InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Good Enough to Eat... ❯ Cherry ( Chapter 4 )

Sorry, sorry!! Wanted to have this up yesterday but my Word program was not responding all day long. Sorry to keep you all waiting, especially those of you who I promised an update on the twentieth. I feel bad.

 

Ahem, without any adieu…

 

……………

 

Cherry

 

It had been a tense week, and Kagome was beginning to tire of being constantly on edge. The odd encounter she'd shared with the big inu Lord had changed something, and now - much to their chagrin - the daiyoukai was trailing them. During the run in he'd claimed that he was not following them… which had been true, at the time. Now, however, he was never too far off. The young miko could constantly feel his presence along the edge of her senses, tingling and flowing along her skin like a cool breeze.

 

It was disconcerting. After the past they'd shared, it was impossible for any member of the group to be comfortable while he was so near. He had yet to approach them since that day, but his mere proximity, daunting as it was, had them all unable to relax.

 

What were his motives? What, in that small span of time, had incited him to begin following them? It was rather obvious that the only thing that stood out about that whole ordeal had been his unexpected and thorough scenting of her hair… but what could that mean? How could something like the smell of her hair product impel him to trail after a group of ragtag nobodies?

 

It had been the topic of many night's discussions, and they could think of only one truly plausible explanation. He was interested in Kagome's odd, futuristic belongings. Inuyasha had explained to them that youkai of the canine breed were immensely curious, and since their sense of smell was so much more developed than any other sense, it was understandable that he would be intrigued by the bizarre objects she carried.

 

She was a little unnerved about that… and slightly flattered. That she had attracted the attention of the illustrious dai was no small thing. Kagome pulled her lip between her teeth in silent contemplation.

 

The fact that he lingered near them at all times, however, had her worried. Considering the nature of their past few meetings, she didn't really know what to expect from him. Kagome had almost preferred him before, when he was cold and clinical and all business. This new, curious Sesshomaru left her guessing, and Kagome did not like being in the dark about things that regarded her overall wellbeing. Many would have told her that she was being a little ridiculous in her worrying, but if those people had been on the receiving end of the youkai's poison claws, they might be a bit more leery of him as well.

 

Yet, there was nothing she could really do given her situation, so the young miko supposed all she could do was wait for him to make the next move… if he ever did. There was a good chance that he would grow bored after observing her for a while and just leave.

 

Sighing loudly, the young miko retrieved her empty water bottle and stood, announcing, “I'm gunna go get some water. Anyone else in need of a refill?”

 

Sango, who was deftly polishing Hiraikotsui, stopped to hand her own empty container to the blue-eyed female. “Thanks, Kagome.”

 

The handsome priest paused in his attempt to make a fire - Kagome's trusty lighter having run out of juice a few days ago - and smiled up at her. “I would be grateful if you could fill mine as well, Lady Kagome.”

 

“Mine too!” cried Shippou, who was busy helping Inuyasha skin the couple of rabbits he'd caught for supper.

 

“Sure thing,” she chuckled. “Inuyasha, could you point me in the right direction?”

 

Said hanyou lifted one bloodied hand to jerk a thumb over his shoulder, never once looking up from his work.

 

Gathering the rest of the bottles and her bow, the young woman left the small clearing and went in search of water.

 

The forest was relatively quiet, and it was easy enough for her to find a small, well worn path, beaten down by the woodland denizens. The pretty miko smiled as she trekked, greatly enjoying the splendor of the untouched land and wondering at this time's many, natural marvels. What she wouldn't give to have even a small portion of this paradise back where she came from. People truly didn't know just how much they were missing until they witnessed the beauty of a world without the influence of human expansion.

 

After about five minutes of walking, Kagome began to wonder just how far this water source was… or if she had accidentally veered off course. She could have sworn she'd been travelling in a straight line. Yet, with so many trees to weave around, it was easy to get lost, even when the distance was short.

 

Then, to her great relief, she heard a faint sloshing, her steps quickening at the reassuring sound. Soon enough she came upon a little stream - well… if one could really call it that. It was barely a trickle, the dismal little rivulet looking like it might dry up at any second.

 

However, water was water, she wouldn't be picky, and this water looked especially refreshing. So, one by one, Kagome filled the plastic bottles and then took a moment to get herself a drink. Cupping her hand into the tiny flow, she let a small amount pool in her palm and brought it to her parched lips. It was divine, cold and clean and pure.

 

Also, aside from being wholly refreshing, it brought Kagome's attention to the ragged state of her slightly chapped lips. With all this hot weather, her body was losing a lot of moisture, and she was constantly tending to it. It was - frankly - a pain in her ass. However, she didn't want to have to worry about sore, split lips, so she acquiesced to her body's needs and pulled a small tub of cherry lip balm from her pocket. The small jar was almost empty from her continuous use. It was a bloody good thing she'd bought a few handfuls of them while they were on sale during her last visit home.

 

Pressing her finger into the sweet smelling paste, she rubbed the thick substance evenly over her lips, smiling when she felt the telltale tingle on his skin. Already she felt plumped and rejuvenated. Pocketing the little tub, she gathered the bottles and started back. Suddenly, something shifted over her skin, senses prickling as that familiar, lingering aura that had been trailing them began moving closer.

 

She was a bit shocked, truthfully. After nearly a week he'd made no move to approach, so why was he changing course now? Was it because she was away from Inuyasha? Was… was he planning on harming her or something? She didn't know what to expect; it was foolish to assume anything when dealing with the Western daiyoukai.

 

Wanting to either sigh in frustration or shout in annoyance, the little human woman simply stopped, waiting for her visitor to appear. He did not disappoint, there in mere seconds and coming to a startlingly sudden halt mere feet from her. Kagome bit her abused lower lip, not sure whether she should be afraid or not. She supposed she would find out soon enough. For now she would just have to concentrate on keeping herself from having a mental breakdown… that, or wetting herself. Wouldn't that just be dandy?

 

Sesshomaru, for his part, looked so composed that it almost made her angry. How the hell could any being have such firm control over their thoughts and emotions? It was irritating.

 

Finally, after a moment of tense silence, he made that low, almost inaudible hum at the back of his throat again, his golden eyes raking down and then back up her form. They paused just at her shoulders.

 

“You have heeded the advice given, I see.”

 

She glanced back over her shoulder at her bow, nodding slowly after a moment. After that little encounter she'd taken his words to heart; she never travelled anywhere without her bow. Even middle-of-the-night bathroom trips were made with her weapon.

 

After another minute of silence, Kagome mustered up the courage to ask the question that had been plaguing everyone's mind the past week. “You've been following us since we last met. Why?”

 

“Curiosity,” he replied after a moment's contemplation, silver head tipping minimally as he regarded her with that odd - yet now familiar - light in his eyes.

 

Glad that he hadn't immediately flayed her for having the gal to question his motives, Kagome merely nodded. They had all been correct in their assumptions, then.

 

She had not expected him to continue - he was a demon of few words, after all.

 

“In all my many centuries, I have never encountered another woman who smelled quite the way you do. So many foreign, exotic scents; it is… odd.”

 

“I suppose you want some answers?” she ventured.

 

He nodded.

 

“That's why you've been following us?”

 

Again, he nodded. “This one has been curious…”

 

The space between them all but evaporated, and in the span of a heartbeat he was only an inch or so away from her, his unusual height allowing him to tower rather menacingly over her. She almost choked on her tongue. His vibrant orbs burned straight through her, chilling her to the core and bringing her blood to a boil in the same instant.

 

“This one… has been curious,” he repeated. “He wonders if you taste as good as you smell.”

 

Before she even had a chance to be flabbergasted or mortified, he struck, arm catching her around the waist as he bent and took her lower lip between his sharp, sharp teeth.

 

Playing the deer in headlights, Kagome froze stiffer than a corpse in the final stages of rigor mortis. She didn't move, didn't blink, didn't breathe as his tongue slowly traced the portion of flesh cradled so delicately between his deadly fangs.

 

It couldn't quite have been labeled as a kiss. It was more of a… sampling, like he was testing the quality of an aged wine. At first his tongue merely passed back and forth over her bottom lip, the strokes slow and languid. He then moved on to her upper lip, teeth detaching from its partner. His long, dexterous tongue traced diligently along the curve of the plump, pink protrusion, moving on after one thorough sweep to explore the recesses of her mouth.

 

Kagome was probably blue from lack of air, but she just could not bring herself to inhale when his face was so close, when his… tongue was sliding against hers in a slow, sinful sweep. Her heart was hammering loudly in her chest, and aside from trying her damndest not to move, another part of her was struggling with a far more serious matter. It was so wrong, and weird, and just plain unfathomable… but Kagome couldn't stop a part of herself from being turned on by this whole thing.

 

`Stop it, you hussy!' she shouted mentally, berating herself. `How can you stand there and be aroused by what he's doing to you?! There is absolutely NOTHING okay with this situation!'

 

One of Sesshomaru's lethal fangs grazed the sensitive flesh of her lower lip, his tongue immediately retracting from her mouth so that he could suck the abused morsel into his own hungry cavern.

 

`There isn't anything hot about the smooth silk of his hair tickling your shoulder, or the fact that his hand is so big that it nearly spans the width of your waist. Nope, nothing hot about that at all. His hard, unyielding body is in no way alluring, and the feeling of those warm, surprisingly soft lips is just… just… agonizingly incredible. Good gods, I wonder what he would do if I-'

 

Kagome paused mid thought, realizing with mortification that even her own brain was rebelling. `Holy shit! What is the matter with me?!' The little miko nearly went cross-eyed in her endeavor to silence those traitorous voices in her head, having little success at averting her attention from his ministrations. By all rights he wasn't even really kissing her… he was tasting her, he'd said it himself. She doubted that full blooded youkai even partook in the practice.

 

`They're practically beasts, after all,' she reasoned. `They probably just bite each other…' For some unknown reason, the thought only succeeded in making her hotter.

 

Finally, after having had his fill, Sesshomaru pulled back, sly tongue flicking over his upper lip. He regarded her for a moment before quirking a brow and commanding softly, “Breathe, miko.”

 

She did just that, sucking in a mouthful of air as her world slowed back to normal. Kagome looked like an idiot, she knew it. Her eyes were wide, mouth ajar as she stared up in disbelief at the silver and gold inu.

 

The daiyoukai lifted his chin minutely; his deep voice was compellingly sensuous in the quiet of the forest. “Seems I was correct in my assumption. This one is eager to discover your many other flavors, priestess.”

 

Kagome could do naught but gawk, her body still stiff from shock.

 

In the distance, Inuyasha's voice called out. Apparently he felt she was dawdling.

 

Sesshomaru took a step back, informing her, “We shall continue this upon our next meeting, little one.” Then, with flowing, graceful motions, he knelt and collected the water bottles that had fallen from her limp fingers and pressed them to her chest, maneuvering her arms to cradle the small load. He gripped her shoulders lightly and turned her in the opposite direction, his hand coming to her back and giving a gentle push.

 

The action got her moving, her steps small and sluggish as she ambled down the path she'd originally come from. She probably resembled some kind of wind up toy, walking blindly forward with robotic movements. Had there been a root protruding from the ground, she would have tripped. Hell, if an elephant suddenly appeared in her way, chances were she wouldn't have taken note until she ran into it.

 

Her mind had gone from running nonstop in a jumble of nonsensical gibberish… to alarmingly blank. Suddenly, in a hard jolt, everything restarted. What… had just… happened? Was she dreaming? Having some kind of warped nightmare?

 

No… the warmth on her mouth told her that it had all been real, traces of Sesshomaru's own, spicy flavor still lingering on her tongue. What the hell was she going to tell her friends?!

 

Before she had a chance to come up with some kind of a fib, she emerged in the campsite, all eyes turning to her. It was obvious by their shocked expressions that her appearance told them something had occurred.

 

Inuyasha's concerned, golden eyes were suddenly in her direct line of sight, and he grabbed her shoulders while demanding, “Kagome, what the fuck happened to you?”

 

She looked sheepishly around the camp, meeting everyone's curious eyes before returning to her hanyou friend's questioning glare. “I… uh… found out why Sesshomaru was following us.”

 

……………

 

So there we have it! Naughty, naughty old dog. I giggle when I think about a shell-shocked Kagome wandering through the woods like a wind-up toy. I entertained the idea of having her trip, but thought that she'd been through enough for one chapter.

 

I really appreciate the review all of the reviews, but would like to say something to those who are sending suggestions. I really adore the enthusiasm, but don't get your hopes up on anything. Some of these ideas are really cute and would probably make for interesting chapters, but I already have this whole thing mapped out. I have no intention to change it. I'm just lettgin you know so that you don't get disappointed when I don't use the idea. It's not that I don't like the ideas, just that I'm sticking o the blueprint. Thank you for the support, though!