InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dog Skin ❯ No One Knows ( Chapter 19 )

Dog Skin

 

Chapter Nineteen: No One Knows

 

Once their leader had been defeated, it hadn't taken long to put down those of Naraku's men left inside the castle gates. Sesshoumaru's remaining guard and armed servants had been controlling the situation quite well up till then. Those who fought outside the castle walls to take control of the town had been a little more difficult to subdue. However, those lords who stood to gain from being in his good graces had offered their own samurai for his use, and he had made good on that.

 

The attempted invasion was all but crushed, the remaining Thunder Brother held under wards provided by the monk, Miroku. After Hiten's death the creature had gone insane, swearing revenge on the princess who had slain his beloved brother. That could not be tolerated. However, what would happen with Manten along with the remainder of Naraku's men was entirely dependent on his brother's actions once he awoke.

 

Said brother, he had been informed by Jaken, had already been moved by servants into his own chamber, the princess having gone with him. He had also been told that the monk had come and collected the slayer and her younger brother. The boy's injuries had been severe and he had told his physicians to keep him informed. The young man had done his duty to his lord, putting his life on the line to protect his queen. Sesshoumaru could only reward such devotion.

 

However, now that everything else had been taken care of, Sesshoumaru was able to deal with what had been concerning him the most.

 

He entered his chamber to find Kagura lying in their pallet, breathing laboured and eyes closed, a small frown furrowing her brow. Naraku's move to break the blood-bond he had with Kagura had been unexpected, especially considering the unknown effect it could have had on the now deceased king. Sesshoumaru was not pleased at missing such a possibility and so leaving his newly taken mate open to attack. Not even when it had happened had he been aware of what Naraku had done, and so unable to shield or support her like he had sworn to her he would. Now, due to a lapse in his judgement, his mate had been left in a weak and vulnerable state, a position no demon wished to be in.

 

Her eyes cracked open when he knelt beside her, her ruby slits watching him guardedly.

 

“This Sesshoumaru is… pleased to see you are recovering. It is regretful that Naraku's plan was not discovered before he had a chance to implement it.” It was the closest he could bring himself to an apology.

 

Her eyes closed once more and she released a long breath, tension in her shoulders and back visibly draining from her. He realised then that she'd thought he'd come to reprimand her.

 

“Help me sit up,” she said, her normally defiant tone quiet and subdued.

 

He slipped his arm under her back and lifted her, allowing her to rest against his chest until she was steady. At her insistence he released her, amused by her need to prove herself to him even after he had chosen her. Eventually she would learn it was safe to let down her guard with him, but habits were hard to break, especially when it came to self preservation.

 

They sat in silence for a time, her gaze downcast, and her fingers twisting together with the absence of her fan.

 

“Inuyasha-sama… did he….” The question hung in the air, unspoken but asked.

 

“No. O-hime Kagome was able to stop him,” Sesshoumaru said. “He now lay's in human form in his room with her at his side, or so Jaken has informed me.”

 

“Naraku?”

 

“Dead, his army defeated.”

 

She was silent. Then her shoulders shuddered and she let out a small laugh.

 

“It is done then. We're… free from him….”

 

He saw the drop of water hit her clasped hands, and his eyes widened in fascination. He didn't hesitate in taking hold of her chin and force her to face him. Glassy, tear filled eyes looked up at him, shame slowly creeping into them even as tears streamed down her cheeks. He was speechless.

 

“I'm sorry,” she said in a murmur.

 

With a finger he cleared the path of tears from her cheek, only to have more fall to take their place. He cupped her face then, aware of her growing discomfort at his close study.

 

“These,” he said, indicating the tears with another swipe of his thumb, “are for me only. No one else knows this side of you.”

 

She stared at him incredulously, then, she smiled.

 

***

 

Sesshoumaru stood in the doorway to his brother's rooms, his gaze directed on the princess who knelt at the side of his currently unconscious brother. Once composed, Kagura had asked him to retrieve the princess. There were certain realities about being with a demon, even if he was a half-breed, which she needed to know.

 

Sesshoumaru's lip curled at the sight of his brother in human form. As a human, Inuyasha was weak and untried. As was necessary, his human night was hidden from all others, and so he had never been able to prove himself capable as a human. Sesshoumaru only knew the day because it had been part of their agreement all those years ago when Inuyasha had come seeking his birthright.

 

But as a hanyou, Inuyasha was admittedly impressive in his abilities, a credit to their father's blood. Today had been a good example of that. It had been an impressive duel, Inuyasha holding his own against such a formidable opponent. Even as a human, Naraku had been a known master of combat, and Sesshoumaru knew that had Inuyasha been allowed to fight Naraku for Kikyou in the demon custom back then, he still would have had a tough time defeating him. In this case, it was regrettable that Inuyasha had been forced to revert to pure demonic instinct to get the job done, but in the end he had come out victorious, and in the demon world, that was all that really mattered.

 

The princess reached out a hand, her finger running along Inuyasha's cheek where his markings had been before trailing into his hair to play with the silky strands. She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping.

 

“It's happened before.”

 

She jumped at his words, looking over her shoulder with startled eyes. “Pardon?”

 

He entered the room, moving to stand over his brother to regard him with a heavy lidded gaze. “Long ago he was hunting rogues with Sango's father along the border. They met up with a dangerous youkai with the ability to read thoughts. The taijiya was gravely injured while the jaws of the youkai were able to snap the sword that keeps Inuyasha's demon blood sealed.” He paused, his gaze drifting to the sword that now lay by Inuyasha's side.

 

“The Tessaiga was fixed, but since then it must be by his side in battle. If his life is in danger and he is separated from it, his instincts will take control. In that instance, he will attack anyone, friend and foe alike. When he comes back to himself, he remembers nothing.”

 

There was silence as the princess took in this bit of information. “He didn't attack me, though.”

 

Sesshoumaru looked at her from the corner of his eye. “In a manner, he did.”

 

“I see,” she said, her fingers stroking through Inuyasha's hair yet again. “Inuyasha would never hurt me.”

 

“It would be against all youkai instinct for him to kill you. All signals indicate that you belong to him. But hurting you physically, in that mind frame, he would do it. Whether to punish you or for the sheer pleasure in the act, he would do it. Do not forget, he is youkai.”

 

She turned a glare on him, the defiant fire in her eyes assuring him that she was indeed the right choice for his brother.

 

“Do you still wish to be with him?”

 

She nodded, doubt not even shading her eyes for a moment. “Nothing could ever change my mind.”

 

He nodded in return. “Kagura wishes to speak with you. Do not worry about Inuyasha. I will remain here with him.”

 

She gave Inuyasha one more look before removing her fingers from his hair and standing. “Very well,” she said, bowing low to him before hesitantly moving to the shoji. “I'll return soon, Sesshoumaru-sama.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded and waited until she had left the room, the shoji closed behind her, before turning back to his half brother. “You can open your eyes now, Inuyasha. We have much to discuss.”

 

***

 

“Kagura-sama? You wanted to see me?” Kagome said as she slid the door closed behind her. She felt more than a little awkward about this meeting, but was glad it was occurring and away from curious eyes and ears. It was odd, adjusting to Kagura's new position; now she was no longer her guardian and servant, but a queen, her queen.

 

Kagura sat in her futon, luxurious blankets piled around her. Already colour was coming back into her cheeks. She met Kagome's gaze with a brief smile before her expression became decidedly more serious. Kagome knelt beside her former guardian, a little put off by this odd behaviour.

 

“Kagome-sama,” said Kagura with a frown, “are you well?”

 

Kagome nodded, smiling reassuringly. “Yes, Kagura-sama, I'm fine.”

 

Kagura paused, seemingly having trouble with putting into words what she wanted to. “I… I'm sorry, Kagome-sama, for the loss of your Otou-sama. He was a good man, once.”

 

“Ah…,” said Kagome, glancing down at her hands folded in her lap. “Thank you Kagura-sama. I know he was once good, I just wish I hadn't ignored the changes in him until it was too late. I can't help but think it was my fau-”

 

“Stop that!” Kagura grabbed her hand, forcing Kagome to look in to her frowning gaze. “You were only a child when it began, and he refused to let the priests train you in your spiritual powers. He made sure to hide all his actions from you, shelter you and keep you ignorant of the happenings in the kingdom. You can't blame yourself for this.”

 

Kagome shook her head, trying to release her hand from Kagura's tight hold. “Ignorance is no excuse. Besides, you were sure to let me know what he was up to.”

 

Kagura's frown deepened and she released her hand with a huff. “I did so for your sake. Someone had to appease the angered spirits with prayers. But if you must blame yourself, then make it up to your people by ruling them well.”

 

“What?” Kagome said in confusion. She reeled slightly at the reminder of something she had believed lost to her; she had given up her kingdom when she had run away from marriage to her father. He had denounced her as his daughter to get what he wanted, therefore denying her the title. Up until now it had been a dream that she could ever return to the home she once knew and set things right with her people.

 

“Inuyasha defeated and killed Naraku in combat, therefore rightfully winning his intended's hand. The Eastern Kingdom is now without a ruler and is held by default in the protection of Sesshoumaru-sama, whose forces defeated the army that invaded his lands. He has seen fit to give those lands to Inuyasha as a reward for his part in defence of his territory.”

 

“But, w-what-” Kagome said in a stutter, her features frozen by shock.

 

Kagura rolled her eyes. “You know nothing of youkai even after being surrounded by them all your life.” Kagura met Kagome's now confused look with a wry grin. “Inuyasha declared you his intended in front of his peers. He won a duel that challenged his claim. You have not fought the claim in any way, and are known to spend your nights in his bed.”

 

Kagome's cheeks heated. “But, we haven't… he hasn't-”

 

“What you have and haven't done is not important. By all intents and purposes, you are now mates. I'm sure Sesshoumaru-sama is informing Inuyasha even now of his responsibilities to you and the kingdom and that brings me to why I wanted you here.”

 

Kagome's head was swimming from all the information that had just been thrown at her. Merely a banished princess not a few moments ago, she was now a married queen with responsibilities she was not sure she was prepared for. And there appeared to be more.

 

“What more could there be, Kagura-sama?” Her voice was weak at best.

 

“You are married to a hanyou, Kagome-sama. Do you know what that means?” Kagura showed no sympathy. “He is part youkai; this means if another youkai wants his territory, he can challenge him to it. Sesshoumaru would support him if it was an invasion force, but a single rogue could rightfully challenge only Inuyasha. If it were to win, Inuyasha would lose everything, including you.”

 

Kagome gasped, the very idea of being handed over to a stranger frightening and angering her at once. “But, I'm human! And he's part human!” she said angrily. “Doesn't that count for anything?”

 

Kagura was silent for a moment, her expression thoughtful. “I wouldn't know. Hanyou rarely if ever reach the position Inuyasha has found himself in. I suppose if he were to lose, your humanity and his may protect you from such a fate. But really, it comes down to what the prevailing youkai wishes.”

 

Kagome shuddered, but then caught herself. She was becoming frightened of possibilities. Inuyasha was strong; she had seen that with her own eyes. There was nothing to fear from the future.

 

“Inuyasha would never lose. He's strong and too stubborn to allow himself to be defeated,” she said with conviction.

 

Kagura regarded her sceptically. “I have no doubt in that. It's you I'm curious about, Kagome-sama. Are your feeling's for him strong enough to risk such a possibility?”

 

Kagome had the grace to blush. “If you're asking if I love him-”

 

“Keh, I don't know enough about love to think it would be helpful in that situation.”

 

“What do you mean? You must know. You're in love with Sesshoumaru-sama,” she said, clearly confused.

 

Kagura couldn't help but laugh, though she was still too weak for it. She had to lie back down from the exertion.

 

“Kagura,” Kagome said with concern, “Don't you….” Her blush deepened, “love him?”

 

“Hn,” Kagura looked away, a distant look on her face, “love is a human concept and is rarely shared between youkai. Devotion is usually the closest we come to it, and that takes time and the building of trust to achieve.” She fell silent for a moment. When she spoke again; her voice was thoughtful and wistful almost. “Someday, perhaps, we will reach that point, but for now I will be content with the comfort he offers me.”

 

Kagome wasn't completely comfortable with the idea herself, but then was she any better? She still wasn't sure about her feelings for Inuyasha after all, but was more than willing to be with him. She cared about him, would follow him where ever he lead as long as he wanted her by his side. Perhaps this was love? At the very least, it was devotion.

 

“Well?” Kagura asked, “You still haven't answered my question.”

 

Kagome didn't hesitate to answer. “Yes, my feelings for him are strong enough to weather anything the future may bring.”

 

“Good,” said Kagura, pleased enough with her former wards mind frame to smile, “then I relinquish my guardianship of you into Inuyasha's capable hands.”

 

***

 

When she returned he was still sleeping and Sesshoumaru was already gone. Her head was still spinning from everything Kagura had told her, but she figured she had time to become used to the new changes in her life. They would not be returning to her home until he was well again and arrangements could be made for the move.

 

Kneeling at his side once again, she was pleased to see that his youkai characteristics where beginning to return. His hair was bleeding into white and his ears had begun to point and were shifting up to the top of his head to become adorable puppy ears before her very eyes. She couldn't help the flood of relief that filled her.

 

The purification had been an instinctual reaction to his behaviour; she'd been so angry with his manhandling and lack of respect. She'd immediately felt bad for it, especially when she'd found herself pinned under his unconscious weight. Miroku had arrived shortly after and had to help her move him off her. A little muddled, she'd sat by him, trying to find focus as she recovered. She'd been fascinated by what she saw when she could get a better look at him; ink black hair, blunt nails and human ears. She'd immediately missed the dog ears, but still, she had to admit he made a handsome human.

 

Now that those ears were back and he looked so vulnerable, she couldn't resist taking advantage of the opportunity. With bated breath she reached for and gently captured one of those ears between her finger and thumb, marvelling at their puppy-fur softness as she caressed them, and noting the need to be all the more careful because of it. The one not being touched twitched, as though jealous of the other, while a low groan of appreciation dragged from deep in Inuyasha's throat. She giggled softly only to then gasp and pull her hand back as his eyes slit open to regard her with an intense amber gaze.

 

“I- I'm sorry,” she said, a blush rising to her cheeks.

 

He said nothing, only reached to curl fingers around her obi and jerk her down, the constriction of her kimono causing her to fall gracelessly against him, her ear to his heart. Clawed fingers traced lines on the nape of her exposed neck, a soothing motion in time with his breathing. Her initial tension melted away and she let out a contented sigh. The fingers of the hand by her face began to play with the material of his haori and she closed her eyes in content.

 

They lay like that for sometime, each lost in their own thoughts but enjoying their closeness. Kagome had nearly fallen asleep when Inuyasha's whispered words drew her back to the waking world.

 

“What was that, Inuyasha?” she asked, drowsy. There was a damp spot under her chin. Had she been drooling? She blushed at the possibility.

 

He was quiet for a few moments and she wondered if he would repeat himself.

 

“I said… I'm sorry.” His voice was quiet and his hand stilled, resting on the back of her head.

 

Kagome shifted, turning her head so she could see Inuyasha's face. He was staring up at the ceiling, his ears pressed to his head.

 

“Sorry?” She wasn't sure what he was talking about.

 

His gaze flicked to her before returning to the ceiling. “For your Otou-sama. I'm sorry I had to kill him. And for attacking you, Sesshoumaru said I went after you. I'm sorry if I hurt you.”

 

Kagome looked down, becoming sombre at the thought of her father. She fingered the thread that came along the front of his haori.

 

“You don't have to feel guilty for that. You didn't kill him. He'd been dead for a long time already.” She played with the thread a little more before releasing it and looking up at him with a smile. “As for that, you didn't hurt me. You could never hurt me.”

 

He stared at her blankly. How could she have such faith in him after she had seen what he was capable of? Gripping her biceps, he drew her up along him until they were face to face, the barest of space separating them.

 

Her smile faltered only a little as confusion settled in. A frown marred his brow now as he studied her, staring into her eyes and looking for something she could not fathom.

 

“I could… I would hurt you, like that,” he said forcefully, his voice rough to cover up the vulnerability she suddenly sensed there. “I would hurt you, and I would revel in it, your screams, your pleas, they'd make it that much more sweet. I'm youkai, Kagome.”

 

She shook her head, disturbed by the conviction she heard behind his words, but able to smile still. “You could never hurt me.”

 

Then they were kissing and he was holding her to him in a tight embrace with no room to move. There was such a desperation on his side that it almost frightened her. She did her best to sooth him, trying to gentle the kiss that was bruising her lips, even as she basked in the attention. Her breath caught as one of his hands found her neckline and plunged beneath it, his claws ripping through the bindings over her breast before his fingers found her nipple to then pinch it as if to prove he could hurt her without a second thought. A squeak wormed its way up her throat at such rough treatment, but had no where to go but into his mouth as he slipped his tongue along hers.

 

If not for the scratch at the door that had him releasing her, she wondered how far he would have gone to prove his point. She pulled back with a gasp for air, staring at him in shock as he watched her. Sitting up he pulled her kimono to cover her more respectfully, his eyes trained on hers the whole time.

 

“Enter!” he said with a growl.

 

The door slid open, a servant Kagome recognised from the kitchen holding a tray of tea and food before her. The girl glanced up at her as she set the tray inside the room and Kagome knew she saw recognition alight on her face. Yes, the servants would soon know they'd had a princess in their midst this whole time. She mentally cringed at the mayhem that would erupt in the kitchens from such a revelation. Poor Kaede….

 

“Your dinner, Inuyasha-sama,” said the servant with a bow.

 

Inuyasha nodded curtly. “You can go.”

 

The girl hesitated, looking as though that were her greatest wish. “Inuyasha-sama, I'm sorry, but Sesshoumaru-sama wishes for you and the O-hime-sama to join him and his Jo'ou-sama once you have finished. He said he wishes to discuss the future.”

 

A growl rumbled from him and he looked away from the girl, clearly not happy with having to see his brother again so soon. The girl cringed, frightened by the sound.

 

“Thank you,” Kagome said, feeling sympathy for the girl. “Tell him we will meet with him when able.”

 

Relieved the servant girl bowed low once more and closed the shoji as quietly as she could when retreating so quickly.

 

Glancing at Inuyasha, who was now glowering off to the side, Kagome decided it was best to let him be for now. With a sigh she scooted over to the tray and began to unload it. It didn't take long before she was aware that Inuyasha was now watching her as she worked. Frowning slightly she ignored him and continued with her task

 

She was just lifting the tea to pour it when there was a rustle of cloth. She froze, hands stilling on the teapot and then releasing it when two arms wrapped around her middle and pulled her back to the futon and against the hard warmth of Inuyasha's body. His nose pressed to her neck as he inhaled deeply before pressing his lips to her skin, moving them up along the flesh till his teeth caught hold of her lobe. Her breath caught and her eyes nearly rolled back as his breath whispered across the sensitive skin there.

 

“I need you,” he said in a pained whimper against her ear, his voice causing her to shiver in reaction. “I'm sorry, but I need you more than anything and it makes me crazy to think I could lose you through my own actions.” His hand slid down her front and over her obi to grasp an edge of her kimono.

 

“Inuyasha…,” she said, trying to keep her voice from wavering as his tongue slid over her flesh.

 

“Say you're mine, say I can have you,” he said in a murmur, his hand pulling the top panel away to then move to the other edge. “Please say you'll have me.”

 

She couldn't say no to him. She didn't want to say no to him. Turning her head and pushing her fears aside Kagome found his lips and kissed him with as much passion as she could, trying to make him understand that he was everything to her. Her hands found his to rest over them and keep them still for the moment. He tried to take control of the kiss, but she wouldn't let him, pulling back just the slightest bit and moving away each time he tried to renew the contact; this was her kiss and she would take it where she wanted it to go.

 

“I'm here,” she said in a murmur against his lips, “I'm not going anywhere.”

 

Breathing ragged she tried to nudge his face up with a slight press of her nose to his cheek. He eventually got the message and tilted his head back. The odd angle allowed her little access to him, but she could reach his chin, which she kissed and nipped at before moving back to his mouth to accept the kiss he was moving in for.

 

With a groan he took control once more, plunging his tongue into her mouth to once again taste her distinct flavour. Shaking her hand from his, he continued to peel back the layers of her kimono to bare her thighs to the chill of the late afternoon air. With no barriers to block him he didn't hesitate to touch and caress her soft thighs, already imagining them wrapped around his waist as he drove into her over and over.

 

She shivered at his touch, his hand moving along her inner thigh in light, stimulating passes that had her senses screaming in hyper awareness. Between his kisses and touches, her head felt light. She was having trouble drawing in enough breath and the constriction of the obi around her middle meant any breaths she managed were shallow at best. But with the necessity of seeing his brother so soon, she couldn't blame him for not wanting to undress her. It would require calling in a servant to help her dress once more and that would make what they had done embarrassingly obvious.

 

When his hand finally came up to tease her curls she began to squirm, her memory of what that hand had done to her last night making her eager for it's touch. He chuckled against her mouth and then nipped at her lower lip before suddenly removing his hand from her. She cried out in disappointment, she didn't want him to stop.

 

Fearing he'd changed his mind when he slid his hand under her and began to lift her from him, she twisted and squirmed, trying to dislodge his hold on her. She wanted to stay with him, explore these sensations he was inciting in her. When the arm around her middle tighten and press her to him, she went still, her body tense

 

“Shh, don't be afraid, it's me,” he said, clearly believing she had become frightened of the intimacy once again.

 

Kagome shook her head in frustration with enough force that a few hairpins came loose. “No, that's not it, it's just I thought….” A blush coursed over her cheeks as she caught herself. What had he done to her?

 

“You thought what?” he asked, nuzzling her reddened cheek to bring her attention back to him.

 

She peeked up at him from the corner of her eye, her voice small as she forced her words out. “I-I thought you were going to s-stop… and… I didn't want you to.”

 

A self-satisfied smirk lifted the corners of his mouth. “Don't worry, I'm not stopping.” To prove his words he continued to lift her, bunching her skirts around her waist only to then place her back on his lap, her bent legs to either side of his thighs and his hands on her naked hips. “See?”

 

Before she could think of a response that would retrieve her dignity, his hands were moving on her again, one sliding between the lips of her sex and the other finding it's way to her breast. She gasped as he kneaded her, flicking a finger over her nipple as he latched onto her neck, sucking and nipping on the flesh and causing her to tilt her head to the side in appreciation and open invitation. She felt like she was about to break apart with the sensation overload and needing a focus, reached with a trembling hand to catch a fuzzy ear. An appreciative groan came from her hanyou prince and his mouth lost all movement on her. He tilted his head into her fingers, pressing the ear more fully into her hand.

 

“Looks like I found your weak spot,” she murmured, grinning in satisfaction.

 

A rumbling growl was his only response before he slid his finger along her slick folds to rub the sensitive nub there. She whimpered at his touch, her eyes, like his, now focused on his hand as he built up the fire in her abdomen.

 

“It's only fair since I already know all of yours,” he said darkly, nipping her once again on her sensitive earlobe.

 

Kagome whimpered and her hand stilled on his ear. Somewhere in the back of his mind Inuyasha was amused by her absorption in what his hand was doing. He had to admit, he was enjoying watching too, his stiff member twitching as her bottom squirmed against it, his excitement and need growing as he watched his middle finger play within her, his other fingers spreading her for a better view. He wanted her, god damn-it he wanted her so fucking bad.

 

Abandoning her breast, he fumbled with the ties of his hakama. Kagome's free hand went to his hip, steadying herself at the loss of his supporting arm. Inuyasha hissed through his teeth when his erection was finally released and slid against the smooth skin of her behind. Already his mind was providing him with images of himself sinking into Kagome and he knew he needed to be in her soon.

 

“It'll be uncomfortable at first, but it'll get better, I promise,” he said in a murmur against her ear. She turned her heavy lidded gaze on him and nodded, still breathing heavily as he continued to play with her. The trust in her eyes had him wishing he could prepare her better, but with his claws there was no way he would try stretching her in advance.

 

Gripping his hip Kagome tried to prepare. For what she wasn't sure, but her anxiety was mounting as he removed his hand from her to take hold of her hips again and shift her, bringing her back and angling her toward him. The thick hardness she'd felt pressed to her bottom slid between her cheeks as he guided them both, before it came to rest at her dripping sex. She began to play with his ear again, more for her comfort than for him, before she forced her gaze down again.

 

Her first sight of a man didn't last long as he began to press into her almost immediately after. Her breath caught at the sight and feeling of him disappearing inside her. He was stretching her, filling her to a point that was almost painful. And then it was painful and she couldn't stop the alarmed cry that left her lips, her eyes widening in surprise as tears formed almost immediately. But still he kept going.

 

“Inuyasha….”

 

Inuyasha yelped in pain when her hand clenched his ear, folding it in ways it wasn't meant to fold. “Damn-it, Kagome,” he said, nipping her reprovingly on her neck. Her muscles had tightened around him in a deliciously painful way while her body had gone stiff in his arms, speaking strongly of her discomfort. Once he was fully seated in her he'd let her get used to him but she had to relax for that to happen. “You gotta relax.”

 

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut, the tears forced out to run down her cheeks. “It hurts, Inuyasha,” she said, gasping with effort against her kimono bindings.

 

Recognising she was near panic, Inuaysha moved a hand from her hip to knead her thigh reassuringly. The muscles, tight and hard at first, twitched under his insistent rubbing before relaxing. “It's okay, Kagome, you just need to relax and it won't hurt so much.”

 

Trying to do as he said, Kagome focused on controlling her breathing and the hand massaging her thigh. He kissed her neck encouragingly as she released her tension enough for him to slide the rest of the way in.

 

A whine of appreciation was his response to the sensation of her slick walls encasing him so completely. He was clutched so tightly he thought he might explode. Instinct urged him to move, but her whimpers at even the slightest shift of his pelvis had him holding back. He'd hurt her enough already, he didn't need to scare her into never wanting to try this again. But still, it was hard holding onto his shredded self-control.

 

“Oh kami, Kagome, you feel so good,” he said on a moan, and tried to distract himself and her by starting to play with her sensitive nub once again.

 

It was like a shock, the barest of touches having her jolting on his lap, her inner muscles subtly rippling around him. Kagome didn't know what to think as she arched back against him with a moan, the pain forgotten in that moment of pleasure as her hips undulating in an instinctive move to preserve the sensation.

 

It was all too much for him and he began to move within her, pulling out only to push back in, her body driving him wild. It seemed unable to make up its mind as it first tried to suck him back in and then try to keep him out. The slide of friction only encouraged him, her mixed cries leaving him hungry for more. Her head had lolled back onto his shoulder; eyes squeezed shut and mind lost to the sensation only he could give her. Again his finger moved over her and he smirked into her neck as she cried out in mindless pleasure. She was so, fucking, sensitive.

 

It was building again, what she had experienced last night. It was there just on the edge of her awareness, building in tides that had her muscles quivering and body moving to help her reach it. The pain was still there, but dulled by the pleasure. He leaned forward a bit and she was forced to release his ear and hip to rest her palms on his knees as he took a more forceful hold on her hips, claws pricking into her skin. The shift of angle was startling and she bit her lip on a moan as his movements intensified, his pelvis connecting with her bottom in increased regularity, his movements shallow and forceful.

 

With a final thrust he pulled her down, burying himself deep within her. He stiffened beneath her, a savage growl of appreciation ripping through him to vibrate into her as he found his release.

 

She had been close, she'd felt herself just on the cusp of that glorious release and for a moment she felt cheated. Then his finger moved and the wave of building pleasure crested throwing her body into uncontrollable spasms, her muscles rippling around him to milk from him all he had left. As pleasure flooded her extremities, her world went white, her breathing erratic as she choked on whimpering cries and she gasped for breath. She was becoming light headed, and in the end it was too much for her. The world that had been white went black.

 

***

 

It was sometime later when she came too. She was lying against Inuyasha's chest as he leaned against the wall, the futon beneath them and his arms around her. Her clothing had been rearranged to cover her once more, and she had the distinct impression that she had been cleaned up. She snuggled deeper into his warm body.

 

“You awake?” asked Inuyasha, his voice rumbling with barely veiled amusement.

 

“Mmm hmm,” she said, looking up at him with a contented smile.

 

He returned a half smile. “Good.” His claws began trailing along her neck. “I was worried when you fainted like that and stayed unconscious for so long. Are you feeling okay?”

 

Kagome took a moment to assess her body's condition. By the throbbing between her legs, she knew she wouldn't be moving around much in the near future. She would be lucky if she could make it to see Sesshoumaru and Kagura without needing Inuyasha to carry her. But then again, she didn't really want to go anywhere right now. She just felt so deliciously content and relaxed where she was. Perhaps they could skip it?

 

A blush surfaced with little encouragement at the memory of the mind numbing pleasure she'd experienced with Inuyasha and she became intensely fascinated with the thread across Inuyasha's haori once again. It had been amazing, but she couldn't deny she had been frightened. When the darkness had come it had been almost a welcoming relief.

 

“Nn, I'm fine, Inuyasha,” she said, and as if to prove it, she shifted to sit up and face him only to then cringe in pain as her muscles protested from the sudden movement.

 

His hands were on her immediately, steadying her as he frowned in concern. “Are you sure you're all right?”

 

She nodded, drawing in a deep breath as she became used to the sensation. “Ya, I'm just stiff, that's all.”

 

Inuyasha continued to frown, but released her when she pulled away. He turned to the tray of food he had apparently moved closer and lifted chopsticks piled with rice and a piece of crab to her mouth. “You need to eat something before we see Sesshoumaru. It'll take all your energy to put up with the bastard.”

 

Kagome grinned at his seemingly habitual slight to his brother before obediently opening her mouth and accepting the food. She was sure he would have continued feeding her, but she had the dignity to take over for herself, taking choice bites and even feeding a few to him as they ate in companionable silence.

 

“How long was I out, anyway?” she asked, curious since she had never fainted before.

 

“About ten or so minutes,” he said, lifting his tea for a sip.

 

She felt ashamed at such a sign for weakness. “I'm sorry if I worried you,” she said softly.

 

“Keh,” he said, and took another sip of tea. “I was just too much for you.”

 

She couldn't help herself. She punched him in the arm in a very un-princess like response. He gave a half hearted “Ow,” and rubbed the spot she'd hit before a sly smile found its way onto his lips. She couldn't help but laugh.

 

***

 

A/N: Thank you for not requiring seppuku for the last chapter. Disturbingly enough, however, a lot of you implied that I should postpone it till after I'm done with the story. The lesson here; be careful with your wording peoples, unless that is what you meant to imply… in which case…O__O,

 

I agonized over this chapter incessantly. Self-doubted, self-criticised, and invited Midoriko-sama to cut my heart out during her beta work and show it to me. She was very gentle, I assure you. Delicate touch that one. I've read over it, reworded passages and added and subtracted and still I'm not sure how I feel about it. But I know it's done as much as it can be and I hope you all enjoyed it.

 

Just so's you know, there is an epilogue.

 

Questions: “Deerskin”. Never heard of it until after I'd started writing this. I kid you not. I've been searching for a copy of it since I found out but have not been able to find one. I'm curious to see how close I am to that version. I will find it though, of yes, I will.