InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dog Skin ❯ You Were Meant For Me ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter Fourteen: You Were Meant For Me

 

She wasn't there.

 

The draped corner that acted as a pitiful excuse for the hime's room was empty, the girls scent slightly stale, as though she had not been there for some time. Kagura may not have the strongest nose in the demon society, but it was strong enough for her to know this.

 

Worry and distress kicked at the back of the wind witch's mind. She did not like not knowing where her charge was, and after hearing from servant gossip what had happened in the courtyard with the wolf prince the other day, she had become even more apprehensive. Then, not just half an hour ago, she had heard of the hanyou prince taking the blackened skinned servant to his bed. It had taken all of Kagura's will power not to hunt the cur down and set her wind blades on him. She needed proof before she killed him.

 

It was late into the night now and that the child was not in her own bed did not bode well. Kagura saw red as she turned to exit the darkened corner, only to pause at the creak of the stairs above her head. On instinct she wrapped the winds about her, hiding her scent as she stepped into the darkest corner, crouching down to become invisible. To be found in the servant's wing would cause awkward questions.

 

There was silence for a few moments, and then the curtains were pulled back to reveal the silhouette of a man. There was a dangerous growl before he crouched down and took a quick sniff of the bed linens, shooting back upright once the inspection was complete.

 

“She's not here again?” he said to himself. Kagura recognised the voice of the wolf prince, Kouga. “That bastards gonna pay if he's really taken her! He'll pay even if he hasn't. How dare he sully my woman's name!”

 

Kagura didn't care for Kouga all that much, but she had to agree with his sentiment. If the servant's whisperings turned out to be true, she would be sure to see that the hime was honoured and taken as a proper wife by Inuyasha-sama. That was, if everything worked out as she hoped it would with Naraku.

 

Another vicious growl escaped the wolf before with a sharp jerk he left, letting the curtain fall closed behind him. Kagura stayed crouched in her corner, unimpressed with Kouga's lack of thoroughness. Even after the stairs had stopped squeaking, Kagura remained in the darkness. She would not leave until she knew for sure that she would not be caught.

 

As she waited, she couldn't help but think about the approach of Naraku. Her anxiety increased with each day. She needed to find the hime and warn her, try to get her away from this place. She wouldn't be able to protect her, and though she suspected she would not be alone if it came down to it, she couldn't depend on ifs and maybes. Before leaving the room, she set a trigger that would send a warning to her in the form of wind carrying the scent of the intruder when the threshold was next crossed. She would know when the hime returned and be there to confront her.

 

***

 

Light had begun to drift through the screens. Inuyasha watched from his position against the wall as it slid over the darkened features of the servant girl who lay in his futon. He had woken not long ago, the awakening itself perhaps being one of the most enjoyable he'd ever experienced.

 

His nose had first been filled with a heavenly scent. It had a calming, comforting effect like none other had. It vaguely reminded him of how his mothers scent had made him feel long ago, but there was something more to it, something enticing, alluring. His hand had shifted convulsively and he'd felt something soft beneath his fingers. They'd moved more, downward with the growth, enjoying the feel as he'd followed the curve. He'd become aware of the fluff against his cheek and nuzzled into it, his body pressing tighter to the warmth beside him. A whisper of sound, much like a moan, had met his ears, causing them to twitch and swivel in surprise.

 

In a heartbeat he had been completely awake. In two he'd sprung away, letting go of the sleeping girl who had been wrapped in his arms. With his heart racing and eyes wide, he'd watched her as she rolled over, her arms stretching and body arching before she'd settled down again. She'd been facing him then with a slight smile on her lips, though her eyes had remained closed, sleep still having a hold over her.

 

The fog of sleep had finished lifting from his mind, and with a sigh, he'd relaxed. He hadn't meant to take advantage of her in her sleep, but couldn't deny that he'd enjoyed the feel of her next to him. Having become accustomed to the slayer cream, her smell came through more dominantly now, being as enticing as her softness had been. Admittedly his inhibition had been largely due to his sleep clouded mind.

 

He now moved close again, tempting fate and lying down on top of the blankets as he admired her face in the light. He was almost positive that she and the mystery girl were one in the same. Everything he had seen and been told pointed to her as the only possibility. Why she just didn't come out and tell him he did not know, but really, it didn't matter to him at the moment. He had only to wait until tomorrow night to be sure. The bait had been laid, and if she took it, he would finally have her.

 

He smiled at that thought, reaching out a hand to trace her cheek with a claw. Inu-kegawa had been fascinating since he'd met her. He had wondered about her during that week he had not seen her, hoping she was adjusting to castle life alright. He would have gone to check on her if not for his position and the impropriety of his presence in the kitchen or among the servants.

 

Really, that was no excuse he knew that, and really it wouldn't have stopped him anyway, but planning for the lords arrival had also taken a lot of his time. Sesshoumaru had kept him busy with briefings on the lords and their relation to the Western Lands. He was expected to know every lords name, and status. He had also been put in charge of over seeing the organisation of living quarters for the large numbers of soldiers and attendants that would be accompanying each lord. Damn that Sesshoumaru, had he even done any work?

 

It wasn't until Kouga had arrived that he'd seen her again. Kouga's unwanted advances had given him the excuse to keep an eye on her. Having her make and bring his night snacks had just been another way of finding out how she was doing. That she was good at making it had come as a very pleasant surprise.

 

The appearance of a girl who looked remarkably like Kikyou had been a shock. His heart had leapt with remembered devotion and adoration before rational thought had subsided it. At his second encounter, he'd had a chance to study her, though covertly. Though she looked similar to his former love, her mannerisms were completely different. When this game of hers was over and he had her he'd find out why she resembled Kikyou so.

 

Recognising the hour, Inuyasha reluctantly pushed himself up and moved to the shoji leading to his balcony. Clouds still hung heavy in the sky and the winds were still strong, but the rain had stopped falling for the time being. Once outside he took in a deep breath and greeted the day. The storm had only just begun, the scent of rain still hung heavy. Inuyasha could tell this would be one of the worse storms to hit the area in awhile. He made a mental note to have the servants and soldiers make preparations.

 

Moving back inside, he closed the shoji and moved to his closet. A quick glance at Inu-kegawa assured she still slept and he began to change into his clothing for the day. Having finished dressing, he had only to take his sword from where he'd placed it and slip it into place. He moved back to the futon and crouched down beside the still sleeping girl. Her slumber was deep and he regretted having to wake her, but she had a job to do.

 

Resting his hand on her shoulder he shook her. “Oi, Inu-kegawa! Wake up!”

 

“Nyaah!” Her eyes shot open and she jerked upright and away from him in surprise, raising a hand in defence only to freeze at the sight of him. He smirked at her as she stared at him in shock, the hand that had shaken her now resting on his knee.

 

She glared back at him for a moment before a yawn took hold and her hand flew to her mouth.

 

“Inuyasha-sama? Why'd you do that?” she said once finished, her morning voice husky and soft as she rubbed her eye tiredly.

 

“Keh, you gotta get up and start on your chores if you wanna get to the hot springs again today. There's a lull in the storm, but it'll start up again by the afternoon.”

 

She blinked up at him, her mind clearly still foggy from sleep.

 

“You… are going to the onsen today… aren't you?” His brow rose in uncertainty.

 

“Er….” She shook her head, trying to get rid of the sleep, a hand scratching at an arm. “Ya, I mean, yes. Yes, I'll be going. But how'd you know I planned to?”

 

“Keh, you go everyday. You and Sango.” He stood and moved to the shoji, pulling it back before turning to wait for her. “You better hurry or you'll be late.”

 

Still feeling a little foggy and confused she managed to push back the blankets and struggle to her feet with only minimal difficulty. Running her hands over the furs to straighten them she then checked her head to see if her hood was in place this time. Finally she trudged over to him.

 

“What's the hurry? It can't be that late,” she said with a frown.

 

He'd watched her approach until he ears twitched from a sound down the hall. He looked out the door and down the corridor. A servant had just come out of his brothers chambers and was starting toward his own. She stopped at seeing him just as Inu-kegawa met him at the doorway. He glared at the servant in warning before turning back to Inu-kegawa to answer her question.

 

“No, it's not that late,” he said, leaning against the frame and angling his body closer in a more intimate manner. He didn't like public displays, but he knew the power of servant gossip. He'd been on the receiving end of it many times. This would only help solidify her position among them and help keep her safe. He wasn't ignorant of her treatment; Sango had made sure of that. “But I have to meet with my brother this morning. I will see you tonight though,” he said, bowing his head down to bring their faces closer together.

 

The poor girl was even more confused. She stared up at him like he'd lost his mind, her fingers twining together in agitation. She had not seen the servant and so would not have anything to help explain away his actions.

 

“A-alright then, Inuyasha-sama,” she said, brows raised and scent clearly giving away her unease.

 

Glancing down the hall, he saw that the servant was gone. When he finally moved away from her, she instantly relaxed. Though it had been for show, he'd still quite enjoyed making her so flustered. “Feh. Take care and stay out of trouble, wench.”

 

Her eyes followed him down the hall and into his brothers' quarters. Checking to be sure the corridor was empty she made her way to the kitchens, wondering at his curious behaviour.

 

***

 

Other than Inuyasha's strange behaviour in the morning, the rest of Kagome's day went by in a fairly normal manner. After a quick bath with an oddly quiet Sango, she had returned to her chores for the day, which were becoming routine.

 

The other servants kept their distance, watching her with curious or envious gazes. For the most part she was able to ignore that, used to the staring, glances and whispered conversations from her old life. None approached her though, and it still hurt that they did not accept her. All the same, it was still better than being bullied.

 

Just as Inuyasha had predicted, the winds picked up once again in the afternoon, howling through the drafty corridors and outside the windows. Rain came down in sheets so that the bucket only needed to be placed outside the kitchen door for a few moments before it was full. This was a relief to all of the servants since none of them really wanted to go out to the well in the violent weather.

 

Kagome had only just begun preparing Inuyasha's snack when Kaede decided to assist her. Surprised at the offer she accepted, especially since she wanted to try something completely different and a little more complicated.

 

While slicing thin pieces of meat, she watched the older woman out of the corner of her eye, Miroku's words from the other day whispering through her mind. There was no way of knowing Kaede had ever been a miko just by looking at her. But then, by all intents and purposes, she had stopped being one when she had married, giving up her devotion to the shrine Kami and focusing instead on her future family. But this didn't seem to match with what she knew of her own mother. Her powers, as far as she knew, had never deserted her, even after giving birth. Confused, Kagome wondered if her own powers would wane and leave her if she fell in love and married.

 

Kaede stopped chopping the green onions she'd been working on and turned to the worried girl beside her. “Child, ye are too young for such a deep and worried look. What ails ye?”

 

With a startled jump, Kagome looked at the old woman with wide eyes. “I - err, nothing, Kaede-san.”

 

She shook her head. “Ye have been deep in thought since we began, glancing at me from the corner of your eye. I wish to know what occupies your mind.”

 

Kagome bit her lip. “I just, well, Miroku-sama told me you were once a miko, is all. I've never met a miko.” This was true; Naraku had never let a miko remain in any of the shrines. Kagome had only ever come into contact with priests.

 

Kaede's frown cleared, her face softening. “Ah, I see. Ye wonder why I did not remain at the shrine and maintain it?”

 

Kagome quirked her head to the side, her curiosity further peeked. “You can do that?”

 

Kaede frowned. “Aye, child, though my position as miko ended the day I married, my devotion to the shrine did not.”

 

“But, then why did you leave the shrine?”

 

Kaede smiled sadly. “Would you want to stay in place that reminded you of a happy time in your life that you would never have back? Where the bad things that ended your happiness occurred?”

 

Kagome was struck silent, her occupied hands going still. The words resonated clearly with her plight. How could she not sympathise with that reasoning? She smiled sadly, watching her hands as she continued to slice once again. “Yes, I suppose I can understand that. It was no longer the home you knew and loved, bad memories now occupy the same spaces as those that filled you with light and love, forever tainting them.”

 

They worked in silence for a time, each lost in the thoughts the odd conversation had roused. Kagome preferred not to think about the last days in her father's home. She knew that some day she would have to go back and face it all, but for now she only wanted to deal with it in the nightmares that plagued her. Unfortunately, this conversation had brought those memories unavoidably to the surface. Kagome gripped her knife trying to fight down the panic that was slowly swallowing her. It was only when a wrinkled hand covered her own that she relaxed, turning liquid eyes to the kind face.

 

“I fear ye know all too well of what I speak, Inu-kegawa. Perhaps ye would like to talk about it? It may be the only way to relieve ye of the poison slowly building in ye.”

 

Kagome was shocked. Poison? What could the old woman be talking about? Did she mean her soul maybe? Or did she mean only the mild panic she had displayed?

 

“I… I don't understand. What do you mean?”

 

Kaede removed her hand and began dumping the chopped onions into a boiling cauldron. “Though I may have lost what little miko powers I had on marriage, I am still adept at recognising it in others.”

 

“I don't know what you're talking about, Kaede-san,” she said hastily.

 

Kaede shook her head. “Do not play with me, Inu-kegawa. I am too old for games. Ye have the gift. Raw and untrained though it may be it is strong.”

 

She didn't know what to say to that. The feeling of being cornered was strong, however, and she knew she did not want to remain in the same room as the woman before her.

 

She laughed nervously. “That's just silly. I mean, even if I ever did once, after the last few nights….”

 

“He has not touched your purity,” Kaede said quietly. “I've known that pup for too long to believe he would bring such potential dishonour on an innocent girl in such a way.”

 

Kagome felt hot and cold at the same time, her stomach queasy.

 

“Even if he had, there are instances of holy abilities remaining with a miko even after she has been touched by a man.”

 

Other than in the instance of her mother, Kagome had not heard of this before. In all the reading she had done in search of a cure for her father, she had not read one hint at such a possibility.

 

“What do you mean? I thought all miko's lost their abilities upon joining with a man.” The soup was now completely forgotten.

 

Kaede nodded. “Yes, in the majority of instances this is the case. However, it has been known on occasion to remain even after a woman's devotion has been transferred to her lord.”

 

Kagome shook her head and remembering the soup suddenly, began to stir it. “I've never heard of that.”

 

“No, not many have, though not long ago there was a woman who retained her spiritual powers even after giving birth. I knew her when she was young. She trained in my shrine in fact. Her name was Kikyou.”

 

The sick feeling again returned as Kagome dumped her sliced meat into the boiling soup. Kaede had known her mother? But, didn't that mean others in the Western Lands had known her? Oh kami, she had made a huge mistake, others must have known, must have recognised her during her appearances. Her father had reminded her far too many times about her resemblance to her mother for her to disregard that.

 

“I… I'm not feeling well, Kaede-san. I think I may need to lie down.”

 

Kaede looked at her knowingly. “I will help you take the tray up to Inuyasha-sama and be sure he does not keep you longer than you wish, child. Kami knows he has not been thinking of what's best for you these last few days.”

 

It was clear Kaede didn't approve of Inuyasha's treatment of her, though she had already said she did not believe the lord had taken her to his bed as the other servants did. Her cheeks burning with the thought, Kagome turned all of her attention back to the soup.

 

***

 

Sighing with relief Kagome stretched as she trudged down the stairs and over to her corner, delighted at getting some time to herself. It had been difficult, but with Kaede's support, Kagome had managed to work Inuyasha down and get away early.

 

It wasn't that she didn't want to be around him, no. In fact, she liked being around him more than she should admit, but the last few nights had been too intense and she just wanted to relax in her room. Take some time to think about everything and get the maddening slayer cream off while she was at it. Sure she'd felt a little bad at insisting on him keeping his promise to her from last night, a promise he didn't remember making, and his sulking when she'd left hadn't made her feel any better, but sometimes a girl just needs to be alone.

 

Pushing open her curtain, Kagome was disturbed briefly as a gust of wind brushed out past her. She froze, unwilling to fully step into the room as her skin crawled from the youki contained within the unnatural draft. As it finished passing, she instantly relaxed, her senses finally telling her it was not harmful. In fact, the youki contained within was familiar. Considering the form of the spell, she could only assume it to be Kagura.

 

Entering all the way and letting the curtain fall closed behind her, she collapsed onto her nest of futon and blankets. “Ahhhhhh,” she sighed in contentment, looking about her small space to check for anything out of place. Seeing her water pot she decided to get started and grabbing a rag, began cleaning off the cream. She wouldn't be surprised if Kagura arrived soon.

 

***

 

She had just returned to her chambers when the warning she left in the hime's room came to her.

 

It had been a long day full of accusations, threats and treaty write-ups. Kagura had sat through it all in silence, absorbing the relationships, power struggles and interplay of the lords as she had over the last few days. Her silence didn't seem to bother the lords, especially since many saw the presence of a woman as a representative to be insulting. On a personal level, she didn't give a shit.

 

On the few occasions when she did speak, Sesshoumaru-sama made sure she was heard, his own overpowering silence making sure that if he spoke, he would be listened to. All in all it had been a wearing day that she had looked forward to ending, especially when her own worry for Kagome's safety weighed on her mind. It so occupied her that despite her own weariness, she didn't hesitate at the scent of the hime to make her way down.

 

She had to take it slow, not wanting to draw the attention of the servants performing their evening duties. Making out like she was on a relaxed stroll, Kagura took a twisting path through the corridors which eventually lead her down to the now empty kitchen level. Reaching the dark corner, she pulled back the curtain to find the hime beaming up at her from where she sat with a cloth in hand as she cleaned her skin.

 

“I was wondering how long it would be before you got here, Kagura!” she said.

 

Kagura frowned, allowing the curtain to fall closed behind her. A small oil lamp lit the room enough to make each other out, casting angular shadows all over.

 

“You expected me, hime-sama?” she asked as she crouched down beside her, amazed at the relief she felt at seeing her.

 

Kagome nodded and continued her scrubbing. “Of course, I felt the wind trap you left behind.” She stopped her washing again and looked at Kagura abashedly. “I'm sorry I wasn't here when you came, but things have become… complicated….”

 

Her face darkening, Kagura took the cloth and continued the task of cleaning her charge. “I am well aware of the circumstances, o-hime-sama,” she said through clenched teeth, “That cur has taken a dishonourable approach with you. When this is over, I will kill him for the insult.”

 

Pulling away from the painful scrubbing, a panicked Kagome waved her hands at her guardian, trying to calm her. Her youki was rising to noticeable levels. “No, Kagura-chan, you don't understand. Inuyasha-sama has no wrong feelings toward me, no intent to besmirch my name and honour, I swear! But,” her voice got quiet as she calmed a bit, bighting her lip as Kagura considered her sceptically, “there was the issue of Kouga-sama… no matter how much Inuyasha-sama has tried to dissuade him, he continues to pursue me, unwelcome though the advances are.”

 

Kagura glared at the young girl. “And so he has taken you to his bed to end these advances? It seems a little extreme to me, Kagome-sama.”

 

She shook her head violently. “I swear he hasn't touched me inappropriately once!” A half memory of being held and caressed flashed through Kagome's mind, but she shrugged it off as a dream. “Please, Kagura, you have to believe me. Inuyasha-sama is an honourable man!”

 

The wind sorceress sat silently, unmoving for a time before leaning in and taking a delicate sniff of her charge.

 

“You're covered in his scent. It's so strong it almost dominates your own. This is a mark of mate claim, Kagome-sama. No youkai makes that move unless they intend to follow through.”

 

She blanched at that information. Again the image and sensation of being held flashed in her mind, but still, she remained solid in her stance. “Inuyasha-sama is hanyou; perhaps those rules don't apply for him. He wouldn't have done this unless he had to.”

 

Kagura was silent for a moment yet again before saying, “Very well. I will believe you for now. But if that cur does anything to dishonour your name further, I will slice him to bits with my wind blades.”

 

She began to clean her charge once more, the princess relaxing noticeably as all the fight left her. She wanted to enjoy the attention she no longer got on a regular basis anymore.

 

“The servants have whispered that you wear a token from him as well. Is this true?” Kagome tensed noticeably. “Don't worry, it's a human lordship practice meant only to reinforce what you've told me so far. I won't get angry. What is it?”

 

Kagome sighed in relief. “It's his favourite obi. I didn't want to take it, but he threatened that if I didn't, he'd tie me up and keep me in his chambers. I wear it under the furs.”

 

Her lip twitched at the image. “I see.” Kagura switched to the other arm. “Kagome-sama, I came last night to see what you planned to do about Naraku-sama. He is arriving tomorrow.”

 

Kagome's voice was quiet. “I know. Don't worry about me, I have a plan.”

 

“You must leave here, Kagome-sama, it won't be safe for you!”

 

“No! I know I can't run and I don't want to, Kagura.” Kagome said, frowning at her guardian as she scrubbed extra roughly. “Listen, this is the safest place for me to make a stand. But, Kagura, your still bound to my father. Promise me you won't help me unless your freedom's definite.”

 

The request was expected but irksome this time. She would do her part to protect her ward, and if that meant openly acting against Naraku-sama, then she would do it. Frowning, she chose not to respond.

 

“Please Kagura! He has too much control over you! I don't know… I don't know what I'd do if he hurt you, or worse.”

 

“Do not worry, Kagome-sama, I have arranged for my own safety,” Kagura said calmly.

 

Falling silent, the princess watched Kagura diligently remove the cream from her pale skin, scrubbing till it glowed red. It was unusual for her to keep secrets.

 

It was when Kagura had just moved to clean Kagome's face that a creak from the top of the wooden stairs was heard. Both froze, Kagura glaring darkly up above them as though able to see who it was. When she shifted to stand, Kagome made a move to stop her. They could not be found together, it would blow both their covers. Kagura only shook her head and with a finger to her lips, slipped into one of the darkest corners. The air became unnaturally still and Kagome knew that the demons scent was being masked.

 

Hoping it was just a servant come for a late night snack, Kagome pulled her blankets up over her shoulders and snuggled deep into her futon. Goose bumps rose on the back of her neck and damp forearms as the person reached the bottom of the stairs and padded across the floor. When they stopped in front of her corner, she bit her lip and sat up curiously. Who could it be?

 

There was a rustle and then the curtains drew back to reveal a dark silhouette. The oil lamp splashed some light on him, enough at least to reveal a gleam of armour here, a glistening of a fang in a smirk there and ice blue eyes that gazed down at her triumphantly.

 

“So, dog-shit's let you loose again, has he?” Kouga said smugly.

 

He stepped into the small space, the curtain falling closed behind him. When he crouched down to be on level with her, Kagome pulled away sharply with a strangled whimper.

 

“You… you shouldn't be here, Kouga-sama,” she said, just barely managing those few words as her mouth had gone instantly dry at his appearance.

 

He leaned in, the cocky smirk still stretching his lips. “A man is always welcome in his woman's room.”

 

She stared at him blankly, unable to comprehend his stubborn view of reality. “I… uhhhh….” What do you say to a delusional man determined to see things his way?

 

Still grinning, Kouga reached for her, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her resisting body close. She struggled in his arms, wide eyes locked with his as he lowered his face, hands wandering and caressing where they could reach even as he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck.

 

“Kouga-sama…,” she said, pleading with him to stop even as she pushed at his chest, trying to get free.

 

When he suddenly froze, his arms tightening painfully in a vice grip, Kagome cried out in fear. His youki had spiked so painfully high that her own power reacted on it's own to block it and keep it from overpowering her.

 

“Kouga-sama?” she said, her voice wavering anxiously.

 

“You smell of him.”

 

His voice was hard and flat so that she had no way of knowing what he was thinking. She knew which `him' he meant, but hesitated, not sure how to safely respond to his statement. Finally, she decided to go with the simplest.

 

“Yes, I did spend some time in his presence this evening, after all.”

 

When he pulled back from her, his eyes blazing in fury, she realised that wasn't the right response.

 

“His scent coats you! It is imbedded in your every pour and screams possession!” he said savagely, before harshly pushing her down into the bedding.

 

She cried out in alarm and pain, her eyes rolling as they searched for aid from Kagura. Other than a brush of the smallest winds, no help came from there. Instead she returned her focus to the rampaging wolf-youkai above her.

 

“It takes more than just `some time' in his presence for that to happen. He touched you! You let that dog-shit touch you!” He grasped the hands that pushed at his chest and slammed them down to either side of her head. He leaned down over her, his snarling face centimetres from her own, his youki violently attacking her own aura in a struggle to dominate. As with her father before, her powers acted in her defence, only this time completely outside her control.

 

“Kouga-sama, please don't! You're hurting me!” she said, whimpering as his hands squeezed, pinching and bruising the skin.

 

Not seeming to hear her, he released her for a moment and took hold of her fur collar, forcing it open to expose pale skin on new territory. His mouth came down on her, nipping and sucking at the salty flesh. “I won't hurt you, Inu-kegawa, I'll make you feel better than you ever have in your life. You'll be happy as my mate, I promise you that.”

 

Fighting back the urge to panic along with the memories these familiar emotions of helplessness were drawing to surface, Kagome tried to think of some way to talk him out of whatever he was planning while scrambling to get some control over her powers. At the very least, at this moment, she needed him off of her, not touching her in ways that had tears of frustration and helplessness slipping from the corners of her eyes, her skin crawling at every pass of his tongue as he nuzzled his way over her skin.

 

She screamed as his mouth enveloped her breast, teeth nipping at the glob of flesh, tongue swirling around the nipple. While her father had touched her there once, this was a new sensation, one just as unwelcome in present circumstances.

 

“Stop!” she said, sobbing desperately.

 

A vicious growl rent the air as the curtain parted violently enough for one to come off it's hanging before Kouga was wrenched from off of her. Kagome instantly moved to cover herself as she sat up, shock settling in as her eyes tried to make sense of the miracle she hadn't even tried to pray for. There stood the hanyou prince, his hand wrapped around the wolf prince's neck as he held him aloft, a deadly gleam in his eyes. She couldn't fathom how he'd known she needed him.

 

“I warned him,” Kagura murmured from the darkness, safe in saying as much as the two males remained absorbed in each other, “forgive me for not doing more.”

 

Kagome reached back to find Kagura's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze even as she kept her eyes trained on the two males who were now exchanging insults. Tears still trailed down her cheeks as she took in ragged breaths, trying to slow her heart rate.

 

“You slimy, disrespectful, ungrateful, mangy piece of wolf pelt!” Inuyasha growled, a vein throbbed in his forehead as the hand around Kouga's neck clenched spasmodically.

 

“Gahh!” Kouga tried to pry Inuyasha's hand off. “Let go, dog-shit!”

 

“Give me one good reason I shouldn't rip you apart! I warned you, Kouga! I told you to stay away from her, that she was under my protection.” His grip tightened to punctuate his words. “But you ignored me thinking there was no way I could back up my words.”

 

“Fuck you! She's my woman, I claimed her!” Kouga said growling viciously as both hands worked at the one around his throat.

 

The fist connected with Kouga's face as soon as the words and left his mouth, the force behind it sending him flying out of Inuyasha's hold and across the room. Kagome scrambled forward, eyes following Kouga's trail, before glancing up at Inuyasha where he stood radiating rage.

 

“Inuyasha…” she said, awe and thankfulness suffusing her words and expression.

 

The hanyou prince looked down at her, taking in the disarray of her appearance with a scowl. Her darkened face had streaks of pale skin showing from tears while the skin of her arms and hands had apparently been cleaned off already, though red marks and the beginning of bruising stood out clearly on her wrists. Anger built and he marked it down as yet another thing to pound Kouga for. It was then that his eye caught the white of her collar bone just above where her hand grasped the yukata and fur closed. The fury he had felt moments before was nothing compared to that what he was feeling now. He could only harness it for the moment as the girl began to stand, wobbling as her feet tangled in the sheets.

 

“Inu-kegawa.” He took hold of the girls flailing hands and pulled her from the material, momentarily ignoring the wolf. “Are you alright?”

 

Acutely sensitive to youki at the moment, Kagome could feel the unconscious, tentative brush of Inuyasha's as he took her hands and drew her to him. She shivered and found herself burrowing into Inuyasha's arms, her face pressed to his chest.

 

“Inuyasha-sama, thank you, I…” She trailed off, bighting back a sob as his arms wrapped protectively around her, a hand running soothingly over her hair.

 

“Get your hands off my woman, you filthy hanyou!” Kouga said, growling from where he'd landed sprawled on the stone floor.

 

Kagome tensed at the sound of his voice.

 

Inuyasha snarled, reacting more to her distress than the wolf's words as he turned to hide her from view. “You have no claim on her, wolf!”

 

“More claim than you, dog!” Kouga snarled back, springing to his feet now as if the punch had been nothing.

 

“I have the claim of a lord over his people and a man over his woman,” Inuyasha said, snapping the words off in disdain. “You won't come anywhere near her again, or you'll risk Sesshoumaru's anger along with my own! He doesn't care for his honour being messed with either, especially by a supposed ally.”

 

Kouga's eye's narrowed. “I don't know what you're talking about. She's no more Sesshoumaru's woman than she is yours.”

 

Inuyasha brought Kagome forward again, tuning her in his arms so she faced the wolf with her back to his front in what he hoped was a comforting manner. “Forgive me,” he said, his breath brushing her ear.

 

Protected in Inuyasha's arms, the warmth of his body at her back, she did not even flinch when he unhooked the fur and pulled it open, revealing a white yukata and the red obi she wore knotted at her waist.

 

“I don't understand you, dog-shit.” Kouga said, one hand propped on a hip as he assessed the body he had so longed to touch, taste and possess.

 

Inuyasha snapped the furs closed, growling deeply as he crossed his arms over the girl and pulled her flush against him. “I have bestowed honour on her, Kouga. She is my personal servant, the token she wears is a sign as well as a form of protection so all know it's me with the backing of Sesshoumaru that they must answer to if she is used poorly.”

 

Kouga's face contorted in disgust. “A human tradition. The wolves don't hold with such things. I made verbal claim.”

 

“And it is unrecognised by me, the only witness,” Inuyasha snapped back.

 

Kouga was shouting now. “But my intent was still made clear to my woman!”

 

“She is not your woman!”

 

“Stop it!” Kagome finally yelled breaking away from Inuyasha's grasp, hands fisting at her sides as she stared at the ground to gather courage before she looking up to glare at Kouga. “If you won't let your ears hear the truth, than let your eyes see it!”

 

With that, Kagome twisted round and reaching a hand up to grasp the back of Inuyasha's head, guided him down for a swift, hard kiss before releasing him. She did not make eye contact with the hanyou prince as her cheeks burned angrily, but instead forced her eyes over her shoulder to meet the shocked gaze of the wolf prince. There was a long silence in which she could only imagine what the two males were thinking.

 

“You… would rather be this mans whore… than my mate?” Kouga finally asked, his expression broken.

 

Kagome flinched at his words and expression, but Inuyasha allowed her little time to think on it or answer. A hand caressed her arm as he pulled it down to her side before gathering her in his arms and pulling her close until her head was tucked under his chin, her body fit snug against his and his trademark glower on his face as his eyes locked with Kouga's.

 

“She's no one's whore, you stinking wolf. As you well know she remains untouched and so her honour's intact. However,” he said, pausing for a moment to glance down at the strange creature he held so intimately, “she is precious to me and I won't let you have her. I won't let anyone have her.”

 

***

 

A/N: Woooohooo! It was amazing, it was like a veil lifted and all of a sudden I had this urge to write! I just kept going and going! Sure I'd stop for a bit of Spider Solitaire once in awhile, but not much else distracted me. I'm so happy to get this chapter out; I was feeling really guilty about making you all wait almost two months for another chapter, but really, changing countries takes a lot out of a person. I did my best and pounded out a sentence or two from time to time, but haven't really felt like writing until now. I was so inspired that this has become the longest chapter in this story.

 

Gomen nasai mina-sama!

 

O-O Please leave reviews, I like reviews! Comments, criticisms, suggestions, all are welcome as I love reading them! I know some of you are all like “Come on, get Inuyasha and Kagome together already!” but please be patient; all good things come with patience!