InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dog Skin ❯ It's Been Awhile ( Chapter 17 )

Dog Skin

 

Chapter Seventeen: It's Been Awhile

 

Kagome fled the great hall as though Naraku chased her still. She heard the faintest call of her name from Sango, but ignored it as she raced to reach Inuyasha's room.

 

Oh it had been a nightmare! The whole thing went far worse then she could have imagined. The look on Inuyasha's face when he found out who she was had cut her deep. The anger and disgust that had been directed partly at her made her feel dirty and unwanted. But it had been his demand for her to leave that had hurt her the most. He'd been so angry and barely able to look at her. She had only wanted to apologise, but he'd not let her! If he didn't want her around then she'd do as he asked. She'd leave.

 

Kagome burst into Inuyasha's room, aware that Sango was not far behind. She slammed the door closed before hurrying to the closet and retrieving an old scabbard she'd seen there earlier. With the sound of Sango's foot steps coming down the hall echoing in her ears, Kagome jammed the sheath along the runner for the door, effectively blocking its path and keeping anyone from entering.

 

With tears in her eyes, Kagome grabbed her furs and bag, wasting no time in changing and instead pulling them on over top the shimmering kimono. With no soup to drop it in, Kagome lastly removed the necklace and dropped it to the floor as a final memento. She cursed the first token she'd left for him at that moment, wishing she'd never begun the seemingly harmless game. Why had she needed him to know who she was so desperately?

 

The furs firmly clasped in place and the bag tucked underneath, Kagome hurried to the balcony. Sango's pounding on the door and calls to her open it didn't even faze her as she stepped out into the crisp night air

 

An old cherry tree grew off to one side of the balcony, a fairly sturdy looking branch not far from the edge. Climbing over the railing, she judged the distance from the balcony to the ground, thankful that the castle design followed a more sprawling scheme than an elevated one. But though the second story wasn't very high, it was still high enough to make her stomach flip.

 

Taking a deep breath Kagome leapt for the branch, hands grasping on for dear life even as her body swung from her momentum. Preparing to haul herself up, she realised that she was still moving, the branch being supple enough to bend, bringing her close enough to the ground to just let go.

 

Once on the ground, she hurried around the corner and headed for main gate to the courtyard. Tears wanted to fall as she moved further from the safety of the castle, but she ignored them, pushing all sad thoughts from her mind and thinking only of the future. She would try to disappear into the forest, head to a village and make a life there somehow.

 

***

 

Soon after the agreement, Naraku had been taken away to spend the night at the shrine under guard. Inuyasha had hurried from the hall with out another word, intent on reaching to Kagome and getting some answers.

 

He'd come upon Kouga and Hiten halfway to his chambers. The two were struggling on the ground, Kouga holding the thunder demons arms behind his back as they exchanged insults and threats. Inuyasha paused long enough to land one punch across the thunder demons face. He was out cold.

 

“Yo, wolf,” he said over his shoulder as he continued on his way, “Take him to the shrine; it's where his masters being kept till the morning.” He hadn't forgiven the wolf anything, far from it, but he had more important things on his mind then retribution.

 

He continued on his way to his rooms, the sounds of Sango and Miroku calling to Kagome getting louder with every step.

 

“Kagome-sama! Please open the door!” said Miroku, shouting through the door.

 

“Please, Kagome, it's alright, you don't have to be scared! Just let us in!” Sango said loudly, pounding on the door.

 

“What's going on?” Inuyasha asked, his fists on his hips and scowl darkening his face.

 

“Inu-kegawa, I mean,” Miroku shook his head at the error, “Kagome-sama has somehow locked herself in your room. We can't get to her and she won't let us in.”

 

Growling, Inuyasha pushed them out of his way and tried the door to find it would not slide. Taking stock of how it tipped slightly in the runner, he pulled back just a little and then threw his shoulder against it. It budged, but not much, so he tried again, this time harder.

 

There was a large crash as the door popped from its runners and fell to the floor on the other side. Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango wasted no time slipping in.

 

“Kagome-chan!” Sango said, looking around the room.

 

Inuyasha already knew she wasn't there, her scent already dispersing. He took quick stock of his room, noticing the shining object on the floor. He stepped over to it, lifting it for inspection. It was the necklace she had worn this evening. His fist clenched convulsively around it and he briefly wondered if she'd been taken by force. But there was no other scent in the room to suggest that.

 

“Inuyasha, the balcony,” Miroku was standing by the balcony doorway. It was open wide enough for a woman to pass through.

 

Mood darkening with every step, Inuyasha pulled the door open all the way and stepped outside. There was no one there, not that he had expected there to be. A cold wind passed by, but he ignored it looking to the entrance to the courtyard.

 

“Inuyasha?” Miroku wore a worried frown, the rings on his staff jingling in the breeze.

 

“Repair the door and then leave. I will bring Kagome back.” With that, the hanyou prince leapt into the air.

 

Sango stepped up to Miroku and watch Inuyasha disappear through the gateway, clearly worried as she leaned into the monk. “Shouldn't we help him? She could be anywhere.”

 

Miroku shook his head and turned away, guiding her back into the room and moving to the door. “No, I've never seen him like this. If we were to interfere… he might not let us live.”

 

A shiver ran down her spine as Sango helped him lift the door and position it on the runner. “But… Kagome-chan, will she be safe?”

 

Miroku shook his head. “No I'm sure she'll be fine. He'll likely yell at her for her stupidity for awhile and then drag her back here.”

 

In all honesty, he didn't know for sure what Inuyasha was capable of in his present state. He'd never seen his friend this angry before. It was so deep, roiling through him violently but controlled with an intensity that was almost cold. It reminded him a lot of Sesshoumaru. But he could see his dearest Sango was upset, and would do what he could to reassure her.

 

The door popped back into place fairly easily, and Miroku tested it a few times wanting to see if it moved smoothly.

 

“There. Come, Sango, I don't believe we want to be here when he returns.” He took her by the elbow and led her from her room, trying to ignore his own misgivings as she glanced back in worry.

 

***

 

Kagome had barely made it to the edge of the herb garden when she tripped and fell over a forgotten tool. She lay there for a few moments, breathing heavily and enjoying the feel of the damp, cool earth beneath her palms and against her throbbing cheek. She vaguely wondered if she would have a bruise. The cut in her mouth still stung when she touched it with her tongue.

 

As she lay there she noticed how tired she felt and that she was hungry. She realised she'd been running on adrenaline for the better part of the day, that she hadn't taken any food with her and that she was being a complete ninny at this moment. She was disgusted with herself. She had locked Miroku and Sango out and jumped from a balcony! What had she been thinking?

 

With some struggle, she managed to push herself up onto her knees, staring out into the forest before her. What had she hoped to accomplish by coming out here? She knew she hadn't been thinking straight. Ever since she'd released the purification energy her mind had been a bit muddled and maybe she'd been a little over sensitive?

 

A rustling of dry leaves off to her left drew her from her thoughts, eyes widening when she saw a wolf step out from the forest. Another followed it, both staring at her intently, their eyes reflecting in the moonlight.

 

Moving slowly, Kagome stood on shaky legs. A cold breeze passed making her shiver uncontrollably. They had yet to make any overtly hostile moves toward her, but she wasn't taking chances. Stepping carefully, keeping her eyes on the wolves, she moved back toward the castle.

 

A low growl resonated through the clearing, setting the hairs on the back of her neck on end and freezing her in place. She couldn't figure where the sound had come from as the wolves only blinked at her. Another growl rent the air and the wolves turned tail, disappearing once more into the underbrush.

 

Something was behind her, something large and powerful enough to scare wolves away from an easy meal. She shuddered in fearful dread. If she ran, it would catch her, for she was exhausted. If she fought she would loose since it was likely far more powerful than her. Idiot!

 

With a whimper of defeat, she collapsed to her knees once more. Inuyasha was disgusted by her and likely hated her. Her reputation was in question and she would likely never find a husband or be returned to her kingdom which would likely then be divided up among the neighbouring kingdoms now that her father had been exposed. She had nothing now.

 

A defeated laugh shook her frame. “Just kill me,” she said tiredly.

 

A vicious growl vibrated through the air. “I'm not letting you off that easy.”

 

The familiarity of the voice made her gasp before a clawed hand dug into her shoulder and swung her around with enough force to then push her down into the ground. Kagome gazed up at Inuyasha with wide eyes as he crouched over her. There was a vicious wildness about him she had never seen before, his hair whipping in the wind, his ears pinned back while he snarled at her.

 

“Inuyasha-sama….” Her voice was strained, her body tense as he still held on to her, his claws digging into her shoulder.

 

“Trying to leave me, bitch?” He shook her lightly, “Think you can just run away after you've had your show?”

 

She shook her head, eyes filling with tears. “No! You told me to leave; I was just doing what you-”

 

“Shut-up! I didn't tell you to leave the castle! You chose to interpret it that way,” he ground out with clenched teeth.

 

There was silence as she stared up at him with wide, glittering eyes, her body still tensed to defend herself if she had to. “What was I supposed to think? The way you looked at me. You were so angry and disgusted with me… I just-”

 

“Bitch! You lied to me! You made a promise to my face with no intention of staying true to your word.” He grasped her other shoulder and lifted her till her face was close to his. “How did you think I'd react?”

 

“Inu-kegawa made you that promise. As Kagome, I made you no such assurances,” she said, impressed at how steady her voice sounded.

 

He dropped her back to the ground with a curse. “You think I give a fuck what name you're using when you make a promise! Why didn't you just tell me?”

 

She was confused. “Tell you?”

 

He became violent again, grasping the fur mantle and ripping it open. She whimpered in surprised fear as the buttons snapped off from the force. “Tell me! Why didn't you tell me about this?” he said, indicating the now exposed glittering kimono, “Why didn't you tell me where you were from? What he had done to you? Fuck, Kagome, I knew something had happened to you, just not that….” He seemed at a loss for words now as he stared down at her, breathing heavily.

 

A shuddering sob ran through her and all she wanted was to cling to the man crouched over her and cry. Instead, she clung to herself. “I wanted to! So many times….” She arched her head back, trying to draw in a calming breath and stretch the now protesting muscles; she wasn't in the most comfortable position. “There was always the worry… would you believe me… and even if you did… so what? What could you do about it? I had no proof, and it would be your responsibility to tell your brother who would either send me back or use me as a bargaining piece. It was useless, and….” She bit her lip, her eyes flittering back to his to find him watching her with a scowl. “I didn't want to think about it anyway.”

 

They stared at one another in contemplation, a steady rumble coming from deep in Inuyasha's chest.

 

“You never trusted me to protect you.” It was a statement, one so heavy with conviction she immediately saw that he believed it to be true.

 

“No!” She spoke sharply in denial. “I trusted you. I did so blindly. You could have just as easily let Naraku take me. For the briefest moment I thought you would, but you didn't.” She forced her body to relax until she was completely limp, her features softening and eyes shining with her gratitude. “I am grateful to you.”

 

The growl increased in volume when she turned her head, exposing an expanse of white flesh to him in submission. She knew little of demons, but hoped it would calm him as lying on her back had in the past. She could sense his greatest upset at the moment was that he felt as though he had no control. Everything had come to him as one big shock in a short period of time. He wasn't sure where he stood in it all, which left him with a strong need to reaffirm his dominance.

 

A claw traced her jaw, inciting a shiver down her spine as its gentle path continued down her neck. Hot breath caressed her next and she strained to watch him from the corner of her eye. He had leaned into her, taking a deep breath of her scent before giving her the smallest of reprimanding nips. She flinched back, not expecting that, nor expecting the soothing swipe of his tongue after. Her breath caught at the sensation, her skin heating at the contact.

 

“You will be punished.” He said in a murmur.

 

He pulled back and moved from her only to lift her and throw her over his shoulder. Butterflies fluttered about in her stomach before it dropped out completely, a small shriek escaping her as he leapt into the air and back toward the castle. Apprehension consumed her in the short time it took to get back. By all means he had forgiven her, but his last words suggested that didn't mean she'd get away with any of it. They landed on the balcony and he stepped in, closing the shoji behind him.

 

It was dark inside with the moonlight blocked out. He took a few steps in before putting her back on her feet with a murmured `stay'. He moved about the room, finding an oil lamp and lighting it and then grabbing a basin of water and a rag. He brought them both over to her and placed them on the floor. Nothing was said as he approached her, circling around behind her with a hooded look.

 

“Take off the mantle.” His voice was gruff, but non-threatening.

 

She did as he asked without question, unhooking the few buttons that still remained and shrugging out of it. He took hold of the mantle's shoulders and helped her remove it from her arms, the billowing sleeves of the kimono making it a tighter fit than normal.

 

He moved away from her and she watched over her shoulder as he admired the craftsmanship. “I'll have it be fixed and cleaned.” He folded it and placed it by the door as if as a reminder.

 

When he came up behind her once more he was so close that the heat of his breath brushed across the nape of her neck in a pleasant manner while the heat of his body radiated into her back making her hyper aware of his proximity. Her nerves were already on edge from his behaviour, on top of that now she didn't understand what was going on with her body, why it was reacting to his in such strange ways.

 

“You have yet to ask what has become of Naraku,” he said, a clawed hand reaching for the end of her obi and tugging on it. Her body jerked with the motion, the intricate bow unweaving and the binding loosening about her middle.

 

Her mouth was dry, but she still managed to speak. “He is no longer my concern.”

 

He grunted in affirmation, his hand pulling out the final knot and causing the obi to fall to the floor. “True. He's my concern now.” He didn't bother with the knots of the ties around her waist and ribcage; instead he cut through them with his claws, the two strips joining the obi on the floor and the kimono unfolding and falling open.

 

He grasped the collar from behind and she obediently slipped from it, shivering as another layer was removed and the cold began to seep in. He did the same with it as he had with the mantle before returning to her. He caught sight of the bag at her hip and with raised brow he unhooked it from the plain obi. The smallest of protests escaped her lips before he gave her a warning look. She frowned but stayed quiet as he opened the bag, both brows now raised in surprise.

 

“So this is where you kept them. You have presented me with a handsome dowry, Kagome,” he said as he removed the kimono from the magic bag. He placed them with the others, momentarily ignoring her as she turned in bewilderment to follow his movements.

 

“A dowry? What are you talking about?” A confusion of different emotions warred inside of her.

 

He returned to her side, physically turning her back the way he had left her. “Tomorrow at dawn I will fight Naraku for mate claim.” He ignored her gasp of alarm, though his ears twitched in response to it, and started on her hair, raking his fingers through it and dislodging the pins Sango had painstakingly placed there.

 

It fell in black waves to the middle of her back, the lamp light giving it a warm glow. He continued to run his fingers through the silky tresses, bringing them to his nose to inhale her scent as she worked to find words, the gentle tugging on her scalp distracting her.

 

She couldn't believe what her ears were hearing. “You'll fight him... for what?” Her knees nearly buckled as he ran a hand up her nape, her head falling forward as his fingers dipped into her hairline. Tingles were running from where he touched her to her centre, her breath growing shallow with each passing moment.

 

When he moved away from her, she nearly cried out in loss. She had not had such attentive ministrations since she left her home some weeks ago. It had felt so nice.

 

He knelt before her, motioning she do the same even as he drew the water basin close. She stared down at him in a daze until the smirk he wore woke her.

 

“Why are you fighting him? He's not really a threat now… is he? ” She couldn't believe for a moment that after everything she'd done this evening, after everything that happened, he would want her. Kami, he'd never done much to suggest he was interested.

 

“Keh! Sit,” he said, a familiar scowl creasing his brow. He obviously wasn't going to expand on his statement just yet and with a disgruntled sigh she knelt before him.

 

As he had the night before he checked her injuries, turning her chin till the light hit the mark on her face. Using a knuckle he prodded the red mark, watching her wince slightly.

 

The scowl grew darker. “I thought he might have closed his fist when he struck you. Lucky for the bastard he didn't or I'd go kill him now instead of waiting.”

 

“Why are you waiting?” she asked when he released her, her own hand going to touch her cheek daintily.

 

Inuyasha grunted, wringing out the cloth he had picked up from the basin. “You damaged him pretty good. For the challenge to be fair I have to let him heal or my strength could be left in doubt.”

 

He took hold of her chin once again and began to clean off the dirt from when she fell, careful not to press too hard. He then took her hands and did the same for her palms.

 

“Let me have your feet. They're dirty too and I won't have dirty feet in my bed,” he said, the demand leaving no room for argument.

 

“Are you sure this is proper?” she asked with a blush, though she complied and sat on her bottom while he took one foot in his lap and began cleaning it, “I am known to be a hime now, after all. My staying with you could be considered a scandal.”

 

He paused, giving her a look that clearly stated he didn't care, before continuing to clean. The brush of the damp cloth across her skin was ticklish and cold, the hand that held her calf kneading the muscles there. She squirmed a bit at his touch, tempted to pull away from the unfamiliar, torturous sensation.

 

“Is this my punishment?” Relief came when he released her only to dissipate as he took the next foot.

 

A sadistic gleam entered his eye at the accusation, but he didn't answer.

 

She bit her lip at the silence. “Why are you doing this?” she said on a whine, her body trembling with her restraint.

 

He looked up at her with a smirk, taking one last swipe with the cloth before releasing her. “I'm just cleaning you.”

 

Grumbling she curled her feet under her once again, trying to warm them. “No, I mean why go to the trouble of fighting him? What do you get out of it?”

 

His eyes narrowed on her momentarily. He leaned in, his hands coming to rest on her thighs, moving up as he drew closer till they rested on her hips. His face was millimetres from hers, lips parted so his breath puffed against her skin while his eyes flicked over her bemused, blush tinted features. “I get to keep you.”

 

He closed the distance between them, his lips brushing her startled ones in the gentlest of caresses before he pulled back slightly, watching her. She sat frozen for a moment a blush covering her neck and cheeks, her hands fluttered to rest on his arms. She drew in a shaky breath. She'd liked that, but things were far from settled between them.

 

She held his gaze, a tremulous smile flitting on and then off her lips. She looked down to where he still held her, licking her dry lips before looking up again with a quizzical frown. “Why… do you want me? I know you loved my Okaa-san once.” She swallowed hard, not sure she wanted to hear the truth. “And so I need to know… what do you see when you look at me?”

 

He glowered at her, clearly not liking the question. “I see a resemblance to your Okaa-san, there is no denying that. And yes I once loved her, but that was another life time. You… your eyes are Inu-kegawa's, that is how I've known you and that is how I've grown to care for you. You are Kagome.” His hold tightened uncomfortably. “And don't you ever dare clump me with that sick bastard again.”

 

She bit her lip and nodded before looking away from him with a sigh.

 

He released her and stood with a growl, moving to his closet. “Get into bed, Kagome.”

 

She didn't bother arguing, only stood and padded over. She was cold without him near, and wasted no time in pulling back the blankets and crawling under them. She vaguely listened as he changed, the turmoil of thoughts and emotions holding her attention more completely. He wanted her for her, not for what she had to offer or who she reminded him of. He was willing to risk his life to fight for her and wanted her as his wife.

 

The sound of his approach had her turning and propping up on her elbows to look at him. They locked gazes for a moment, his serious and confident, hers shy and uncertain.

 

“Inuyasha-sama….”

 

He shook his head. “Don't call me that. I hate it.” He growled in distaste. “Just `Inuyasha' is fine.”

 

She blushed again at the intimacy such informality suggested. “Inuyasha… I really am sorry I ran away. I wasn't thinking clearly after I released that energy and I was just so upset after everything.”

 

He knelt by the bedding. “Feh, I know that, Kagome.” He pulled back the blanket and slid in to sit beside her, ignoring the look of relief she was giving him. “But that doesn't mean you're not getting punished.

 

Not even giving her time to react to his words he pulled her to him, almost dragging her into his lap. She shrieked when he buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing deeply before licking and nipping at it as if to get her attention… not that he didn't have it already.

 

“You remember when I threatened to tie you down if you didn't stay in the room?” he said in a murmur against her damp skin.

 

Her eyes widened and she squirmed in his hold, hands on his chest, her stomach flipping as dread filled her. He wouldn't. No sooner had the thought entered her head was he pushing her back into the bedding, a leg sliding up between hers as he crouched over her. She pushed at his chest where he hovered over her, noting the wicked glint now present in his eyes.

 

“Inuyasha, no please don't.” Worry creased her brow and she jerked away from him when he tried to take hold of her wrists, pulling them protectively to her chest.

 

His only response was to smirk and grasp them more solidly. “Take your punishment like a good girl, Kagome.”

 

She did her best imitation of a growl, frustrated as he overpowered her. He chuckled at the sound, drawing her hands above her head where he began to tie them. She arched her head back to watch him; frowning to see him using the obi he'd given her to lash her wrists together. She tried to tug her arms down but he held them in place, giving a warning glare before taking the long ends and attaching them to one of the narrow structural support beams that happened to run up through his room. He left enough slack to give her some movement.

 

“You're just going to leave me like this all night?” she asked dubiously, tugging her arms as he moved back to rest his upper body beside her.

 

“Yup.” A hand lazily drifted over the side of her face, pushing some hair behind her ear.

 

She began to struggle again, pulling and bucking as she tried to break free. He sighed heavily and rolled back on top of her, this time allowing all his weight to pin her down. Air puffed out of her at the contact before she went completely still beneath him. The tension in her shoulders was increasing with her awareness of where his body pressed to hers, the weight and heat strangely pleasing. He propped himself on his elbows to each side of her, relieving some of the weight on her chest. Their eyes clashed as a hand again brushed her hair out of her face, heat spreading through her as she became extremely aware of him. His hair was falling over his shoulders, his golden eyes glowing warmly at her in the lamp light while his adorable ears perked directly towards her.

 

“Why are you scared?” His voice was gentle though he smiled at her wickedly, a fang flashing at her.

 

“I'm not, it's just… I'm uncomfortable….” She squirmed under his knowing gaze, trying to escape the heat only to then gasp when he shifted the leg between hers, bringing his thigh more firmly against her and causing a jolt to run up her spine. “Inuyasha?” His name came out mixed with the whimper of pleasure the feeling drew from her.

 

The smile was still there but it was steadily being replaced by a more intense expression. “Shhhh, koi,” he said at her wide eyed look before nuzzling her chin up and giving her love bites along her jaw, “this is nothing to fear.”

 

Her hips unconsciously wiggled against him and he responded by lifting some of his weight from them and rubbing against the heated core once more. She whimpered into the side of his face while her hips bucked against him, her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to control the sensations and her treacherous body's reactions.

 

His mouth had reached her ear and she found all her attention directed there as he took her lobe in his mouth, his tongue bathing it before swirling over and into the ridges there. She couldn't hold back the cry she gave when his breath passed over those damp recesses, her whole body squirming in reaction.

 

Her movements and cries only incited Inuyasha's hunger further, his kisses and love bites increasing until he found her mouth and latched onto her. It was gentle at first, the pressure light and short as he tested her reception. She enjoyed the attention and started to kiss him back tentatively as he rocked against her and encouraged her to reciprocate. With her participation he became more demanding, testing the boundaries as he led her out to deeper waters.

 

He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, her moan of pleasure mixed with the pain caused by the cut there driving him to nip teasingly with his teeth before releasing it. His tongue dove into her mouth on a gasp, surging against hers and out again before her teeth snapped shut in surprise. He eased up on the kisses after that before pulling away completely, slowing their rocking at the same time while ignoring her cries of disappointment.

 

His breathing heavy with the effort, he moved all his weight to one elbow, his hips shifting to press along her thigh. She barely registered his blatant arousal as it rested against her. She was too busy gasping in breath between bruised lips while her passion glazed eyes followed his every movement. It was amazing how quickly he could become serious.

 

“Inuyasha?” she murmured, sanity slowly easing back into her gaze.

 

With his free hand, Inuyasha began to caress her from her shoulder down to her hip. She trembled with each pass, but her eyes remained locked on his.

 

“Kagome… are you afraid of me?” His vulnerability was clear in his eyes.

 

Slowly she shook her head, a frown creasing her brow. “No.”

 

He seemed more confident with her answer, his caress stronger. “Do you trust me?”

 

A small smile flittered on to her lips. “I wouldn't have taken the risk I did tonight if I didn't.”

 

He growled approvingly, his hand pausing to grip her hip possessively. “Good girl. No matter what, never fear me.” His hand moved to the obi at her waist, finding the knot there and untying it deftly. “I'm strong, but I'll never hurt you, you understand?”

 

Her breath caught as he flipped her yukata open, exposing her body to his eyes and the cold air. His gaze, however, remained focused on her face. She quickly realised he was waiting for her response, and so she nodded, her breathing shallow and her heart pounding in her chest. Was he going to take her now?

 

It was almost unbearable seeing her like this, exposed and helpless to his desires, her firm, young breasts thrust up, her arms high above her head. His member was so hard he figured that if he were to take her now, he wouldn't last past entering her. Still, he wanted to feel and see her, and if that meant torturing himself, then so be it. He hadn't been with a woman for over thirty years and another night wouldn't kill him.

 

His hand drifted up along the smooth plain of her stomach and over her ribcage until it cupped a pale breast. The skin was so soft and he marvelled at her paleness contrasting to his own skin tone. Her gasp and twitch of fear had his ears back and then forward in an instant, his eyes locking with hers.

 

“I'm not them.” The reminder was enough to relax her and she watched him as his eyes returned to her breast.

 

His hand moved over the mound of flesh, lifting it and squeezing it until the pink nipple tightened to a sharp, sensitive bud. Her breathing had picked up again and he was encouraged to follow his desires.

 

Her eyes widened when his head descended, his tongue coming out to swipe lightly over the sensitive tip. She mewled in appreciation, the coldness of the air reacting to the now wet point causing her to arch her back and press more flesh into his hand and mouth. To this offer he was more than happy to accept, a hunger taking hold of him as he devoured her, her taste and smell driving his instincts forward. He tried to take as much of the mound into his mouth as he could before suckling on it intently, her whimpers and cries encouraging him to increase the pressure. His teeth circled the bud delicately before clamping down and tugging the sensitive flesh.

 

Her cry this time was much louder than the others, the liquid heat pooling between her thighs increasing with every tug and vying for her attention with her breast.

 

“Inu… yasha!” Her cry was almost insubstantial as she tried to get across her confusion and pleasure at what his mouth was doing to her.

 

He growled in response, his hand drifting down her body once more while his mouth continued to torture her breast. When it came to the apex of her thighs, he dragged his fingers through the curls there, causing her to tug at her arms and cry out in frustrated pleasure, her heart rate increasing as he slid his fingers past the outer lips. A part of her wanted to grab his wrist and pull him away, while the dominant part begged him to continue, her legs shifting to give him better access.

 

“Kami….” He groaned heavily at what he felt there, his restraint tested again as her wetness immediately coated his fingers. “So wet, Kagome… good bitch,” he said before moving to the as yet neglected breast.

 

His fingers drew back until he found her jewel. It was already open to his touch, her sensitivity amazing him as he rubbed and suckled on her in an overwhelming play of sensations.

 

The intense shots of pleasure that came from where Inuyasha's fingers played had Kagome's eyes wide and breathe coming in fast pants. She mewled and squirmed as he worked her, a tension beginning to build in her abdomen as his finger sent shocks up her spine and his mouth suckled on her breast. A rhythm was evolving, his finger flicking over the magic spot he'd found while his mouth sucked her nipple to match it, her hips moving against his hand to join the rhythm unconsciously. Her whimpers and moans became more frequent as the tension tightened.

 

Inuyasha groaned as well, enjoying her body's responses to him. “That's it, let go for me, koi,”

 

He shifted focus then, his mouth coming up to take hers as she breathed in, his tongue slipping in without warning to surge against hers. It took her off guard for a moment, but the new sensation only intensified what his hand was doing and she kissed back just as fiercely, mimicking him until her muscles began to clench, distracting her as the pleasure reached a feverish pitch before exploding.

 

Her eyes widened as she tried to wrench her mouth away from Inuyasha's, her cry of surprise from the loss of control of her body swallowed by him. He kept up the kiss, some satisfaction coming as her release covered his hand. Still she whimpered under him, her body bucking against his. Sensing her fear he pulled back from the kiss, nuzzling her uninjured cheek lovingly.

 

“Shhh, Kagome, it's alright. I'm here, relax.” She was still breathing heavily her cheeks flushed and eyes wide as her muscles continued to twitch and spasm. “Did it feel good?”

 

She nodded slowly. It had felt amazingly good. She'd never known anything in life could feel so good. Every muscle in her body was relaxed and she felt so fulfilled and tired. But it had all been so new and overwhelming; she'd been left frightened, unsure of what was going on.

 

“Good.” He rubbed her one more time, watching her eyes flutter closed on a sharp intake of breath. “That's what you're supposed to feel when a man touches you….” He ran his nose along her jaw, breathing in her relaxed scent. “…when a man you want touches you.”

 

He removed his hand from her and could smell her on him. He brought his fingers to his mouth and licked them off, catching her watching him with a hooded gaze from the corner of his eye. Once clean he pulled her yukata closed and kissing her one more lingering time moved his hand to swiftly untie her hands before sliding down her body to pillow his head on her chest.

 

Barely recognising her freedom, Kagome flexed her hands, but let them lay where they were as her mind tried to comprehend what had happened.

 

“Inuyasha?” Kagome was tired, but confused. Wasn't there more to it? She was by far no expert, but she knew love making had something to do with the hard length she still felt pressed against her side.

 

“Go to sleep, Kagome,” Inuyasha said. He was tired after all his self restraint and would need to recoup to be ready for the morning. He nuzzled into her, relaxed by her scent. “After I win tomorrow, I'll show you the rest.”

 

Kagome remained quiet after that and soon he sensed she had done as he'd ordered. He followed after her shortly, promising himself that as soon as Naraku was dead, Kagome would be his.

 

***

 

The sound of the door sliding open made Naraku looked up from where he leaned against a wall in a hut inside the shrine grounds. An oil lamp illuminated the interior, giving off enough light to see what was directly around him. The moonlight outside was stronger; silhouetting the man the guard was throwing in.

 

“Get in there,” a rough voice said and the man stumbled forward with a grunt. “You have ten minutes with your master.”

 

The man muttered some curses under his breath, lightning arching around his clenched fist before he turned, braid whipping about him, and stepped into the circle of light. Hiten glared down at Naraku, who only smiled back at him slyly.

 

“That's quiet the bruise you have there, Hiten,” he said, commenting on the steadily healing mark Inuyasha's punch had left behind.

 

Hiten grunted and knelt down in front of his king. “I was unable to retrieve the princess, Naraku-sama. The wolf prince caught me before I could reach her and that hanyou scum arrived soon after.” He bowed down low. “Please forgive me for my failure.”

 

Naraku said nothing for a moment, his hand running over his injured arm unconsciously before he shrugged and refocused his gaze on the wall opposite him.

 

“It does not matter, after tomorrow she will have no where to run and no one to protect her.”

 

“Naraku-sama?” Hiten did not understand his masters cryptic words, though he sensed some dark secret was to be revealed to him.

 

Naraku chuckled darkly. “Do you not wonder at my entourage Hiten? It is large, even for one of my station, is it not?”

 

Hiten thought back and remembered how he had been confused by its size.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama has left himself weak, Hiten. His soldiers have been dispersed through the villages to help repairs after the storm. While I distract the court, you will lead my army to surround and infiltrate the castle. You will take what is needed for a bargaining piece. We will take back my mate and add the Western Lands to my own.”

 

Hiten bowed low, hiding the frown that appeared on his face. “And I will get my brother back?”

 

There was a rustle of cloth as Naraku shifted to be more comfortable. “Yes. Manten will be returned to you.”

 

Hiten sighed in relief. “I will do as you command, Naraku-sama.”