InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ LOVE POISON ❯ What It Means ( Chapter 22 )

DISCLAIMER: Don't sue, don't own. Same old, same old. Inuyasha-tachi belong to the wealthy and talented Rumiko Takahashi. I'm poor, and I only borrow her characters for hentai purposes.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! And since it's Christmas, this is one long chapter, and I hope you get into the Christmas spirit and REVIEW! Come on guys, it's Christmas! HAVE A HEART! *drumroll* Lime time! ^_^ And guess who's making his grand, random entrance? Let's give the bishie with the fastest legs in the Feudal Era a warm welcome with lots and lots of reviews, what do you say? Huh? Huh? Huh?

 

My endless gratitude and an infinite supply of Chinese food, lasagna and vanilla ice cream to the awesome, fabulous, gorgeous, talented, amazing, wonderful, adorable and beyond cool TRUSUPRISE, best beta, best KS and best friend EVAR! I could never have done this without you, girl! I love you so much! *huggles kawaii Trusuprise* She so totally rocks! I'm not worthy! *bows repeatedly* And of course, cuddles to Carlitos and kisses to Kona-baby and an endless supply of dog treats to the most beautiful pups in the world. I love my niece and nephew! Thanks to Lizashu for bearing with me every weekend and being her sweet self.

 

Sorry about the delay! On to the chap! Hope I don't dissapoint! And thank you all for your encouraging wonderful reviews! Keep `em coming! ^_^

 

 

CHAPTER 22: WHAT IT MEANS

 

 

When Inuyasha and Kagome returned to the village, it was almost noon. Kagome was wearing a clean uniform and her long, raven tresses were wet from her recent bath in the lake.

 

Inuyasha had kept a silent watch over her as she bathed, his face stern and a pronounced frown marring his handsome features.

Ironically, he'd been sitting with his hands in front of him on the grassy ground of the very same cliff where he had first lay eyes on her naked form two years ago, and had been promptly `sat' for it.

 

Kagome had not complained, a modest blush dusting her cheeks, as she washed herself throughly, in spite of the icy cold water.

After all, it wasn't as if he hadn't seen her nude before…and Kagome wasn't uncomfortable being seen naked by Inuyasha, especially after what they had shared…but it was still an awkward situation, and the silence was pregnant in the morning air, as the inu-hanyou's ears twitched at the smallest noise, his sensitive nose sniffing the air, trying to capture any suspicious scent.

 

Kagome could feel his intense gaze burning her all the while. However, his eyes held a blank, yet strangely focused expression Kagome had never seen reflected in Inuyasha's golden depths before.

 

Kagome realized he wasn't really looking at her, but looking out for her with the awareness and duty of a sentinel. A possessive, slightly jumpy, not to mention paranoid sentinel, at that.

 

Inuyasha hadn't moved a muscle, he had not so much as blinked, as his eyes scrutinized his intended mate, and the only time he'd moved minimally had been when he'd heard a twig snap behind him. His head had sharply turned in the direction of the offending noise, his right hand automatically grasped Tetsusaiga's hilt, and it had remained there until Kagome had changed into her clean clothes and they had been ready to leave.

 

Inuyasha hadn't been kidding in the least when he'd announced he wouldn't take his eyes off her for a second. When he'd say he'd always protect her, this had definitely not been what Kagome had imagined.

 

Without a single word of explanation from either the miko or the inu-hanyou as to why Kagome had suddenly decided taking a long swim in an ice cold lake after having breakfast was a fabulous idea, when Inuyasha had been so eager and keen to track Naraku down, the Inu-tachi finally forged onward, tracking the invisible path that Naraku had left that they couldn't see, yet Inuyasha promised was there.

 

“North.” The inu-hanyou had said. “Head North.”

 

And so, the rag-tag group marched onwards, no one making eye contact with the others, each faithful friend maintaining their silence and walking as if on eggshells. Inuyasha bounded ahead, leaping from tree to tree in a frustrated blur, Kagome clinging to his back, strangely subdued.

 

Earlier that day, the girl from the future hadn't even put up a fight when Inuyasha had taken her old uniform, and burned it in a furious haste, much to their friends' confusion.

 

Although Sango and Miroku were concerned that the dark hanyou had come in contact with Kagome and she and Inuyasha had remained silent about the event, they knew better than to press their friends for information until they were ready to divulge it themselves.

 

For now, each of the travellers clung to their mission, to head North, and to ignore the white elephant in their presence. For without a doubt, any interruption would only enrage their inu-hanyou leader.

 

After travelling in awkward silence for over an hour, Kagome asked Inuyasha smally if they could stop for a moment.

 

“You have to use the lady bush again?” Inuyasha asked irritably as he quickly turned his face to speak to her.

 

Kagome sighed wearily. Like she had predicted, Inuyasha's protectiveness had extended even to her use of the bathroom. He had followed her when they'd stopped earlier for this purpose, much to Kagome's dismay. Yet, she had not complained, and no one had dared question Inuyasha about this strange, recently acquired custom, although Sango had to elbow Miroku in the ribs a couple of times to prevent him from opening his mouth and saying something completely inappropriate.

 

“It's the lady's room, and no, I don't. Please stop for a minute?” Kagome pressed tiredly.

 

She wondered if she could avoid going to the bathroom altogether while being in the Feudal Era, and instantly realized she couldn't, so she decided to have a rational talk with Inuyasha on this issue. If he wouldn't listen to reason, or more likely when he wouldn't listen to reason, she'd be forced to `sit' him to regain what was left of her dignity, as much as she would hate to do so.

 

After all, he was just worried about another possible attack…and at least he hadn't actually watched her, but Kagome could honestly say she had never, ever, felt more embarrassed in her seventeen years of life. Not even when she had had that talk with her mom about her sex life with Inuyasha the morning after the inu-hanyou had visited her in her room…

 

Getting no answer from him, she asked again, feeling her companions' curious eyes on her. “Can we please stop, Inuyasha? It'll only take a moment, I promise.”

 

The inu-hanyou shook his head. “No time.”

 

“Please…I need to talk to you.” Kagome insisted, growing a bit more persistent, although she sounded so sad Inuyasha couldn't help but obey.

 

“Okay, talk.” He compromised.

 

“Put me down?” Kagome asked of him.

 

“I thought it was gonna be quick, you can talk while you're on my back, can't you? I can hear just fine, wench…and then we'll move on.”

 

“It's just that…I want to talk to you. Alone.” Kagome added, blushing a little.

 

“This sounds intense.” Miroku whispered to Sango.

 

“I heard that.” Inuyasha snapped, his head turning sharply towards the monk and the exterminator, who were trying to keep up with a very fast dog demon on Kirara. Shippo sat on the firecat youkai's head with a worried expression on his usually cheerful little face.

 

“I am glad, since that was certainly my intention.” Miroku said placidly.

 

“Houshi-sama…” Sango began carefully.

 

“Keh. Fine. We'll stop for a moment.” Inuyasha grumbled.

 

“Thank goodness! I'm starving!” Shippo blurted out. “It's noon already! Inuyasha, can we have lunch now?”

 

“No.” Inuyasha answered, his voice deadpan, folding his arms across his chest now that Kagome was on the ground and currently straightening her miniskirt.

 

“Kagomeee! Tell him he's a selfish baka! No fair! We can only stop for lunch when he is hungry!” Shippo wailed.

 

“I'm sure Inuyasha will agree to stop for lunch when we find a nice stream. And he'll catch you lots of fish, won't you, Inuyasha?” Kagome said, shooting Inuyasha a meaningful look.

 

“Keh.”

 

“That was a yes.” Miroku helpfully translated for his hanyou friend.

 

Kagome beamed at Inuyasha and he sighed, exasperated. “Okay! Fine! Next fucking stream we pass, we stop. But we're having Ramen.” He turned to Kagome. “Come on, let's go, wench.”

 

She followed him to a small clearing nearby. “This far enough for ya?” Inuyasha asked.

Kagome nodded and fiddled nervously with her hands. “Inuyasha…”

 

Thoughts of what had happened earlier between Naraku and herself had plagued the young miko, and the heavy, gloomy silence permeating the air since they had headed North in pursuit of the dark hanyou had only made it worse. She couldn't stop thinking about it, and with each step they took towards their fated foe, her insecurities had increased. Kagome needed to know if there was still hope…for her and Inuyasha.

 

“Make it quick, bitch.” Inuyasha snapped bluntly.

 

Kagome cleared her throat anxiously. “Are you…are you mad with me?” The uneasy girl looked up at the now puzzled inu-hanyou, her big, chocolate-hued eyes wavering and impossibly sad.

 

“Kagome…” Inuyasha was caught by surprise by her question. “I told you…I'm mad, but not with you. Shit, anyone could have made that mistake. Careless stupid wench that you are…” He had started out so well too. He cursed inwardly for speaking such harsh words to her.

 

Kagome became immediately upset, which thankfully chased away her nervousness for the time being, as she scowled at the dog demon.“Look, I might not be feeling like myself right now but I can still say the `S' word, so watch it, dog boy. And I'm being serious here.”

 

Inuyasha's brow creased; he had absolutely no clue what Kagome was getting at, but he could clearly smell her anxiety, and he was dimly aware that somehow, he was the cause of it.

 

“Okay…” He said slowly, tilting his head to one side curiously, long silvery white hair cascading over his shoulder. “I'm listening.” His small triangular dog-like ears twitched to further illustrate this statement.

 

“I…I wanted to ask you something…” Kagome began, her insecurity returning with a vengeance. She took a deep breath, but before she could speak, Inuyasha cut her off, staring at her suspiciously. “Hold it. This isn't gonna be one of those heartfelt talks, is it? Cause I'm so not in the mood for that shit…”

 

“Inuyasha…” Kagome started, gathering her courage. She had to ask him about this, now or never.

 

The inu-hanyou saw the troubled expression on Kagome's face and immediately felt ashamed. He sighed, covering it up with irritation. “Fine! You can ask anything. Except why my human blood is weakened cause I have no fucking clue, and you can't say another damn word about there being only one of me cause I'm sick of hearing the same bullshit and…”

 

This time, Kagome cut him off. “Am I still your chosen one?” She asked hurriedly, looking away from his scrutinizing gaze, irritation slowly giving way to utter confusion in his golden eyes when her question sunk in.

 

Inuyasha scowled at her for a second, then arched his eyebrows in disconcert. “Huh? What the hell are you talking about, wench?”

 

“Am I?” Kagome pressed, timidly looking into his golden depths. She wasn't going to cry if he said no, she promised herself, but now her eyes were brimming with unshed tears, and she tried desperately not to blink as she waited for Inuyasha's answer. She was not aware that she was holding her breath.

 

“You lost me there. Why wouldn't you still be my chosen?” Inuyasha asked, looking very much like a lost little boy for a moment. Doesn't she want to be?

 

Kagome grimaced. She didn't really want to answer that truthfully. Inuyasha sighed regretfully. “This is about that bastard, huh?” The young miko merely nodded her head, biting her bottom lip.

 

“Baka. Don't you understand what `chosen one' means?” Inuyasha asked of her, his voice softening ever so slightly.

 

“Actually, you never explained...” Kagome began uncertainly, staring at her feet.

 

“Keh. Means I'm stuck with you.” Inuyasha declared firmly, folding his arms across his chest, his hands hidden by his haori sleeves, as he stared at the young miko, trying to look like he couldn't care less about her reaction to this statement that was more than obvious to him and the stupid wench didn't seem to grasp.

 

“Now that was very romantic of you.” Kagome muttered with a roll of her eyes.

 

Inuyasha blushed. “Um…It means…well, it's kinda like a youkai term for…um…” He sputtered. The tables had turned, and now Kagome found herself standing before a very nervous inu-hanyou.

 

Kagome held her hands up. “Okay, you're uncomfortable. It's enough for now if you tell me I'm still your…whatever it is `chosen one' means. But…”

 

Inuyasha bowed his head. “But?” He asked in a low voice, peering at her from under his silvery white bangs.

 

“Is it like…marriage or something?” It was Kagome's turn to blush, even though Inuyasha had already provided her with an answer to that, whether he was aware of this or not, in his youkai form.

 

“Look, can we just drop it? You are and always will be my chosen one, Kagome! Isn't that good enough for you?”

 

Am I not good enough for you? He wanted to ask her this, but couldn't bear to voice this particular fear out loud.

 

The inu-hanyou looked away, not wanting to see that answer in Kagome's beautiful chocolate depths. However, Kagome smiled gratefully, her eyes positively glowing. “It's more than good enough for me. But I have another question…”

 

“Shoot.” Inuyasha bravely looked up at her.

 

“This morning, when you said…that I was your…um…your…mate…” Kagome bit her lip, blushing furiously, unable to continue.

 

Although Sango had explained all this to her, she needed to know if Inuyasha was fully aware of the implications behind this himself. Sango didn't think the inu-hanyou was. Kagome wondered if instinct was all there was behind youkai Inuyasha's words…

 

She had let it pass in Kaede's hut, when Inuyasha had been so upset about his weakened human blood and angry with himself, and he had obviously avoided the subject. But now Kagome needed to know. Or at least get something out of him.

 

Was it hope? Kagome didn't know if that was the right word. What she did know was that she desperately needed to cling to what had made the eventful morning meaningful, what had given her a reason to look forward to the future - their future - with clarity and optimism for the first time in two years.

 

True, she had been overwhelmed, but Kagome wanted to know Inuyasha's thoughts. Earlier, Inuyasha seemed to know exactly what he'd been talking about, even after he had reverted to his hanyou form.

 

Currently, though, Inuyasha was pouting and scowling at her, all trace of nervousness gone, promptly being replaced by grim frustration. After a moment of awkward silence, he spoke in a low, dark tone of voice. “I didn't say that, bitch. He did.”

 

Kagome sighed tiredly. “Inuyasha, not this again…”

 

“I said I didn't want to hear anymore of that `there's only one of you' shit!” He snapped. His brow furrowed further. Of all the things his youkai side had to say, that bastard just had to let that slip…

 

Kagome returned his frown. “Have it your way. It wasn't you. When your youkai side… that certainly is not you, because you're too darn stubborn to realize that there's only one of you…”

 

“I thought we agreed not to mention this again?” Inuyasha cut her off, golden eyes narrowing to slits.

 

Kagome cleared her throat. “As I was saying…since you seem to believe there's three of you instead of just one, three Inuyashas as far as you're concerned, right?”

 

“Keh.”

 

“I'll take that as a yes. It so happens that one of you, namely youkai Inuyasha, called me your…excuse me, silly me, he called me his intended mate. I want to know what you…what he meant.” Kagome demanded, voice dripping with saracasm.

 

“Why don't you ask him next time he shows his ugly face and tries to take advantage of you?!” Inuyasha nearly shouted at her, fists clenching at his sides.

 

“You didn't…he didn't do such a thing! Why can't you just accept that? You turned full youkai and you didn't hurt me, baka! If you insist, then what am I supposed to be? Your youkai side's mate? Does hanyou you…want me to be his mate, too? What do you want from me, Inuyasha? You said I'm your chosen one before. Now you tell me I am and always will be. Is chosen and mate the same thing? Help me out here!”

 

Inuyasha pouted again but didn't argue with her. “So? Do you want me to be…your mate? Is it…the same thing?” Kagome insisted. “What does it mean? I need to know, Inuyasha.”

 

“Yes, it's the same fucking thing! You wanna know what it means? Being mates… um… involves…mating…” Inuyasha answered bluntly, abruptly avoiding eye contact with her, and finding his feet very interesting all of a sudden.

 

“I kinda figured the last bit out by myself.” Kagome countered dryly.

 

Summoning his courage, in spite of the fact that he found that it was much, much easier to continue examining his feet, Inuyasha finally looked up at her. “It's…kinda painful - for humans. Or so I've heard…that's all I know, I swear.” The inu-hanyou sighed, his voice drifting off. “Look, Kagome…let's just…not talk about anything that happened this morning.” He said in a low voice, almost despairingly.

 

“But…” Kagome resisted the urge to stomp her foot in frustration.

 

Inuyasha's eyes flashed with intense emotion Kagome could associate with fierce determination. “No buts! I won't hear of it. But here's what I want you to understand, wench. You're mine, Kagome. Mine. You belong to me.”

 

Kagome's heart swelled as she reached out and caressed his cheek with the back of her hand, fingers moving to his full lips, her hopeful eyes overflowing with longing. “And do you belong to me too, Inuyasha?” She whispered.

 

“Keh. Stupid bitch and her stupid questions. I already said yes before.” Inuyasha grumbled, trying not to give in to Kagome's beautiful eyes; the feather light touch of her fingertips making him shudder slightly. He noted with relief that she didn't notice this.

 

“Actually, your youkai side said `yes'.” Kagome said smartly, smiling sweetly at him.

 

“Keh. Bitch thinks she knows it all…” He muttered, half grateful, half disapointed that she had stopped caressing his face. He covered up his disapointment at the lack of contact from his chosen one with a snappish retort. “Now I'm saying it, okay?! What good would it be, if you belonged to me…and I didn't belong to you?” He heard himself speak, and rolled his eyes at his own blunt statement. “And please don't go all mushy on me cause I'm not saying this shit again, got it?”

 

Kagome's smile widened, became even sweeter, as she nodded. “I didn't think you'd say it once, anyway. But…you know, sometimes…I need to hear you say…”

 

“…Mushy crap. Yeah, I know.” Inuyasha sighed in annoyance.

 

“I was going to say `something nice', but never mind.” Kagome rolled her eyes in return. Her face turned serious again. “So…Am I still your chosen?”

 

“How many times do I have to answer that damn stupid question?” Inuyasha asked of her, a vein pulsing at his temple.

 

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Answer it…again? For me?” Kagome asked in a barely audible whisper.

 

“Yes! Yes. Dammit, bitch, you…” She cut him off by pressing her soft lips to his, her hands wrapping about his neck. Inuyasha slid his tongue into her welcoming mouth slowly and gently caressed her slippery tongue, lapping and licking at it and capturing it between his lips when her mouth parted from his for a split second, only to suckle on it lovingly.

 

“Mine.” He whispered huskily against her lips. “I claimed you a long time ago, Kagome. And if you let me…if we become mates…I'll claim…everything that you are…” He kissed her again, this time pulling softly at her lips. “I claim your mouth…” He whispered. Kagome sighed blissfully, tilting her face to meet his lips. “Your tongue…” He murmured as he licked her parted lips, finding Kagome's eager tongue again and sucking on it lusciously. “You're mine, Kagome.”

He moved his head towards her neck and licked her sweet skin wetly, moving upwards and parting her hair with his nose. He then ran his tongue along her ear slowly. “All of you.”

 

“Yes…” Kagome moaned, her heart beating so fast she thought it would burst, arching her back, pressing her breasts against his chest. “All of me, all of you…one.” She said in a barely audible whisper, echoing Inuyasha's words from earlier that morning.

 

The mouth watering scent of her arousal reached Inuyasha's sensitive nose. “Dammit, Kagome!” He hissed. “Shit, bitch! I didn't even touch you! One little kiss and you're all…”

 

Kagome turned ten shades of red and pressed her legs together, quickly jumping in and cutting him off to prevent further embarrassing herself. “It's not fair! It's not my fault you have such a sharp sense of smell! And…and…it wasn't just one kiss…you said… those things and… and…you also…oh, you're such a jerk!” She screamed at him, wishing the earth would open up and swallow her.

 

Inuyasha grabbed her hand and pulled her forward, facing the other way, lest she see his flushed face. “We're going. And…and…do something about that!” He sputtered, trying very hard not to breathe her enticing fragrance in and looking away from her beautiful heart-shaped face. And praying to all the Gods that would hear him that Kagome wouldn't notice his throbbing erection, or he'll never hear the end of it…

 

“What?!” Kagome responded in shock. “'Do something about that?'” She mimicked in outrage, promptly letting go of his hand.

 

“Bitch…are you trying to fucking kill me?” Inuyasha yelled at her. “Do you have any idea what…what you…what you're doing to me?”

 

“Shut up! This is your fault!” Kagome said, burying her face in her hands.

 

“What the hell?! You were the one who kissed me!” Inuyasha snapped.

 

“And you kissed me back!” She accused him. “It was a chaste kiss, you know, but you just had to go and...and…kiss me like that…and say all that, and then you…”

 

She was cut off when Inuyasha pinned her against a tree and put a silencing finger on her lips. “You'll be the death of me, bitch…” He said, his pupils dilating. He smiled mischievously and replaced his finger with his mouth, and kissed her very slowly. She moaned rapturously into his mouth.

 

“I think…they can wait for us for a little longer.” Inuyasha murmured against her lips as he slid his right hand under her skirt and between her legs, golden eyes filled with lust.

 

Kagome gasped in surprise, her eyes widening. He smirked at her, showing a bit of fang. “I believe I should do something about it since this is all my fault, right?”

 

Kagome didn't trust herself to answer with words. She shut her eyes briefly, and wrapped her arms about Inuyasha's shoulders, as he began rubbing her tenderly up and down at an agonizingly slow pace.

 

Kagome moaned again and dug her fingernails into his shoulders, her whole body heating up as she unconsciously spread her legs to allow him better access.

 

“Why…why are you doing this? Y-You said…we shouldn't…” She panted.

“Because…” Inuyasha moved his head to whisper in her ear. “Your body is begging me to…”

“But…the…the others…” Kagome started desperately.

“They aren't here…I just…want to touch you…” He breathed hotly in her ear.

 

Kagome gasped when his thumb and forefinger found her clit through her already moist panties and pinched it gently. “You're so wet, Kagome…” He murmured passionately, and licked her ear again, taking her earlobe between his lips and sucking on the sensitive spot.

 

Kagome whimpered as she arched her back and worked her hips against his warm hand, now cupping her covered entrance as his thumb rubbed her hardened clit in slow circles.

 

“I love those little sounds that you make…” Inuyasha whispered into her ear. “I want to hear more…”

“Inu…yasha…” She moaned, further arching her back. “W-wait, I…”

“Do you want me to stop?” He asked softly, moving his face away from her ear and looking at her flushed face.

“It's…not that. I…I want to…touch you too…” She panted, looking away shyly.

 

Inuyasha was silent, his brow furrowing slightly, but he never stopped moving his hand, and she never stopped rocking her hips against him. She opened her mouth but no sound came out as she shut her eyes tightly, rubbing herself faster against his hand as he gained speed. “Please…” She moaned. “P-Please…let me…touch you too…”

 

“I don't want to hurt you, Kagome.” He said tenderly, trying to prevent his erection from touching any part of her heated body. “I want to make you happy now…I don't want you to ever say, or even think for a moment…that you're not my chosen one. And you'll be my mate when the time's right, but…you're not ready. And I…I have to get rid of that bastard…my youkai side…and if you…if you touch me…” The inu-hanyou looked at her from under his thick eyelashes, his left hand lifting her chin. “You understand that, Kagome? I…I can't let you do that now…”

 

Her strong musky scent was driving him wild, and the erotic sounds she was making didn't help either. And she had just begged of him to let her touch him…if Inuyasha had thought, before those words had left her lips, that he couldn't possibly get any harder than he already was, he had been sadly mistaken…

 

“I-I know…but…” She started.

“Sshh…” Inuyasha silenced her by pressing his mouth against hers, pushing his tongue past her sweet lips and thoroughly exploring the warm cavern of her mouth as he rapidly rubbed her clit between his fingers, alternating these ministrations with palming her covered sex and rubbing his entire hand against her warm entrance, as the young girl frantically rocked her hips against his palm.

 

He suckled on her tongue hungrily, matching the rhythm of his hand and fingers working her. “Hold still, Kagome…” He whispered against her lips, his pulse speeding up as Kagome took a staggered breath. “Inuyasha…I can't…can't take it…” She whimpered desperately.

 

Inuyasha smirked as he let his finger run down her underwear and against her crotch, his fingers pressing a little harder and invading her entrance, which widened as Kagome further spread her legs.

 

All that existed to Inuyasha now were his fingers and the area they caressed. Round and round they moved, deeper and deeper, pressing the material into the soft, tender crevasse, delighting in the dampness he'd created, sticky to his touch and making the material slide against Kagome's entrance with ease.

 

He reached up for her hardened pearl again, lightly pinching the moist bud through her panties, then pressing on it with his thumb and rubbing it with incredible velocity. Kagome cried out in a mixture of desperation and pleasure, as the feeling was heightened by a powerful, passionate kiss Inuyasha aimed at her mouth and wandered off-course and onto Kagome's cheek. He took the opportunity to lick her skin in long, wet strokes, hearing Kagome gasp his name.

 

He'd probably cum in his pants just by doing this, he thought in near despair. He found her succulent lips once more, her little mouth open and wet, her breath uneven, her chocolate-hued eyes misty with desire, her eyelids drooping, as he once again invaded her mouth with his tongue, pushing it in and out of her rapidly, as his hand and tongue mimicked the real thing.

 

The kiss he planted hard against Kagome's warm lips became rougher as he took her already sore lips with his teeth and nipped her gently. He could hear a tiny shriek coming from deep within her throat that made him shudder with adrenaline and excitement. Kagome's kiss became frantic, her tiny cries swallowed by his all too eager mouth.

 

Inuyasha could smell and sense Kagome's every single reaction to his touch and kisses, how her body responded to him, the way her aura pulsed around her, enveloping his own heated youki. And the sounds she made! Gods, her moans surrounded and embraced him as surely as her scorching aura did, equally hot and passionate. How he loved the tiny moans she let out so freely, the sound of his name uttered in fervent gasps over and over again, as her body writhed under his touch.

 

Such sweet music they made together…although the sounds he knew he was making were grunts and groans and didn't particularly seemed `musical' to him at all…yet he discovered Kagome responded to this as well…

 

There was not a single more beautiful sight in the world than Kagome's face when she came… and Inuyasha was willing to bear the sweet pain of his desire for his chosen one, if only he could see that look on her face again. His human side had seen it the previous night…and he didn't think that was…well, fair.

 

He groaned and kissed her harder, deeper, ravishing her mouth, teeth clashing against teeth, tongues locked with tongues. Kagome gasped into his mouth when his fingers moved to her clit again and pinched it none too gently, twisting it between his fingers and stroking it delicately with his claws through the moist fabric.

 

Her wet mouth opened wider to his kiss in a silent cry of ecstasy as he continued with this exquisite torture, her juices soaking her panties and dripping down her inner thighs, her scent becoming unbearably strong and beckoning to him.

 

When he slid his index finger inside her through the fabric, Kagome's knees buckled and she cried out his name.

 

“More…let me hear more…” Inuyasha panted. He pumped his finger in and out of her slowly, picking up speed, and abruptly stopped.

Kagome whimpered. “Please…Inuyasha…I can't…can't hold on…”

“Soon.” Inuyasha promised fervently.

“I need…need to…l-let me…let me…touch you…” Kagome managed, amazed that her brain hadn't stopped functioning.

 

Yet even as she spoke in a voice she didn't recognize as her own, her body with a will of its own wouldn't stop its movement, grinding against his merciless hand, eyes rolling back when his long, talented fingers moved to her clit again and rolled it between his fingers.

 

She couldn't take it anymore, the pleasure was tearing her apart, but it was not enough, not enough! He was driving her crazy…she wanted him, wanted him so badly…but she also wanted to please him, to touch his bare skin like she had done the previous night…

 

“L-let me…” She murmured again, a low moan escaping her lips when he pressed his hand harder against her entrance. She closed her eyes tightly, biting her lip to keep from crying out, his hand between her legs the only thing keeping her from falling to the ground in a boneless heap as he entered her again, this time using two fingers. She moaned loudly when his left hand uncovered her quivering, hungry sex in a swift motion, and once more his fingers were inside her, thrusting harder, this time without the barrier of her underwear.

 

“Gods, Kagome, you feel so hot…” He gasped almost deliriously, as he explored her wet depths, flexing his fingers, moving them in circles, pumping them in and out of her hard. Kagome couldn't help it, her body began to ride his fingers as if they were his manhood, her hips rising and falling, as her heated body silently begged him for more.

 

Inuyasha complied, inserting a third finger, and continued working her, harder and faster. Kagome met his fingers thrust by thrust, moaning and panting his name as she felt each of his digits inside of her wetness.

 

“Please…” She whimpered, her legs trembling, her sex pulsing and starving for him, for the release only he could give her. “T-touch you…too…” She begged incoherently.

 

Inuyasha didn't answer her, but pushed his fingers so deep in her that she cried out, eyes tightly shut.

 

“Look at me. Look at me, Kagome…” He panted. Kagome opened her eyes with much difficulty. “I want to see your face as you come for me…” Inuyasha breathed, staring into her eyes so intensely Kagome felt as though he was not gazing upon her face, but devouring her entire being with his smoldering stare.

 

“Inuyasha…Gods…I can't…” She gasped for breath, her inner muscles contracting around his fingers. “Oh Gods, Inu…Inuyasha!” Kagome moaned loudly, eyes fluttering shut, her hips thrusting in wild abandon.

“Look at me, bitch...” Inuyasha urged fervently.

 

Kagome opened her eyes again and tried to maintain eye contact with him as he pumped his hand into her hot channel, his thumb working against her clit as Kagome rocked her hips wildly, giving in completely.

 

Faster he worked her, and faster she moved her hips. He stroked her swollen pearl with his thumb and with one final, hard thrust from his skillful fingers, Kagome let out a silent cry and her sex convulsed, her nails digging into Inuyasha's shoulders, blinded for a blissful moment of violent rapture.

 

“Yes…that's it…” Inuyasha breathed, fingers still inside of her as he felt her inner walls clutching him in a vice-like grip, then relaxing as her hot juices flooded his fingers. The thought of being inside her wet, hot depths, of her muscles squeezing his throbbing cock like they were doing to his fingers, was too much for Inuyasha to take.

 

Pre-cum stained the front of his hakama as he tried with all of his might not to explode. He was hurting so…but he had seen Kagome's flushed face as she'd climaxed; he had been blessed with the most glorious sight in the world, and he clung to that perfect image, as he slowly slid his conquering fingers out of her shuddering sex.

 

Not even giving Kagome time to recover from her orgasm, Inuyasha began fondling her core again, rubbing his hand up and down, massaging her womanhood.

 

“W-wait…” Kagome managed, and Inuyasha nearly yelped in agony and surprise when he felt her own hand reaching for his evident arousal. “Let me…let me, now…” Kagome begged of him breathlessly.

 

“Want you to. Can't.” Inuyasha panted, with a clear hint of desperation. His right hand pressed hard against her trembling sex, as his thumb and forefinger reached again for her naked, glistening pearl, flickering it this way and that, gently applying pressure on it.

 

“Gods…oh, Gods…p-please…” Kagome moaned in near agony, trying not to grind against his hand to no avail. In return, she squeezed lightly at Inuyasha's covered hardness. The inu-hanyou moaned and shook his head weakly. Shakily, his left hand pried Kagome's away from his aching arousal.

 

“Can't…” He snarled, panting heavily. “Can't…let you…” He sighed regretfully.

 

Despite her clouded brain, Kagome understood, and not only heard, but sensed the anguish in Inuyasha's voice and youki, the desire eating at him and consuming him as it had consumed her, and she was still starving for him…and Kagome realized she had been selfish and cursed herself for it.

 

If he wouldn't let her touch him…there was only one thing she could do, even if her body protested loudly and wept at her resolve. She regretted not doing this sooner, but she gathered what little self control she had left and managed to utter a single word. “S-stop…”

 

Inuyasha frowned in disapointment, but abruptly stopped fondling her core. He felt her warm small hand laying on top of his, which was still cupping her sex and apparently refused to let go, in spite of having ceased his ministrations.

 

Kagome's scent was everywhere. Her heat permeated his hand, his fingers were coated in her mouth-watering release, and her enticing fragrance was imprinted in every fiber of his being, her aura burning his youki mercilessly.

 

It took all of his self control, and he was secretly proud of this, not to lap at his own fingers and palm greedily. If he couldn't have the real thing…he could at least taste his bitch properly in his hanyou form, finally taste her again like he was meant to…he recalled having licked his fingers clean of her release the previous night as a human… and how faint her sweet essence had seemed to him, and now he wanted to fully taste her again…and yet…he was troubled.

 

His youkai side had not uttered a single word, and although this should have made him feel at ease, it only made Inuyasha feel a strange, dull sense of dread. It was as if the cunning bastard was biding his time, waiting for the right moment to break free…his youkai's form odd silence was much worse and disturbing than if he had been speaking in his head like the inu-hanyou had reluctantly grown accustomed to…

 

Inuyasha shut his eyes briefly, as he felt her small hand on his own, and still refused to let go. But Kagome had ceased her movements, and he realized she was speaking to him. “If you won't let me…make you happy too…what good is it, if I belong to you, but you don't belong to me?” She echoed his words from before, and forced a smile, trying to breathe normally again and failing. “Don't do this…to yourself…” She finished weakly.

 

Her body was screaming for more…but she knew Inuyasha must be aching, too. And he had pleasured her as much as he'd allowed himself to in his hanyou form…

 

“K-Kagome…” Inuyasha said, blinking at her in confusion. A shadow crossed his golden eyes for a split second.

 

“Why won't you let me touch you?” She asked softly, as she gently removed his hand from between her legs, although she knew the answer only too well.

 

She noticed Inuyasha was having trouble breathing also, and his youki had become unbearably hot. She also knew exactly why he wouldn't let her touch him now, and why he'd gotten so upset about her responding to him before. Inuyasha was frightened for her, like he had been all along, ever since his human blood had been weakened.

 

Kagome could feel his erection pushing and pressing against her thigh, his hot breath coming in small, ragged pants against her lips. “Don't be afraid…you'll never hurt me…” She whispered reassuringly.

 

“I ain't afraid!” He snapped suddenly, eyes narrowing, golden depths flashing in a mix of hurt and anger. “You refusing me, bitch? Is that it?”

 

“Baka. Of course that's not it.” She said, and kissed him chastely. “I'm refusing to be the one to be pleased by her chosen one…if he refuses to let her please him too. I know you let me last night…because you were human. I-I shouldn't have let you…do this now…I was selfish…and you…you won't let me touch you…love you…now, because you're not human…” She met his troubled eyes sadly. “Right?”

 

Inuyasha's golden eyes softened and he looked down at her small hand still holding his tightly. “I couldn't bear it if he…if my youkai side…touched you again…” He grumbled, and couldn't prevent the furious, possessive growl that erupted from the back of his throat at the mere thought of that asshole laying his claws on his Kagome.

 

“Then we'll just have to find a way to stop the transformation.” Kagome stated, as if this was the easiest thing in the world to do. “Will you let your chosen one help you?”

“Does this mean you'll purify me?” Inuyasha asked hopefully.

 

“No.” Kagome stated, matter-of-factly. “But I'll learn the spell. Will that make you feel better?”

 

“What the hell are you gonna learn it for, if you won't use it against me, wench?”

 

“I promise to learn it, for you. But I won't use it against you, Inuyasha.” Kagome replied gently.

 

“Not even if you're in danger? Stupid bitch, would you rather he…” Inuyasha said between clenched teeth.

 

Kagome cut him off. “He won't hurt me! You won't hurt me! But I will do this that goes against everything I believe in, because you asked me to, because you're scared to death, and because it's all I can do right now to help you. I have no idea what weakened your human blood, but I do know who was the cause of it.”

 

Her voice was hurt, but not incriminating. Which made the inu-hanyou feel worse. He opened his mouth to argue, but she a hand up to silence him. “I said I wouldn't, and I won't, ask you about this. It's just…I know you'll never hurt me. But I'll learn the purification…for you.”

 

“You'll purify me, then?” He asked again, this time with little hope. She sighed wearily in response and shook her head. “You're one stubborn wench.” Inuyasha said. “But you've got to promise me you will purify him - me - if he…if…I…go berserker on you. Even if you seem to stupidly think he won't hurt you. You're a miko, Kagome! You can fucking sense danger!” He was growing irritated and this only made Kagome irritated, too.

 

Inuyasha backtracked across his own words. Did Kagome really not sense any danger from his youkai half? How could that possibly be? His annoyance and disbelief quickly turned into shock. He sensed the danger…how come she couldn't?

 

“I promise I will try…if I sense danger. Which I won't!” Kagome was saying angrily.

 

Inuyasha looked so devastated and confused suddenly that it broke Kagome's heart. So she smiled reassuringly at him, her previous outburst forgotten, and kissed him very gently.

 

Inuyasha was hesitant, in spite of acting so bold minutes before, as he slowly wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and kissed her back with as much tenderness as he could muster, when what he really wanted to do was devour her mouth like there was no tomorrow; when what he'd really wanted to do before was throw her on the grass, spread her legs, and lap at her core madly, to make her cum over and over in his mouth, to suck and lick her and drown in her scent and essence until he couldn't breathe…to do what he had refused his human side to do back in the old hag's hut on the night of the New Moon…but if he risked it, would his youkai form appear like he had done earlier that morning?

 

No, he couldn't risk it…he couldn't…couldn't…damn it, he couldn't stop now…

 

Inuyasha deepened the kiss as he pushed these disturbing thoughts away, his swollen sex demanding release, as his hand reached down and grabbed Kagome's leg, wrapping it about his hip and pulling her closer to his frenzied body.

 

His mouth dominated hers, and he began to grind against her, unable to stop himself and cursing his own weakness, his pulsing, painful arousal evident against her naked thigh, her skirt teasingly hiked up around her waist.

 

Kagome closed her eyes and felt Inuyasha's claws stroking her leg and moving to her buttocks, giving them a light squeeze. She gasped when her core brushed his stiff, covered manhood. A choked whimper escaped Inuyasha's lips and was swallowed by Kagome's mouth, as he hopelessly attempted to stop rubbing his erection against her. Her skin felt so hot, her mouth was so succulent, as her lips avidly suckled on his tongue…

 

Shit, he might as well have been naked, the sensations were so strong, the friction was such unbearable, delicious torture…

 

It was too much...it had been too much since the beginning and he hadn't possessed the self control to stop it, and in fact he had been the one to torture himself while trying to soothe Kagome's own desire and now he didn't know how to stop it…

 

He was going to burst any time now and that was going to be something that would embarrass him for the rest of his life.

 

But by the Gods, her fervent kisses…her hot body against his, her hips thrusting against him as he blindly thrust back…the scent of her fresh arousal, and the fragrance of her previous release…her hot essence coating his hand…he wanted more, he wanted everything…

 

All of me. All of you. One.

 

His youkai form had spoken these words. And it was the only thing his youkai self had ever said or done that Inuyasha thought had made perfect, beautiful sense. Kagome had repeated his own words to him earlier.

 

Yes, one. Mates…

 

But…he couldn't, damn it! Naraku was out there…he knew all about Kikyou…and he knew about the change in his relationship with Kagome…the bastard had toyed with them…and for some reason Inuyasha didn't want to understand, Naraku actually wanted Kagome to become Inuyasha's mate…

 

So how could he…how could he do this, when he had no clue how to soothe his youkai form, how to strengthen his human blood, how to make Kagome his mate, for that matter…how could Inuyasha do what Naraku expected of him, what his youkai side demanded of him…what his human heart ached for and his hanyou self couldn't go on without - when he just knew it would please the two beings he loathed the most? His dark side…and the dark hanyou that had dared lay his filthy hands on his chosen one.

 

His mate.

 

But…how? He had no idea how to mark her as his…he had a scent claim on Kagome but…how to let the world know she was his mate when the time came? He knew he could lay with Kagome without them actually becoming mates.

 

Sesshoumaru was proof of that, he had taken half of the population of female youkai in the Western Lands as far as Inuyasha knew, and had disposed of them all. But Inuyasha didn't know what this meant exactly. He wouldn't base his actions on what the asshole that he had for a half-brother did.

 

Could it mean that to prevent a female from becoming a mate, they'd have to be killed after the coupling? That didn't make sense either, or else there would hardly be any female youkai left…unless of course, the female youkai also disposed of their partners once they had served the purpose of satisfying them to prevent this, too…

 

No, Inuyasha knew there was something else involved…something that went beyond coupling…something much more intense, and all he knew was that it was supposedly painful for humans.

 

His Mother had been marked. He'd smelled it as a pup, but he didn't know what it meant, really…only that her Mother rightfully belonged to his Father and no one else could lay a hand on her. His Father had died, and it had caused his Mother to begin to die on the inside as well. Sometimes, Inuyasha thought she'd died of a broken heart. What this meant and how his Father had accomplished this…ritual, though, the inu-hanyou had no clue, and it was driving him mad.

 

But now…Kagome's safety was the most important thing in his mind. It had always been, really. He could deal with this, he told himself over and over. Shit, he was used to being hard around her. He'd dealt with this shit for two fucking years…

 

Except he'd never imagined that anything would happen between himself and the miko from the future. Things had changed. Everything had changed. And now he couldn't trust himself. He couldn't believe Kagome trusted not only him, but his youkai side too…bitch had to be insane, not to sense danger from his full demon side…either that or she was completely ignoring her miko instincts. Unconsciously, perhaps? Inuyasha couldn't help but wonder the reason why…he could clearly sense the danger from his youkai blood…and he didn't understand why Kagome couldn't.

 

In fact, it angered and frustrated him to no end, that the wench was so blind to the danger she was exposed to, the danger he had unwillingly exposed her to...

 

`No more thinking…no more…just…this…this is Heaven, this is where I want to be…in Kagome's arms, forever…I just wanna stop thinking! I just want…I want…Kagome…'

 

Inuyasha knew this was not his human side, or his youkai half, but his hanyou self desperately trying to bring him back from this blissful daze he didn't really want to be torn away from…

 

`But…' That same persistent, tiny voice whispered in his clouded mind. `You will hurt her, baka…you have to stop…you can't…you can't let him…'

 

Inuyasha ignored this annoying little voice in his head as his lips parted from Kagome's for a split second before meeting her mouth again, the tips of their tongues licking at each other, and this time he managed to kiss her tenderly, gently, his hands moving upwards and pressing onto her lower back, regretfully abandoning the soft, luscious flesh of her bottom, as Kagome's leg shakily lowered itself and her foot found the grassy ground again.

 

`Yes, that's it…you can…you can stop it…careful, careful…she's so tender, so delicate…you won't hurt her…don't give him the chance to…' Inuyasha told himself, finally regaining control over his mind and body.

 

His sex was throbbing painfully and steadily, but this was a sensation he had learned to live with for years of longing for Kagome…he had to be strong now…for his bitch…he couldn't keep this up.

 

Inuyasha hated to listen to reason. But he couldn't deny he was right. Sometimes, he hated being right…

 

Still, he continued to kiss her, his tongue and lips tingling and sore, even though their kiss had become less aggressive than before.

 

`Take it slow now…you can stop it…just…stop kissing her, damnit!'

 

He would, he told himself, he would definitely stop any time now…but…he wanted to kiss her a little more…it wouldn't hurt…just for a little longer…she tasted so good…so fucking good…

 

That was when a tiny, embarrassed, yet clearly amused voice interrupted the exchange.

 

“Sorry to interrupt…I'll leave you two alone now. But Sango and Miroku were wondering if you were okay…and even though Miroku wanted to check on you…not that we could hear anything from that far…well, Sango hit him with Hiraikotsu and said I'd better come check on you guys…” Shippo said as he smirked at the blushing couple, tiny fangs showing. “But I see you're doing just fine! Don't mind me! I'll leave and tell Sango and Miroku you're busy…”

 

Kagome blushed hotly as she abruptly let go of Inuyasha. Her legs were trembling and she felt secretly proud of herself for being able to stand alone without his arms supporting her.

 

She immediately missed the warmth of his body when he let go, though, and bit her lip to keep herself from crying out in frustration.

 

“Runt…” Inuyasha began, his hardness quickly dissipating at the emergence of the young kit, he shook a fist at the smirking kitsune.

 

Shippo burst out laughing. It was a refreshing sound, after that tense morning. Even Kagome smiled a little. However, the young miko's face suddenly turned serious and she looked over Inuyasha's shoulder in surprise.

 

“Shikon shards…two of them…coming at us really fast…” Kagome murmured, trying to hide the fact that she was completely out of breath. Her fingertips rose to her swollen lips and she shuddered involuntarily.

 

Inuyasha, who had been too involved in smelling Kagome's enticing fragrance he had unconsciously blocked his nose to any and all other scents, sniffed the air suspiciously and his nose wrinkled in disgust.

 

He could clearly catch the wolf stench of no other than the Prince of the Ookami now. And it was coming closer.

 

There was one thing that he was grateful for, however, since the wolf's stench had promptly erased all erotic thoughts from his mind and he could breathe normally again.

 

“Stinking wolf…if he touches you, I swear…” Inuyasha began, his fists clenching at his sides, growling low in his throat.

 

“Inuyasha, be nice, Kouga-kun doesn't mean any harm…” Kagome said, laying a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder.

 

She could sense danger, and it was coming from no other than Inuyasha…and this feeling of dread abruptly erased her previous state of blissful surrender, as well as any lustful thoughts that might have still lingered in her dizzy brain.

 

“Are you two done - talking?” Sango and Miroku approached the small group.

 

“Actually, they weren't talking at all, their faces were glued together…” Shippo began.

 

Inuyasha grabbed the kit by the tail and shook him. “Shut the fuck up, you little shit! And just how long have you been standing there anyways?!”

 

“Yeah, like we didn't notice.” Sango said, rolling her eyes, not noticing the inu-hanyou's edgy behaviour heralding the approach of his so called rival, Kouga.

 

Miroku was trying his best not to burst out laughing. He was trying so hard for his friends' sake, in fact, that his face was turning a slight shade of magenta. Yet he couldn't resist adding a little something to the conversation.

 

“Please don't tell me Kagome-sama fell on her neck and hit a rock again…” The monk said, all genuine concern.

 

Kagome covered her face with her hands. “No, I didn't. Thanks for reminding me of the single most embarrassing moment of my life, Miroku-sama.”

 

“I am only here to help, lady Kagome.” Miroku grinned at his miko friend.

 

Inuyasha hadn't stopped growling since Kagome had mentioned Kouga was approaching. Sango stared at her friends, trying very hard to ignore their flushed faces and Kagome's ragged breathing, that was gradually returning to normal.

 

Noticing the fierce tornado of dust that quickly approached the group, the taijiya bit her lower lip and focused on what lay ahead of them. “Kouga's coming? This isn't good.” Sango whispered to Miroku. “There is going to be a fight.”

 

“Sango…there is always a fight when Kouga is involved…” Miroku retorted.

 

“You don't get it. Kouga is male…”

 

“I believe we are all aware of that fact, Sango…” Miroku said, blinking at her in confusion.

 

“Baka! Especially now, Inuyasha's youkai side will see any male as a threat to his intended mate! If Kouga so much as…”

 

“Kagome!” Kouga was in front of the girl in a second, grabbing her hands and squeezing them. His empty cobalt eyes narrowed with concern as he jumped to conclusions. “What did that dog turd do to you? What kind of fucking spell is this?!”

 

He sniffed and caught the scent of Kagome's arousal. It was too recent. And it was too strong. He turned furiously towards Inuyasha, who was currently growling loudly at the sudden appearance of the wolf youkai.

 

Kagome blinked. “Huh? Spell? Kouga-kun…”

 

Kouga wrinkled his nose. “Kagome…your sweet scent…it's tainted with that of dog breath over there…”

 

Inuyasha promptly dropped Shippo and the kitsune whined when his bottom hit the ground.

 

“Why you…” Inuyasha began, fists shaking at his sides. He immediately came between Kagome and Kouga, glowering at the wolf Prince, hiding Kagome's body with his own as he protectively stood before her.

 

“Stay. Away. From. Her.” He warned the wolf youkai with a deep, throaty, particularly vicious growl, golden eyes narrowing to slits.

 

Kouga's hackles rose. Inuyasha seemed more edgy than usual, extremely defensive… Something had happened, something drastic, and the Ookami Prince didn't like it one bit. His instincts told him to act immediately.

 

He pushed the inu-hanyou away, completely ignoring his snarling, and focused his entire attention on his woman.

 

“I'll take you away from here, Kagome, to my den, where you'll be safe from him! I can't let an ugly mutt lay his hands all over my woman!” He declared heatedly.

 

Kagome opened her mouth to defend Inuyasha, but Kouga cut her off confidently. Somehow, he knew his undefined relationship with Kagome was on the line, and he wasn't about to tuck his tail between his legs and submit to anyone, not even the reproachful urges he sensed from Kagome herself…

 

“It must be painful for you…there's no need to explain anything!” Kouga said as he shook his head sadly.

 

“But…” Kagome began.

 

“Hush!” Kouga held a hand up. “Don't try to defend him, Kagome. Your kind heart forgives even the most unforgivable deeds…but I can smell that asshole all over you, there's no need to deny it or protect him, Kagome. Luckily I got here on time…bastard hasn't taken advantage of you yet…I'll look after you now. You must have been so frightened…” He pulled her towards his chest and hugged her dramatically. Surely, he would win her over…

 

Kagome's tiny yelp of surprise and look of utter, wide-eyed confusion would have been funny had the circumstances been different. “Kouga-kun, wait…it's not…not like that.” Kagome stuttered. She finally managed to free herself from Kouga's arms as politely as she could and forced a smile. “Inuyasha…we…”

 

“You. Touched. Her.” Inuyasha stated in a low voice as he approached the wolf youkai slowly, in a manner that reminded Kagome of a lion stalking his unsuspecting prey.

 

Something about Inuyasha's tone and loud growl vibrating in the back of the inu-hanyou's voice made Kouga turn around sharply, his long, dark ponytail flinging over one shoulder. “What did you say, mutt?”

 

“You…touched…Kagome…” Inuyasha repeated slowly before launching into the defensive, his voice raising, becoming louder, more dangerous. “You've known for years Kagome's my bitch, you stinking wolf, and yet you do…that…thing with her hands…and you hold her…like you don't fucking know! I've got a scent claim on her. Fucking deal with it, you wimpy wolf! Kagome belongs to me!”

 

“Bullshit! Kagome's my woman!” Kouga returned the gesture. His instincts had been right, something had happened between the inu-hanyou and his woman, something that threatened his verbal claim on her.

 

He had to act - now. The fact that Inuyasha's dog stench was mingled so strongly with Kagome's didn't ease the wolf Prince's mind at all. He'd ignored this for two years, but now it was most certainly impossible for any youkai with half a decent sense of smell that Inuyasha's claim on Kouga's woman had become stronger. He was a fool for letting his woman hang around dog turd for so long. He should have taken her with him when he'd had the chance. But not everything was lost…

 

“And in fact, guess what, dog shit? I'm taking her with me, right now! You won't lay your filthy hands on my Kagome ever again!” Kouga shouted at the inu-hanyou furiously, his cobalt eyes challenging anyone and all who would oppose to his verbal claim and abrupt yet firm decision.

 

It was time he put his foot down. He had to save Kagome from the disgrace of Inuyasha's mere presence. This had to be a joke. A spell. Anything! Kagome had obviously been deceived…

 

Yet she was not marked…and the wolf Prince couldn't smell Inuyasha inside his woman. All over her, yes. More than usual, that too. And his youki was somehow…by some trick perhaps…it was surrounded by Kagome's aura. And vice versa.

 

No, this was not good. This was inexcusable. No one was going to steal his woman from him, let alone a stinking, half-breed mutt!

 

The wolf youkai flung the young miko over his shoulder. Kagome let out a tiny squeak of surprise. “Kouga-kun, put me down! It's okay! Inuyasha didn't do anything to…” She started.

 

“Guess what, pathetic, weak, wimpy wolf?” Inuyasha said in a low tone. He looked up at Kouga and his eyes bled crimson. “You…aren't going anywhere.” His voice deepened by a full octave, became raspy, and jagged purple marks appeared on his cheekbones as his claws and fangs lengthened.

 

Kouga immediately put Kagome down, so fast she fell on her bottom; his instinct telling him to run for the hills.

 

Kouga's cobalt blue eyes narrowed. What the hell was happening to Inuyasha? His youki…it was unbelievable! His face…and most importantly, his scent…no, it couldn't be! But it was the scent of a full youkai… and he was outmatched in the shadow of this full youkai Inuyasha. Visible waves of anger and possessiveness rolled off his strengthening form, his aura darkening.

 

Still, the wolf Prince refused to run as his instincts were now howling at him to do. If he had escaped from Inuyasha the first time he had sensed the Wind Scar coming right at him, it was nothing compared to the danger he was up against now…

 

Kagome screamed Inuyasha's name, but the now full dog demon's crimson eyes were fixed on his prey and he didn't even blink or acknowledge her presence. Sango and Miroku stood back, their faces full of concern and caution. Inuyasha was clearly not listening to Kagome.

 

“Don't hurt him, Inuyasha!” Kagome tried again. “Kouga-kun…you've got to…”

 

Kouga cut her off with a snort, flinging his ponytail over his shoulder, his hands on his hips, trying to look and sound more confident than he felt. “Hurt me? Dog turd? Kagome, don't worry about a thing. I've got this under control!” Kouga snickered and cracked his knuckles, grinning cockily at his opponent.

 

This meant war…

 

 

TBC

 

AN: YM luvs Kouga-kun! My, my, he's in trouble now…whatever will happen to the dense and persistent but incredibly hot wolf boy? Guess you'll have to review and see…err…wait and review…I mean, wait and see! *innocent grin*

 

Until next chapter! MERRY CHRISTMAS! AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! Love, ramen, pocky and best wishes to you all! Even if you don't review! Keh :P

YM