InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Identities ❯ Zeniths and Nadirs ( Chapter 9 )

Zeniths and Nadirs

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the assorted characters associated with the franchise.

Acknowledgements: As always, a huge, huge thank you to Feni my beta, who keeps me on track when I get slightly embarrassed by being in the head of my primary character!

A/N: Apologies for the change in section breaks. I'm hoping this sorts out my issues with FF.Net!

Thanks: To the Feudal Association, and the 3rd Place Award for Drama Fiction!

Warnings: There is a big, honking lemon in this chapter. With mirrors. It's fairly obvious where it starts, so if you do not want to read it, feel free to skip down a couple of pages.

 

 

Ұ Ф Ұ Ф Ұ

 

 

Half an hour after the ill-fated conversation over Kikyo, the main door was pushed open. Kagome looked up expectantly as it revealed an achingly familiar silver haired figure in red. Inuyasha smiled faintly when he saw the girl sprawled on the floor surrounded by other members of the Youkai Pack.

 

“Hey wench,” he greeted softly.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome scrambled up onto her feet, rushing towards him. At the last moment, the young woman remembered they were in company, and settled for a fragile smile instead. Concern flickered in the edges of his expression, before he ignored propriety and pulled her securely against his chest. Wrapping strong arms around her, Inuyasha tucked her head under his chin, creating as much physical contact as possible. Half hidden in the enveloping sleeves of his jacket and surrounded by the scent that was uniquely him, Kagome felt safe for the first time in several days. The rush of relief threatened to break the precarious dam of control on her battered feelings and a scratchy lump formed in the back of her throat. I'm going to cry if I'm not careful. The girl took a deep shuddering breath that caused the arms around her to tighten, one hand moving to comfortingly rub her back. A soft, animalistic growl rumbling in his chest instantly calmed her nerves.

 

After a minute or so, Kagome finally became aware of Shippo making retching noises in the background. Oh gosh... we're intimately wrapped around each other in public! My mother would be horrified! Flushing as scarlet as the hanyou's outfit, the girl leaned back, wordlessly asking for release. There was a fraction of a second where the man didn't move, before his arms slackened and he reluctantly allowed her withdrawal. The subtle byplay wasn't lost on their now-smirking audience.

 

Stepping backwards, Kagome clasped her hands together. “Um... Welcome back.”

 

Ignoring her polite greeting, Inuyasha's mouth twisted. “What's going on, Kagome?”

 

After desperately wanting his company for the last twenty-four hours, the young woman found herself at a loss as to how to start. He's going to explode if I just tell him everything straight off, she realised painfully. I have to work out a way to explain the last few days without him going ballistic so that we can sort out what's been happening. “Kouga brought me here,” the girl prevaricated, mulling over her options.

 

The hanyou shot Kagome an unreadable look. “Well, yeah. I figured that one out myself considering you reek of the wolf, but that wasn't what I asked. I asked what's going on, because I don't understand why he brought you or why the Lord Mighty Ass is letting you stay considering there's something screeching with power nearby.” Tilting his head, he studied the unfamiliar outfit, Yuka's floaty fabrics a little discordant with Kagome's usual style. The girl fidgeted under his intense scrutiny, his eyes tracking the nervous movements she attempted to hide. “When Sess said you were here, I'd already guessed something interesting must have happened, but... those aren't your clothes and you're hiding something. So tell me.”

 

So much for softening the blow! Chewing on her lip, the girl admitted, “Someone broke into my flat yesterday, so I phoned the emergency number you left me.”

 

Inuyasha went very still, before he reached forward and caught her hand. “Someone was in your flat?” Kagome nodded hesitantly. “Someone was in your flat yesterday?” His fingers tightened almost painfully. “Then why the hell didn't you phone yesterday, you idiot?”

 

“I stayed at Yuka's on Friday night, and only discovered it today,” she replied, wincing at the barely restrained anger radiating from his lean frame. Do I tell him about Kagewaki and why I stayed out now or later?

 

Inuyasha noticed her tight expression and shifted to soothing her. “Ah, shit. Sorry... dammit!”

 

“Staying there would definitely have been a bad idea,” Kouga broke in. At the dog-eared man's sharp look, the other youkai made a face. “Juromaru and Kageromaru turned up in that crummy little flat she lives in. Surprised you let her stay there, really.”

 

“They did WHAT?” Inuyasha snarled. Kagome started as his eyes started bleeding red around the edges, and faint purple stripes writhed into existence along his cheekbones. His claws pricked her hand which he still held. That's no costume change!

 

“Cool it, Dog Boy,” Shippo advised, noticing Kagome's shocked face. “Don't freak on your lovely guest here.”

 

Inuyasha made a guttural noise in the back of his throat, before he closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. When he opened his eyes again, they were back to his usual amber, albeit tinged red around the iris. He nodded at the wolf prince to continue.

 

I've seen this before... when Hojo asked me out. Inuyasha was angry... jealous I think. Is it when he's emotional? Those definitely aren't contact lenses!

 

“They came when we were there. It's why I brought her back here after we couldn't get hold of you,” Kouga added with a shrug. “I didn't think you'd mind, considering.”

 

Kagome frowned. “Wait, Juromaru and Kageromaru... the hulking man and the creepy scorpion-like creature? You know them?”

 

“'Fraid so, Beautiful,” Kouga answered, ignoring the irritated growl from Inuyasha at the pet name. “Two of Naraku's favourite goons. You don't want to know what they eat.”

 

“Question is, was it random or were they after Kagome specifically?” Shippo asked pensively.

 

In response, Inuyasha growled reflexively, pulling Kagome hard against him. This time, her back was against his chest and he buried his face in her neck. The contact sent shivers down her body all the way to her toes. The mortified girl flushed yet again and stared at the floor as both Shippo and Kouga eyed her with amused tolerance. Ack! Not that I don't like it, in fact I like it a lot, but I wish he'd stop doing that in company. I'm never going to be able to face either of these two again, and it interferes with my ability to think! Kagome pulled herself out of the tight embrace despite the displeased rumble it earned her, and sat on the arm of one of the sofas instead.

 

It's got to be random, but then... why was Kanna at my university? There's too much going on for me to just dismiss it, despite the fact that even the idea of Naraku terrifies me. “Why would he be after me, if he was?” Kagome asked tentatively.

 

Shippo gave her a humourless smile. “Apart from the obvious?” At Kagome's look of confusion, he shrugged. “You know, the fact you look...” His voice was drowned out by Inuyasha's loud snarl. The hanyou was baring his fangs at the red-haired teen, his eyes again streaked with red. After a moment of surprise, Shippo snarled back, his tails puffing out behind him in a fan. Inuyasha's growls dropped in pitch, and Kagome shivered. That sounds vicious! On the other side of the room, Kouga went very still and shook his head at her when Kagome opened her mouth, indicating she should stay silent.

 

Finally, the kitsune looked away, throwing his arms up in the air in a gesture of furious submission. “OK, OK, fine. Don't tell her. It's your funeral, you fucking idiot.”

 

“Who do I look like?” Kagome's determined voice cut clearly through the atmosphere. That was an entire conversation that excluded me, and I have a horrible feeling that I know what it was about, namely that Inuyasha isn't telling me things that matter here. In fact, he's dodged that question before.

 

“It's not my place to say, Kagome.” Shippo muttered, still glaring daggers at Inuyasha.

 

I was right. “Inuyasha? Who do I look like?” the girl asked again firmly.

 

“A woman Naraku was obsessed with,” Inuyasha answered after some hesitation. Kagome shuddered, seeing Kanna's comment about liking her face in a whole new light. Something was pricking at Kagome's memory about Naraku's obsession from the original story but she was too involved with the current situation to focus on it.

 

Kouga smacked his forehead with one hand. “Of course! That's why you looked familiar, Beautiful. So he's after you `cause you look like her?”

 

Shippo rolled his eyes at the wolf prince. “Why would he go after you now, though? You said you saw Kanna a couple of weeks ago, and there's not been anything since then to trigger the break-in. Plus, from what Kouga said about the state of your flat, it looks like they were doing a search.” He scratched his chin. “We're missing something.”

 

“She said she wouldn't tell Naraku about me straight away,” Kagome said in a small voice, avoiding Inuyasha's incredulous expression. That's right. I didn't tell him about that part when I described meeting Kanna. I guess I can't be angry with him for not telling me everything. “Maybe she finally told him?”

 

“That may be.” Inuyasha's voice was flat. “But even so, this is the first activity from Naraku in weeks so it has to be of some significance.”

 

“Look, Kagome, has anything unusual happened in the last couple of days?” the red head asked. “See anyone weird? Anything odd happen?”

 

Kagome's pulse sped up at the memory of Kagewaki's hands crawling over her skin. She jumped as three sets of eyes honed in on her. “You're scared,” Inuyasha stated. It wasn't a question. “What have you just thought of?”

 

“I don't know if it's relevant, but... one of the tutors was a little... inappropriate yesterday,” the girl admitted.

 

Shippo frowned. “This isn't a nice question, but what exactly happened at college? `Cause I know that Tokyo U doesn't generally have `inappropriate tutors'. Boring ones, but not inappropriate.”

 

Kagome shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. “One of the visiting professors has always been a bit creepy around me, so I generally avoid him. He cornered me yesterday.” At Shippo's expectant expression, she elaborated, “He called me `priestess', and tried to take the necklace I was wearing.”

 

Shippo's eyes sharpened. “Necklace?”

 

“Er, yes. It's a new one my grandfather sent me as a present.”

 

“Can you show us?”

 

With a feeling of dread, Kagome pulled the necklace from the zippered pocket on her skirt and held it out at arm's length. Glinting softly in the electric lights, it seemed to swirl inside with darker colours.

 

“And there we have it.” Shippo's voice was quiet as his eyes travelled from the jewel to the girl and back. “Talk about déjà vu.”

 

“Well, that explains the power surge that we've all been feeling,” Kouga muttered.

 

“Fuck,” Inuyasha hissed. The canine vigilante had gone bone white, holding up a hand as if to ward off the jewel as he staggered backwards against the wall.

 

Kagome glanced nervously around the dumbfounded group. “It's just a pearl on a chain... isn't it?”

 

“It's the Shikon no Tama,” Inuyasha ground out.

 

“As in the jewel from the story?”

 

“Where did you get it? When did you get it? I'd have felt that bloody thing if you'd had it in the flat,” Inuyasha snarled, ignoring her question.

 

“A couple of days ago, but it was in the Hongo campus post room for a week…”

 

“…which is next to the Administration offices, and the safe, right?” Shippo guessed. At her confirming nod, he added, “So now we know why he hit the University.”

 

Inuyasha focused on Shippo's words with a frightening intensity, before fixing on Kagome. “You said your grandfather sent it, right?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“So it's likely your family has been in possession of it for a while,” the man continued.

 

“Well, yes…” Kagome answered.

 

“And your shrine was broken into and searched four times by Naraku's freaks before your family left three years back?”

 

“Yes,” Kagome answered, a pit forming in the hollow of her stomach.

 

Directing his comments to the other two vigilantes, Inuyasha said pointedly, “Her family leave the city for Okinawa, none of his minions can find where the necklace has gone, and then Naraku turns up in person. We never could work out why he picked Tokyo.”

 

There was a stunned silence. Shippo eventually broke it. “Damn, they've been after the jewel the whole time.”

 

“But it's just a story!” the girl exclaimed. At least I always thought it was, but then... I thought mythical creatures were stories too, and yet I can't believe they are all really human anymore either...

 

“It's no story,” Shippo stated grimly. “One more question. What's your professor called? He looks like our best lead into this.”

 

“Kagewaki. Professor Hitomi Kagewaki.”

 

The three exchanged horrified looks. Finally Kouga muttered “So that's where the bastard went. We need to tell Sesshomaru what we've discovered.”

 

“What do you mean?” the girl asked nervously.

 

“Kagewaki. It's a favourite alias for Naraku himself,” Inuyasha replied tightly.

 

Kagewaki is Naraku? Why? What? And abruptly, a wave of emotion flattened Kagome. It had been a long, tiring few days, from the pressure of the university award to Kagewaki, and there were too many uncomfortable thoughts swirling through her head. The girl sagged, weariness etched into her face. Without thinking, she fastened the chain back around her neck. “So what now?” she asked quietly.

 

“You'll need to stay here, at least for tonight,” Inuyasha stated firmly.

 

“I need to sort out my flat, and what if the owners of this place come back?” Kagome protested.

 

“They won't mind, believe me,” Kouga stated dryly, and Shippo coughed behind his hand to disguise a laugh.

 

“Kouga, Shippo… out. We'll talk tomorrow,” Inuyasha ordered.

 

The kitsune pushed himself upright. “We'll update His Lordship and regroup tomorrow.” He paused and nodded to the girl who had wobbled upright. “G'night Kagome. Been nice meeting you.”

 

Kouga gave a dramatic sigh as he stood up to follow. “You're making a mistake staying with the Mutt here, Beautiful. Wouldn't you rather come with me?”

 

Inuyasha snarled viciously. “Touch her and die, Wolfshit.”

 

Kouga laughed and waved, heading out after the already retreating Shippo. The room was suddenly a lot quieter. Her vigilante stalked to the huge sofa and dropped down, resting his head in his hands. “What a fucking mess.”

 

The girl gaped at him in disbelief. “Forgive me, but I don't understand. My flat's been decimated, everyone's acting oddly, my life's taken an abrupt left turn, and you're upset?”

 

Inuyasha took a deep breath as he registered Kagome's drawn face. He held out his hand, and after a few seconds of contemplation, the young woman took it. Wrapping his fingers around hers, he tugged her onto the seat of the sofa as well.

 

“Look, I don't often apologise, but I'm sorry, Kagome.” Inuyasha ran a clawed hand through his hair, his cheeks still faintly shadowed by striping. “I know it's been a shit couple of days for you. It's just… that thing is cursed.” He gestured to the jewel around her neck. “It fucked up someone I cared about, and I thought it was gone, but now it's back and I'm convinced it's going to screw everything over again.”

 

The young woman softened at his obvious anxiety. Squeezing his hand, she said quietly, “Can you maybe explain things a bit more to me?”

 

“Like what?”

 

“Like how a necklace my grandfather gave me is a mythical artefact that isn't supposed to exist.” Running her finger over his sharp claws, Kagome took a breath. Here goes... “Like how you can jump buildings in a single bound, and why your eyes change colour to blue and red when you're wound up or threatened. How you heal so quickly. Why Kouga's tail wags. Why all of you communicate in growls and know things by smell. Your ears.” She gave him a bleak smile. “I could go on.”

 

Inuyasha went very still, his expression chillingly neutral. “What do you think?”

 

“I think... I think that despite everything I've been taught you really are all youkai, like your namesakes from the story of the original Shikon Jewel,” she ventured cautiously.

 

“And?” The word was forced out.

 

“Is it true?”

 

There was a long, defensive pause. The room was silent and even the air seemed to be holding its breath. Finally, Inuyasha seemed to deflate. “Yeah, wench. It is. Although I'm really only a hanyou - not a full youkai.”

 

“Oh,” Kagome's eyes were wide as she searched his face for any sign of mockery or laughter and found none. Instead the man's jaw was locked as he waited for her reaction, his ears flat against his head and his hands balled into fists.

 

He isn't human. None of them are. He really isn't human. I should be horrified, but... I've known for a long time that I wasn't dealing with anyone `normal'. And whilst he held back the truth, I can see why. After all, confessing to being a youkai has to be a death sentence in many places, if people don't assume you're insane. She was vaguely aware of the hanyou watching intently as the emotions chased one another across her face. He's still Inuyasha. It hasn't changed who he is. It hasn't changed the person who took me to the Tokyo Tower and promised himself to me. The person who makes me smile and makes me feel special... I guess I'll just have to take it as it comes and see what happens.

 

“What exactly does it mean that you're hanyou?” Kagome asked quietly. “I know that you seem human apart from your abilities, but... what else do I need to know?”

 

The vigilante studied her thoughtful expression in disbelief. “That's it? I was expecting curses and demands to never come near you again, and you're asking for a youkai social and physiology lesson?”

 

“I'm not going to pretend that it isn't a shock to have it confirmed, but... you're still you.” A small smile touched the corners of her mouth. “I accepted that you were different when we first became friends. I'm not going to take that back now. And I can understand why you didn't tell me. It's not exactly an easy thing to bring up,” the girl replied slowly.

 

Inuyasha exhaled in a whoosh of relief, and an instant later Kagome found herself securely on his lap. The tender expression on his face made the girl forget all of her other questions, as well as the need for oxygen for a few seconds. He brushed a strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. “We can talk about it, but not tonight. I just want to be with you. OK?”

 

“Do you have any other deep dark secrets I should know about, apart from being a mythical creature of legend?”

 

Inuyasha then shook his head. “None that should bother you.”

 

“Then I won't ask any more questions now, as long as you tell me one thing.”

 

“What it is?” he asked guardedly.

 

“What's your real name?”

 

The hanyou snorted in amusement. “It really is Inuyasha.”

 

“Really really? You're really called `dog demon'?”

 

“Yep.”

 

Kagome giggled, opening the floodgates as the stress of the last week overwhelmed her and the laughter slid inexorably into sob; Inuyasha moved immediately to kiss her. The girl responded immediately to his warm mouth, opening soft lips in a submission that made the man shudder. His hands slid up her back, pressing her more firmly against him. Glorying in the contact, Kagome lost track of her own movements. Her tongue twined with his before exploring his mouth. A sudden, sharp pain caused her to pull back, blood in her mouth. Ouch! His fangs are longer than usual!

 

The hanyou watched her with dark, red tinted eyes, the sheer want in his expression making her waver between intense lust and a fearful need to run. His claws tightened around her waist, removing any chance of escape. Leaning forward, Inuyasha ran his tongue slowly over her lips, licking the small smear of red, his breath heated against her skin.

 

Inuyasha's eyes cleared slightly, and with a mild curse he lowered his head to rest against her shoulder. “We can't... I can't do anything tonight. There's too much going on and it's sending my instincts into overdrive,” he muttered regretfully.

 

“What... what do you mean?”

 

Inuyasha grimaced. “I just... Naraku being near you, the jewel: everything feels out of control and it's making me crazy. I feel like I want to kill someone, or drag you off to bed to stake a claim. And I can't guarantee I'd be as… gentle as I should be. Or that I'd stop when we usually do,” he paused to let the words sink in. “I want you, Kagome, gods, do I want you right now, but it's not fair on you. You should go to bed in the room and I'll sleep out here.”

 

Kagome flushed as her mind conjured up vivid images in reaction to his words. Quietly she assessed the vigilante who had come to mean so much to her in the last few months. Screwing up her courage, she countered with, “What if I said I didn't mind?”

 

His closed his eyes briefly before shaking his head. “I'd say you were crazy, wench.”

 

“I'm locked in a room in a place I don't know with a mythical youkai who fights crime and I don't really mind. I'm probably way beyond saving.” The young woman gave him a rueful shrug.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yes.” However, there was a slight hesitation in that single word.

 

Inuyasha stood up and set her on her feet, his hands still on her waist. Kagome could feel the heat of his body even through her clothes. The vigilante tilted her chin with one finger to look her in the eye. “Last chance to back out. I mean it.”

 

Mutely, she shook her head. He gave a chuckle somewhere between amusement and exasperation, before leading her across the room and into the huge bedroom. As they stood hand in hand just inside the doorway, inspecting the enormous bed draped with deep red silk sheets, he asked, “So, Kagome, whaddya think? Bed's a bit bigger than yours...”

 

She blushed heavily. “Are you sure we're not going to get in trouble from the owners?”

 

“Guarantee it.”

 

Something in his voice was too assured. “Inuyasha... are you the owner?”

 

“No.” The hanyou paused, before adding, “My brother is.”

 

She took a deep breath and nervously smiled, “Okay.”

 

As if that released the last restraint Inuyasha had been clinging to, he kicked the door shut and pulled her body against his. Wild gold and red eyes glittered down. Kissing her hard, wrapping her hair around his fingers to keep her in place, he aggressively attacked her mouth. Caught fast in his grip, the young woman shivered at the long lines of his body and the barely-leashed power subtly implied.

 

His hands slid down her back to again fasten around her waist; Kagome found herself manoeuvred backwards across the room. Squeaking as the backs of her knees hit something solid, the young woman felt Inuyasha smile against her mouth, his fangs touching her lips briefly, before he let go. The girl fell onto the bed, reflexively burying her fingers in the slippery silk sheets as she peeked under her lashes at her vigilante.

 

He stood at the edge of the bed, his expression predatory, and she felt a thrill of adrenaline at the sight, inspiring her to scoot away to the centre of the huge bed. Inuyasha slowly loosened the ties of his jacket, dropping it on the floor. His shirt went next. Bare-chested, he prowled on his hands and knees towards her. His hair hung over his face, obscuring his expression and giving him a surprisingly menacing air.

 

Kagome's heart raced. “Inuyasha…?”

 

He pounced. There was not other word for it. He moved lightning fast, pinning her flat against the mattress, a hand on each of her wrists, his legs hooked over hers, but her complaint dried up at his intense expression. He let go with one hand to run his claws through her hair, spreading it out around her head in a dark halo.

 

“You have no idea how often I've imagined you here like this,” he practically purred.

 

“L-like what?”

 

“Here. In this place. Mine.”

 

Inuyasha took advantage of her surprise to kiss her, running his hands down her body. His questing fingers hit fabric, slicing through the impediments with his claws instead of removing them like a gentleman. Kagome retaliated by sliding her hands against his bare chest, tracing familiar hard muscles and smooth skin. Making an appreciative noise, he moved his thigh between her legs and pressed deliberately against her bundle of nerves. Inuyasha kissed and licked his way down her neck to her collarbone, and further yet to tease a nipple through her bra. She arched into him as he rolled it into a peak, tangling her fingers in his hair to hold him. Slicing through the offending lace and yanking it out of the way, he fastened his mouth over the naked peak, his hand palming and stroking her other breast into an equally hardened state. Kagome twisted under him, familiar with the sensations if not the wildness of his mood. Following the line of her skin, he kissed down her stomach, his hands resting on her hip bones, skirting over the edges of the soft curls at the apex of her thighs. This was new and a world away from the playful sessions in her bed sit.

 

“Inuyasha…?”

 

“Trust me.”

 

“I…” the young woman flushed and looked up. Oh my… The forgotten mirrors reflected an unexpected, highly erotic image. Kagome stared wide-eyed at herself, naked apart from the jewel around her neck and Inuyasha between her legs, his silver hair cascading down his bare back and onto the sheets. Whimpering softly, Kagome watched her reflection slide long fingers into her partner's hair, stroking his ears, before the reflected Inuyasha lowered his head.

 

Kagome was yanked back to the present by his moist tongue caressing her most intimate parts. She gasped, tightening her grip on his hair, her hips undulating. He slid his hands up her thighs to hold her steady, licking and lightly nibbling on her bundle of nerves. Inuyasha made a noise that sounded like approval, but to Kagome everything was muffled apart from the sensations he was causing.

 

The young woman looked up again at the image of herself. Her skin flushed and her legs wantonly spread as Inuyasha's head moved slowly and sensuously between them until a knot of tension wound deep in her stomach. Carefully tucking his claws into his fist, Inuyasha began sliding one knuckle against her slick velvet flesh in time with his tongue. The combination had Kagome begging brokenly, before she bucked and shuddered in release.

 

Too dazed to move, she did notice that his half-smile held no small arrogance as he pulled off his trousers and knelt naked next to her on the bed. Running a hand down her body from her neck to her thighs, he smirked as she shivered from the sensation overload. He positioned himself between her legs, his tip nudging at her entrance. Kissing her hungrily, Inuyasha made Kagome blush when she tasted herself in his mouth, but it didn't stop her from wrapping her long slim legs up around his waist, the movement allowing him to slide deeply inside her.

 

They both went still for a moment as she winced, her body tight around his. Inuyasha paused until she relaxed slightly, before starting to slide slowly in and out in an incredibly arousing rhythm. Kagome's fingers flexed against his skin as she arched into him; to stop from moving too fast the man bit his lip hard, his claws digging into the bedding on either side of her head. Reaching up, she kissed him, tasting blood. Inuyasha's movements became urgent, more powerful, and she gasped, doing her best to match him stroke for stroke. His body slammed into her, jerking with release until he collapsed on top of her, panting hard for breath.

 

They lay entwined for a few minutes, his face pressed against her neck as Kagome's heartbeat returned to something vaguely normal. After a while, Inuyasha rolled over to lay on his back, pulling the girl with him so she lay sprawled across his body, her head on his shoulder. Kissing her forehead, he possessively wrapped his arms around her.

 

“'Yasha?” Kagome mumbled on the edge of sleep.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Is Nar'ku really after me?”

 

“I'll protect you. Sleep now.”

 

 

¥ Ф ¥ Ф ¥

 

 

It was still dark when Kagome woke up. Disorientated at being in a strange bed, the girl leant on one elbow and looked around. The window coverings weren't completely closed, and in the silver moonlight she drank in the sight of the broad lines of Inuyasha's shoulders as he lay sleeping beside her, the curve of his back, his hair a pale curtain trailing off the edge of the mattress. Memories of their earlier activities returned in glorious Technicolor. He's mine. Every inch of him. Kagome couldn't help her brilliant grin.

 

Her bladder took that moment to remind the young woman of why she'd woken up, and with a sigh she swung her legs off the bed. Aching in unmentionable places, she fought back a blush, but that didn't remove the smile on her face. As she stood upright, a very damp reminder of their intimate activities tickled the top of her thighs and made her panic. Uh oh… this would be that one minute grace period Eri mentioned!

 

Kagome hastily grabbed Inuyasha's long white undershirt and scampered through to the living room area. Faced with the two doors, she went for the left-hand one, but instead of the opulent bathroom she expected, she could just make out a landing covered with an intricately woven carpet and adorned by a wooden railing that appeared to be carved into a pattern of racing dragons. Of course. Shippo and Kouga left it open when they left. Kagome bit her lip, momentarily sidetracked, but Nature and gravity quickly reminded her to find the bathroom now so she dove for the other door.

 

Several minutes later, relieved and refreshed, the open door beckoned. There's no harm in having just a quick peek, surely? Decision made, Kagome padded forward onto the soft hall carpet, and the dim moonlight gleamed through a number of skylights. There was a feeling of openness, and the girl realised that beyond the balustrade there was a huge empty space. This corridor must loop around a large central hall. This isn't a house, it's a mansion.The girl tried to quell the uncomfortable suspicions in her head. Why hasn't someone noticed that there are genuine youkai living here? Where is this place?

 

At the end of the corridor was a stained glass window that threw dull patterns over the floor below. Something about the rearing white animal holding pride of place in the centre of the design was familiar, and Kagome caught her breath as recognition struck. I know that image! It looks just like my rug! Creeping towards it for a closer look, her attention was caught by several large paintings hung on the walls between impressively carved doors. Giant demonic animals dominated by dogs, landscapes, portraits; she could just about make out each one in the dim moonlight. Glancing at the last picture before reaching the window, she wheeled sharply around and let out a strangled gasp.

 

It's... me...?

 

Kagome's mouth fell open as she studied the picture more closely. No, not quite me. But nearly...! The hair was straighter, the expression more knowing and reserved. In the painting, her twin wore medieval priestess garb, carried a bow in her hand and had a quiver across her back. But the face was eerily similar, as was the shape of her figure. Even the length of their long fingers was the same, and Kagome just knew that they had calluses in the same places. Around the neck of the priestess in the painting was her pendant, identical down to the swirling patterns in the pink depths. Kagome stumbled back, utterly unnerved, Shippo's comment on déjà vu gaining new overtones. No wonder Naraku called me priestess...

 

“I gave orders that you were not to leave Inuyasha's rooms.” The deep voice was soft and distinctly menacing in the darkness. “I do not like being disobeyed.”

 

Kagome spun around, coming face to chest with figured white silk. Her eyes travelled up the tall, slender figure to an inhumanly lovely face with magenta cheek stripes, slanted yellow eyes and a blue crescent moon on his forehead framed by a long white hair. Despite the lack of expression in his eyes, the girl nearly buckled under the weight of the unspoken disapproval plus some other innate power that prickled all her senses. Fighting back an urge to kneel at his feet, Kagome edged backwards and respectfully bowed her head. “Sesshomaru… sir,” she added, as addressing the man by his name alone felt deeply impolite.

 

The lordly being shallowly inclined his head in return. As his nostrils flared and the corners of his mouth turned down slightly, Kagome had a moment of pure mortification. If they are all youkai, he can probably smell exactly what I've been doing with his brother. Flushing, she inspected the carpeting. The uncomfortable silence was broken by his small intake of breath. Peeking upwards, the girl noticed his eyes were fixed on her chest. The girl defensively raised her hand and realized that the jewel was significantly warmer than it should be from simply her skin temperature. Glancing down in surprise, she distractedly noted that her hand was glowing as well.

 

The man - no, youkai - appeared even more disapproving, even though his expression remained impassive. “So, it is true. You bring danger to those that belong to me, Miss Higurashi,” he rumbled. “I do not care for things of uncontrolled power in my household.”

 

“I, er, apologise, sir.”

 

He gave her a long, considering look. “You will return to Inuyasha immediately.”

 

“Who is the woman in that painting?” The question slipped out before the girl could bite her tongue.

 

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. “I seem to have evaluated your intelligence more highly than you deserve.”

 

Of all the nerve...! Despite his intimidating presence, Kagome bristled. “I could simply assume this is Kikyo and jump to conclusions from there, but I would like a confirmation, please.” She could have sworn he almost smirked for a second, and the flash of similarity to Inuyasha made her heart jump before the impassive mask dropped back in place.

 

“You are correct, Miss Higurashi. That is Lady Kikyo, the original keeper of the Shikon Jewel.”

 

Nodding, she went back to studying the painting. I never expected the original Kikyo to be my mirror image. Something unpleasant twisted in her stomach as her first encounters with Inuyasha gained a different subtext. So that's why he called me Kikyo the night that I found him, and why he couldn't stop staring at me when he regained consciousness. Something clicked in her memory.

 

“I dreamt of her…” Kagome breathed. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as she continued, “I saw her pin Inuyasha to the Goshinboku with an arrow through the heart. He'd offered to become human for her.”

 

“Indeed.” Sesshomaru appeared consider that one, before giving an infinitesimal nod. “My brother was in love with her, after all.”

 

That's what I had forgotten from the legend: Inuyasha and Kikyo were in love with each other. Wait, `my brother'? Realisation made her go cold. I'm such an idiot. His last relationship was `destroyed by Naraku'. Kagome began shivering. The Pack aren't youkai using historical figures for a cover story, they are the historical figures.

 

The youkai lifted an aristocratic eyebrow. “It is time you returned.”

 

Numbly bobbing her head, Kagome trailed back to the open door leading to Inuyasha's suite, Sesshomaru a silent shadow at her back. As she entered the lounge, Kagome turned and bowed again to the youkai. He inclined his head politely, and reached past her to pull the door closed with a soft `click'. The girl dully realised he was taking no chances and had locked her in. Wandering over to the enormous sofa, she collapsed on it in an untidy heap, her aching head in her hands.

 

“No, I don't know you!” he'd snarled when they'd argued over Hojo.

“Kikyo was Inuyasha's ex-girlfriend. She was killed by Naraku.”

 

Before this evening, she'd thought she was OK with never seeing his face without his contacts or ears, and couldn't imagine him without them now. She was OK with him being a penniless vigilante doing what his conscience decided because she cared about him desperately... because she was the same, a penniless student who tried to follow her conscience which impelled her to help people. Until this evening, she had felt that underneath they were alike. She'd even had a few daydreams in the library about her supporting them both as she worked as a doctor.

 

Kagome bit back a sob, acknowledging the folly of her fantasies. None of that was true. We're not the same at all. He's not going to settle into some flat with me somewhere, aging into obscurity with a few children and a pet. He's a hanyou, a mythical being. Even if he wanted to, he obviously can't: from what Sesshomaru said he must be at least five hundred years old and he still looks like he's in his mid-twenties. The girl slumped further, brutally honest with herself. I knew he was a hanyou when we... we slept together. I just didn't think about what it could mean...

 

The one thing he did promise me was that there would never be anyone but me. But that wasn't wholly true. I'm identical to his ex-lover; he even called me her name. Who does he see when he looks at me? Does he really see me, Kagome Higurashi? Or does he see Kikyo in a different body? I saw through her eyes in my dreams even before this... from the point I got this pendant. What if I'm her reincarnation? What if that's why I lo... feel so strongly about Inuyasha? How real is this? How real are we? Kagome shook her head, trying to derail the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

 

And then there's this place... it reeks of money. He's been playing house with me when my bedsit could fit into his personal bathroom. But then, I never asked, so technically he never lied, but it's still an omission. He knows so much about me and I know so little.

 

I feel so... lost.

 

Everything I thought I knew about Inuyasha and our relationship has been proven wrong this evening.

 

Kagome wrapped one hand around the pendant, still glowing hot from her earlier encounter. And let's not forget that I'm `the keeper' of a powerful artefact and being chased by an insane, inhuman hanyou desperate for power.

 

Her sense of trust slipped through her fingers like sand, a shaken and thoroughly miserable Kagome headed into the bathroom for a shower.

 

 

Ұ Ф Ұ Ф Ұ

 

 

“Hey sleepy head. How come you're out here?” A warm hand arrived on her cheek, and Kagome opened her eyes to see Inuyasha kneeling by the sofa. His expression was one she'd never seen before; open and unguarded with a soft smile. Automatically she smiled back, at least until her memory chose that point to kick back in. Feeling suddenly queasy, she turned her face away and sat up.

 

“Could you take me home please?” Her voice was quiet, withdrawn.

 

He pulled away, his eyebrows snapping together in a frown. “Why?”

 

Kagome hesitated, and then replied, “I need a little time to sort a few things out in my head.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I'll tell you if you answer me something.”

 

“Anything.”

 

Kagome looked him directly in the eye. “Last night… were you thinking of me or Kikyo?”

 

“What?” he spluttered, clearly shocked. “Where the fuck did that come from?”

 

Kagome's gaze flicked towards the pair of identical panels. “I took the wrong door last night to the bathroom and ended up in the corridor with all the paintings. I saw the one of Kikyo.” When Inuyasha flinched and looked away, apparently proving her suspicions, she whispered, “That's what I thought.”

 

“No! Fuck that, Kagome! Don't put words in my mouth.”

 

Despite her best intentions, Kagome let her disillusionment sharpen her tone. “Really? Then why did you come back that first time to my flat? I bet it wasn't because of my medical skills.”

 

Inuyasha raked his claws through his hair in a now familiar gesture. “I'll admit I did come back the first couple of times out of curiosity, but pretty quickly you made it clear you were your own person, and I fell...”

 

“When were you going to tell me?”

 

Inuyasha closed his eyes, breathing hard. “Is there ever a good time to mention something like that?”

 

“It definitely would have had a bearing on whether I agreed to sleep with you!” When he flushed, guilt written clearly across his face, Kagome sighed and closed her eyes. “Inuyasha... please. I care about you very much, but... I really need some space.”

 

“No! Not with Naraku after you!” The stark horror in Inuyasha's voice gave her pause, but she was determined.

 

“Please,” she said firmly. “I have your phone number. I'll even accept a Pack escort - from a distance. I swear I'll be careful. I just need some time to work this all out in my head.”

 

“That necklace makes you an even bigger target, Kagome! I'd be signing your death warrant if I let you leave!” Inuyasha protested vehemently before he softly pleaded, “Please... I can't go through that again.”

 

Kagome reached up, fumbling at the back of her neck until the chain fell open. The pendant bounced off her lap and tumbled against Inuyasha's chest. Instead of catching it, he only stared at the gem rocking on the mats next to his knees with something akin to disgust. She bent down and scooped it up, offering it to him again. When he shook his head and moved away, she set it on the nearby table instead. They both watched the pink ball spin in circles before coming to a stop. The irony of her handing over the Jewel wasn't lost on either of them. “Now there's only the fact that I look like Kikyo that's a problem.”

 

“I don't want the damned jewel. I want you, Kagome - safe and unharmed. Let me protect you, please.”

 

“I know, but I want to go home,” she insisted.

 

Eventually he gave a jerky nod and stood up. “Fine.”

 

“I'm sorry.”

 

He paused as her whispered words reached him, but his entire body tensed before he stalked across the room, yanked open the door and disappeared down the corridor.

 

Ten minutes later, a subdued Shippo appeared with a yukata and a roll of bills to replace Yuka's ruined clothing. He shrugged at her protests, shoving both into her hands.

 

“Inuyasha insisted, now go and get changed.” At her blank look, the kitsune added dryly, “You're still only wearing his shirt.” He gave a ghost of his former grin as she squeaked and flew into the bathroom.

 

Ten minutes after that, Shippo escorted her through the huge house to a huge garage, bundling her into one of the myriad of cars and bidding her a quiet farewell. Kagome glanced dully at her human-looking chauffeur as he wordlessly handed her a blindfold, willing to bet he was anything but. Their drive back to the Ueno district happened in silence, the girl staring unseeing out of the window even after the blindfold was removed, unaware of the concerned glances from her black haired escort.

 

Her dilapidated tenement block appeared too soon. Kagome climbed out of the car, unsurprised when the driver accompanied her back up to her flat. He helped her to straighten what was left of the furniture and fittings with surprising speed; she had a distinct feeling that he was also inventorying her meagre possessions, but he excused himself before she could question him, wearing an oddly familiar smile. Still, the damage to the walls and the broken window couldn't be hidden, and her notes were still a jumbled mess, albeit in one pile.

 

After he left, her bedsit had never felt emptier or her life less secure. Kagome curled up in a ball on the edge of the narrow bed, her head on her knees.

 

Inuyasha...

 

 

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