back to her den. He shook his head. It was too early to be thinking things like that, hell, he shouldn’t even be having such Inu-Youkai thoughts for her period. With one swift motion, he swooped her off the ground, and with a bounding leap he had launched them into her bedroom through the open window he had previously fallen out of.

He led her to her small bed, nibbling on her lower lip as he backed her up slowly, the jacket that had rested on her shoulders falling to the floor in a heap. Once the back of her knees met the edge of the mattress, Inuyasha gently lowered her to the cushiony surface. Confirming that her pink and white comforter was, in fact, soft, they sunk into it as he gently leaned over, keeping most of his weight on one arm to prop himself up next to her body.

One hand caressed Kagome’s temple as he brushed her bangs away from her face, his claws lightly brushing her scalp as he slid his hand down towards her ear. He grasped the back of her head gently as their tongues danced together.

Finding courage and inspiration through Inuyasha’s movements, Kagome began to explore the hanyou’s body, drawing her fingers gently along the length of his back, feeling his finely developed muscles through the thin red t-shirt covering his back. Her fingernails lightly scratched the back of his neck with one hand, with the other, she felt goosebumps form on his arm from her gentle caresses.

She weaved her fingers into his thick, silver hair as her nails found his scalp, massaging gently. Her fingers traveled upwards along the silky strands, coming to rest on his furry, triangular ears. She felt him suck in air as she gently grabbed the base of each appendage, his chest pausing in the middle of a breath.

Tentatively, she stroked each ear, scratching slightly at the base before working her fingers around them. She smiled to herself when Inuyasha shuddered and dropped his head into her neck, nuzzling her soft skin. Realizing how much Inuyasha was enjoying himself, she reveled in the feeling of being pulled into him as she played with his ears, relaxing in his tight embrace.

Feeling her stop as her hands moved to explore his muscular shoulders, Inuyasha pulled his head from the crook of her neck after gently kissing her collarbone. A low growl reverberated in his throat as he caught Kagome’s calm gaze, their eyes meeting briefly in the dim light of the room.

He attacked her with renewed fervor, capturing her lips with his as his hand drifted lower, down to her shoulder, down to her waist, and then snaking back up to slowly cup her breast. Pausing momentarily to make sure Kagome wouldn’t object, he felt her subtle cues for him to continue as she arched her back slightly to meet his hand.

Cupping his hand around her breast, he realized it was perfect. Not too big and not too small, even for her petite frame. Kneading it softly for a moment before using his thumb and index finger to gently tweak the nipple, he felt her shudder in pleasure as she thrust her tongue into his mouth.

Cursing the thick sweater that kept him from her skin, he quickly snaked his arm underneath the fabric, feeling the warmth of her flat stomach before resting his cool fingers on the smooth silk of her bra. Pleased that her nipple was already standing at attention through the fabric, he gently pulled, eliciting a hushed moan from the woman underneath him.

Moving to tease the other nipple, he ran his claws along the exposed skin beneath her bra, careful not to extend the sharp weapons he held. Cursing all the clothing separating them, he pulled his hand back out to cup Kagome’s face. Looking her in the eyes, he silently asked her if he could remove the offensive piece of clothing by gently tugging on the end of her sweater.

She nodded, the blush that already danced across her cheeks darkening as she sat up her knees on the bed. Her hands traveling down to the hem of her shirt, Inuyasha stopped her from continuing. Seeing her confused expression, he whispered to her. “That’s my job.” He then grabbed the material and lifted it up, trailing his claws along her ribs as Kagome raised her arms to aid him in taking off the sweater.

Inuyasha’s hands traveled around her back, resting on the clasp of her bra. He looked at Kagome questioningly. Once she nodded her approval, he popped the clasp open quickly and efficiently. Pulling the silky material off her arms, he examined the half naked woman sitting in front of him as the dim light cast shadows over her body. ‘Beautiful.’ He said to himself.

Seeing her shiver slightly as a chill breeze snuck in through the window, he covered her body with his own, taking pleasure in the feel of her soft skin. Kagome reached up and felt the warmth in Inuyasha’s solid body so much larger than her own, basking in the feel of his weight on top of her.

Kissing her quickly on the lips, he started a trail of gentle kisses down her neck, past her collarbone, and to the space in between her breasts. Cupping one in each hand, he took a moment to enjoy the feel of the contrast between the smooth, soft skin and the taught, hard nipple.

As he lowered his mouth to her right breast, he heard Kagome suck in air as his tongue gently teased her nipple. His hands were ready as she arched her back to his touch, quickly snaking his arms underneath the small of her back to hold her to his mouth as he continued his assault. The sounds of her moaning in pleasure had struck him hard. It was obvious to him that he was pleasing her in a way that no one ever had, and that only drove him harder.

Unconsciously, he bucked his hips against Kagome and felt her respond by pressing her hips up to meet his. She parted her legs out of instinct, her skirt riding up as she continuously met his thrusts, Inuyasha’s mouth still pleasuring her breast.

Almost detachedly, Kagome realized that she had gone father physically in her relationship with Inuyasha in just a month than she had in all the years she had dated Houjo. And she realized that she was loving it.

It wasn’t long before Kagome felt a tight, growing sensation that she knew to be an orgasm building below her stomach, one that would far surpass any she had ever given herself. Kagome lost what little inhibition she had left as she quickened their pace, bucking her hips harder and faster, too frantic to think about shedding any more clothes. Pressing her silky underwear covered crotch into the bulge in Inuyasha’s jeans, she lost control as went over the deep end, squealing quietly and fisting her hands into Inuyasha’s hair, tugging gently.

As Kagome rode the last wave of her orgasm, Inuyasha lost control of his own desire to hold out, Kagome’s hips squeezing him and her clothed sex pressed into his covered hardness tipped him over the edge. Pushing himself into Kagome’s shuddering body, he bit back a grunt as he jerkily came for her.

Collapsing on top of her, his breath coming in ragged gasps, he rested his head on her collarbone and shifted his body to the side to keep his full weight off of her. They lay there in the silence, cooling off as they watched the shadows cast by the moon outside slowly begin to shift as the night wore on.

“We ought to clean up.” Inuyasha finally whispered, but was met with Kagome’s rhythmic breathing. He looked down at her sleeping face, so comfortable and angelic and wished he wouldn’t have to disturb her. But spending the night in the clothes they had soiled did not sound attractive to him, and he was sure she wouldn’t like it either.

He gently brushed her bangs from her face, whispering in her ear. “Kagome, wake up.”

When the girl merely snuggled closer to him and nestled her head against his neck, he sighed, wishing he could just let her sleep. His mouth next to her ear, he inhaled a breath. “Keh!” He barked.

Kagome woke up instantly, arms flailing, smacking Inuyasha in the face repeatedly. Realizing there was someone else in her bed and that she had no shirt on, she panicked, not remembering what had happened. Inuyasha threw his arms around her before she could make too much noise and wake up her brother downstairs.

“Shh, it’s just me, you nut.” He said, reassuringly.

Feeling his strong, and now familiar arms around her, Kagome relaxed, lying back down on the bed. “Didja have to do that?” She asked tartly.

Inuyasha grunted. “If you want to fall asleep in these sticky clothes, then no, by all means go back to sleep.”

Turning the idea over in her mind, Kagome realized he was right.

Feeling the chill air on her chest, she suddenly became acutely aware of her state of undress, a blush spread across her face. Inuyasha caught on, and covered her body with his. “You don’t have to be shy, you know.” He said, after a moment’s reluctance. Though they had shared such an intimate moment, he still had to fight his predisposition and instinct to be standoffish and bitter.

Kagome nodded, though in her mind, there were so many questions. How far would they have gone had it not been for her lack of experience and need for release? Would this change their friendship? Did this mean they were more than friends? Did Inuyasha actually like her, or was he just reacting to her own desire for him?

Most of all, she wondered if they would do it again.

Grabbing her sweater, Inuyasha handed it to her, turning it around so it would be easy for her to slip on. Standing up, a tight smile graced his face as he extended his hand to her. “Let’s get cleaned up, huh?”

After slipping the soft shirt on, she returned the smile and stood next to him. Silently, they crept down the stairs to the bathroom. Reluctantly, Inuyasha allowed Kagome to go first without him, though his Inu-Youkai instincts told him otherwise. They should be in there together, cleaning each other.

As he stood outside the bathroom, he wondered what this meant. He wondered if Kagome had feelings for him, or if she was just going along with what he wanted to do. He certainly had met women that were like that before, not that he had gotten around all that much, but Kagome didn’t seem like the type to hop into bed with just anybody, especially considering she had admitted to not having much experience.

Once they were finally cleaned up, the couple stood in the hallway, unsure and awkward. Inuyasha grumbled to himself as he tried to figure out a plan of action. ‘What do I say, thanks for a great time’? He asked himself, frustrated. A glance at Kagome proved that she was faring no better, unable to meet his gaze.

Finally, Inuyasha swallowed his pride and threw his arms around her. The last thing he wanted was for one night of foreplay to negatively impact their friendship, let alone their business relationship. Kagome was surprised at first, but quickly responded to his embrace, squeezing him back for all she was worth.

“Kagome I-“

“Inuyasha I-“

They both started at the same time. The embarrassingly funny moment shattered the tension and they both shared a quiet chuckle. “You first.” Kagome whispered.

“I want to stay with you. Tonight.” Inuyasha blurted out. Wishing he could smack himself for his tact and lack of subtlety, Inuyasha faltered. “What I meant was… What I mean is…”

“Inuyasha.” Kagome said quietly, understanding the meaning behind his jumbled words as she looked him in the eye. “Let’s get some sleep.”

The hanyou breathed a sigh of relief as Kagome clasped his hand in hers and led him back up the stairs.

* * *


Author’s Notes:

Okay, so this is where Kagome and Inuyasha get pretty OOC, so no flames, please. Face it, if these two characters who, in the original series, would never even admit they like each other were to finally get it on together, it would seem out of character there too. I’m only doing my best to bring them together while keeping their attitudes and personalities in tact, so please, bear with me!

Warning for the next chapter: Lemon ahead, and I mean real lemon, consider this chapter lemonade, or the appetizer, if you will. ^.~

Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out. I’ve been so busy lately! We just brought our 9 month old German Shepherd puppy to her first show last week and she ranked number nine female puppy in the nation! So I’ve been spending all my time training with her instead of writing. I promise it won’t be such a delay with the next chapter though. By the way, I feel it compelling to point out that if the Inu clan did hypothetically derive from a domestic dog (or perhaps, the other way around), I think it would be the Akita. I’ve heard some people mention the white German Shepherd, but the Akita makes more sense. Regardless of the fact that the Akita is a better fit since it is a Japanese breed, if it were the German Shepherd, Inuyasha would have HUGE ears! Just my two cents.