InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Red Riding Haori ❯ Part 5 ( Chapter 5 )

Red Riding Haori

Part 5

 

Kagome awoke to the smell of herbal tea and cooked rice. She didn't want to wake up, didn't want to open her eyes. But the smells were so tantalising. They reached into her sleep fogged brain, enticing her further into the waking world. A sudden gurgle from her stomach had her instantly awake, her eyes popping open as she became aware of just how hungry she was.

 

She blinked a few times to clear them, staring at the wall as firelight flickered from behind her, covering it with strange shadows. She frowned, trying to place the wall in her memory, trying to remember where she was. Shifting she pulled her blanket closer as she became aware of the cold air. Then she noticed it, the familiar red of her blanket, the smell of the forest and of a certain hanyou that surrounded her comfortingly. It all came back in that moment, images and sensations assaulting her mind at once.

 

She bolted upright, clutching the haori to her. The ach of her body caused a surprised gasp to escape from between her lips. Her muscles were stiff from overuse and the two bites stretched uncomfortably.

 

“You okay?”

 

She whirled toward the familiar voice and found Inuyasha standing in front of the doorway. She noticed that he'd re-hung the mat that covered the door, blocking out the wind and light. She became confused by the softness of his expression matched with the intense gaze he was directing at her.

 

“How long was I asleep?” she asked.

 

He averted his gaze with a shrug, looking at the wall. “A little less than an hour. I made some food.”

 

He moved back to the fire and crouched. He then lifted a dish filled with rice and handed it to her along with some chopsticks. When he moved to pour her some tea, Kagome instantly felt uncomfortable. She should be pouring tea for him. After serving her, he sat himself against the wall just at the end of the futon and began to eat his own helping.

 

They ate in silence, each casting the other covert glances from over their food. Kagome didn't understand Inuyasha's behaviour. She was used to him being arrogant and aloof, a vibrancy of emotion. Now he seemed introspective, almost depressed really… he looked how she felt.

 

Kagome put down her bowl and pushed it away, finished. “Inuyasha?”

 

He grunted in response, staring down at his own empty bowl as if willing it to fill again.

 

Kagome leaned forward some, her arm reaching along the pallet to him. She needed him. Interaction with him was necessary in order to take her mind off of the memories and the pain.

 

“Inuyasha…I…. You were hurt, weren't you?” she said, hoping that he would let her look after his wounds like he had previously.

 

Inuyasha finally looked up at her, a familiar glower darkening his brow. “Keh. I told you before, they've healed already.”

 

He couldn't believe it, after everything she had been through she stilled worried about him first. He didn't deserve it. She didn't know yet, but soon she would and he would never again have her kind words and eyes directed at him.

 

Kagome smiled encouragingly, aware that they were likely as healed as he said. “You could just let me look at them; the blood needs to be cleaned off at the very least.”

 

He continued to frown as he considered Kagome's request. He was aware of the discomfort of her wounds; they were in greater need of attention than his own. Perhaps she would let him check them if he gave into her this time.

 

“Fine.” He stood and began to remove his arms from his undershirt, letting it fall and drape about his hips. “But you have to let me look after yours next.” He moved to retrieve the leftover water from the kettle, pouring it into a bowl before finding a scrap of material and dunking it in.

 

Kagome watched him move, contemplating the condition he had given. It was only fair, she supposed. It made her feel warm at the thought that he worried about her health as much as she worried about his. He kneeled in front of her, placing the bowl with the cloth beside him

 

“Well, what's your answer?”

 

She hesitated for a moment before she nodded her agreement. He turned and sat himself down in front of her, pulling his silver grey hair off his back and holding it on his shoulder. His back was covered in a layer of dried blood and sweat, some spots clumping more then others. She couldn't tell if the claw marks were gone.

 

She took up the cloth and wrung it out before placing it against his skin. His ears swivelled on the top of his head as she began to gently rub and wash his skin. It didn't take long before he was completely clean, his muscles tensing beneath his skin as her hands now ran over him, looking for any sign of injury. True enough, the wounds had closed. Only light welts showed now, barely visible.

 

“Done,” she said, the word coming out as a murmur, “you can turn around now.” She replaced the cloth in the water, the blood staining it pink.

 

He slid his arms back into his shirt before turning to face her. She looked uncertain, unconsciously nibbling on her lip in a way that had him fixated. Her eyes flittered up to meet his and he focused on them, pulling away from the tantalising images her actions were bringing to his mind.

 

“Turn around Kagome. It's your turn,” he said, his voice gruff.

 

Her hand went to the bite on her shoulder and she pulled back immediately at the stinging sensation, a hiss sliding between her teeth. It did need to be cleaned, as the other was sure too. But, she wasn't sure she wanted him to see them. They symbolised so much, her inability to defend herself, her own folly in her stubbornness, the proof another man had touched her….

 

“Inuyasha, I…” she said, wanting to get out of it now, feeling both guilty and dirty.

 

The hanyou shook his head curtly, holding a hand up to silence her. He still glowered as he held her eyes, not letting her look away. “No, you promised Kagome, and they need to be looked at. Now turn around.”

 

She glared at Inuyasha, fuming silently at his immovability. But she knew when to pick her fights, and this wasn't one of them. He had genuine concern for her, and she couldn't get angry at him for that. With a sigh of resignation, she turned around so he had access to her back. She listened as he shifted about and then his legs came up on either side of her. She pulled her hair to the side and over her uninjured shoulder only to hesitate for a moment. Her hands involuntarily clenched the haori tighter before they loosened, allowing it to drape down and expose her back. She heard his breath catch and looked over her shoulder just as he laid hands on her. Fingers passed around the bites, pressing on them gently, though it still stung some.

 

“You'll have scars,” he said in a murmur as his eyes inspected them intently.

 

He didn't like the thought of her skin being blemished in such a way. The evidence of his inability to protect her forever carved into her flesh, a reminder to both her and him of his failure and her subsequent pain.

 

“I know,” she said quietly, looking away, unable to meet his gaze.

 

She was resigned to the scars for many of the same reasons she had not wanted Inuyasha to see them. She had been raised to know how important it was for her to protect her family honour and that to do so was to protect her body. No man wanted tainted or flawed goods. Inuyasha could never want her now, and that thought made tears sting the back of her eyes once again.

 

The scent of her tears, dried sweat and blood overpowered his senses. He did not like the mixture, did not like it when Kagome cried. She was not meant for crying. He wanted the scars gone, for selfish reasons as well as for her sake. She didn't deserve the reminder of such violent experiences.

 

Without realising what he was doing, he moved on instinct and began to lick at the punctures on her back. He had no idea how it could help, but still continued, removing the dried blood from around it before moving to the punctures themselves. As his tongue laved over them, the scabs that had formed came off and a trickle of her fresh blood hit his tongue before they began to clot again. He shuddered at the taste. It was coppery like any humans would be, but the mix of it with the taste of her skin and her individual scent was enough to drive all thought from his mind. His arm unconsciously wrapped about her waist, pulling her closer, while the other held her shoulder to keep her still as he moved to the bite on her shoulder.

 

At the touch of his wet tongue on her skin, Kagome gasped, tensing momentarily before allowing a shudder to run through her. Tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked as emotions erupted at the act. He had never shown such care for her before, and that he would after she was tainted by the touch of another was overwhelming. There was a repetitive gentleness to it that calmed her. The low rumble she heard coming from his chest vibrated through her and caused a hypnotic effect. She felt so relaxed and safe that her eyes drifted closed, the lapping both soothing and stimulating at the same time.

 

When his mouth shifted and his arm snaked around her to pull her closer her stomach did a flip and her eyes flew open. She was pulled right up against him, his body arching over hers protectively as his mouth remained latch to her shoulder, hand holding her still, his legs bending around her, surrounding her in him.

 

“Inuyasha…”

 

His name came out in a whisper, a whimper to his ears as they swivelled attentively toward her. He pulled back slightly, his lips leaving her flesh, hovering over her. She remained still, her breathing shallow as she tried to control her emotions.

 

“I'm sorry…,” he said, his warm breath brushing against the moist patch he'd left, causing her to shiver and push out a keening breath, “I'm so sorry.”

 

She looked over her shoulder at his solemn face, confused by his apology. “No, it's alright… I… it felt good, soothing. You have no reason to apologise.”

 

He shook his head ever so slightly, his hair that fell against her whispering across her skin tantalisingly, spreading tingles wherever they brushed. “I owe you so much more than an apology, Kagome. This is my fault, no one else's.”

 

She tried to pull away so she could get a better look at him. He was talking crazy. But he held her tight, tucking his face into the crook of her neck, his breath passing over the flesh covering her pulse. He clung to her desperately, his fear apparent now, though why he was afraid, she couldn't tell.

 

“Inuyasha?” She released a hand from the haori and placed it on his head, running her fingers through the silver strands in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. “It's my own stubborn fault that I left the road to get the flowers. It's my fault I didn't trust my instincts when I reached the hut. You had nothing to do with that. There was no way you could have known the demon would come after me like that. You did everything you could, came as quickly as you could when Shippo found you, warned me to be careful, gave me your haori for protection, I don't - .”

 

“Shut up!” Inuyasha suddenly withdrew from her, pulling away from her so quickly, Kagome felt the swirl of disturbed air flow around her.

 

Hurt took hold and she whirled to glare at the angered hanyou. “I've taken responsibility, I've apologised. Why is it you won't forgive me?” A thought occurred to her. “I've been touched by another mans hands, sullied, is that it? You try to wash away the evidence hoping to make me pure again, worthy of your friendship again? But you can't, nothing you can do will change what that wolf demon did…. Please, just forgive me!”

 

Inuyasha stared at the girl trembling in front of him, dumbfounded by her words. He glowered at her, hating that she was beating herself up over something she had had no choice in.

 

“I can't forgive you.” Her eyes flickered with hurt, but he continued. “How can you forgive someone when they haven't done anything wrong?” He held up his hand to stop the protest he saw she wanted to make. “Look, this has nothing to do with some perceived taint on your part, ok? You're the purest person I know, and nothing anyone can do will change that. You're just an innocent caught up in the demon world.

 

“I'm the one who gave you the haori, and that's what marked you for the demon. If it wasn't for the haori, none of this would have happened. So, see? It's my fault. I didn't know what it meant, but I should've. I should've tried to learn something about my demon heritage, but I was stubborn and hurt by the past….” He growled angrily, digging his claws into the floorboards. “It's no excuse though; there'll never be enough of an excuse for what my ignorance caused you.”

 

Kagome stared at the floor dumbstruck. She felt like she'd been slapped in the face. “I don't understand, how….”

 

“My scent; it's on the haori. It covered yours in a dominant manner, I suppose. An indication of mate intention in the demon world, or so Shippo told me.” His voice was gruff while he glowered at the wall.

 

Inuyasha waited for her to respond, for her to say something, anything. She could scream at him, damn him to hell for all he cared, but he needed her to say something. When she continued to stare unblinking at the floor, he decided to break the silence.

 

“I'm going to go away after I take you home in the morning,” he said.

 

This got her attention. Her head drifted up, dazed eyes travelling over him. “Why? Where are you going?”

 

He avoided her gaze. “To see my brother in the Western Lands. It's time I learn about my other side. I should've learned about it long ago.”

 

Kagome frowned. “When will you come back?”

 

He didn't answer her. He couldn't answer her. He didn't know if he could come back, if he could face her.

 

Kagome's heart sank as he remained silent, avoiding her eyes. He felt so guilty, she could see that, and that he could possibly leave her forever because of it made her soul cry out in pain. She did not want him to leave, did not want to be separated from him for even a day. He couldn't help what he didn't know, he hadn't had a chance to learn from his father and his brother had banished him when he was still too young to understand. As she understood it, he had mainly been raised among humans and for the most part tended to follow their customs.

 

“Inuyasha.” He continued to avoid looking at her. “Inuyasha?” Still he looked away.

 

Irritated, she reached out and grabbed a hair tuft and pulled his head around. His eyebrows went up in surprise and he grunted in slight pain. “Inuyasha, would you look at me already?! You have nothing to feel guilty about! I don't think anyone can take responsibility for this. All of this was a series of events, a series of things that happened because they did. It's a bunch of what ifs and maybes that can't change what happened.”

 

Inuyasha shook his head. He felt his heart lighten some. He could see what she was saying, she didn't blame him, but that still didn't change his mind. “That may be, but I still have to go, Kagome.”

 

She bit her lip, knowing now what she wanted but not sure if she had the guts. It would mean leaving her family, possibly being disowned by them. It would mean giving all her trust and herself into the care of someone else. But it would be her choice; she would not be forced into a life she didn't want.

 

With a sigh she closed her eyes and dredged up the courage before looking at him from beneath her lashes. “Then take me with you. Let me stay by your side.”

 

Hope seemed to suffuse his features for a moment before his face shut down, and he looked away again. “No, I can't.”

 

Distress hit Kagome at his refusal. She was losing him, he would leave her and she would be alone. There was no hiding from her family what had happened, the scars would be all they needed to see before they started asking uncomfortable questions. And she wouldn't be able to lie to them. She'd never been good at lying. “You don't want me?”

 

He squeezed his eyes shut, his fists clenching in control. “I didn't say that. It's too dangerous where I'm going. And besides, my brother hates humans.”

 

She bit her lip, her fingers curling about the haori as she looked down at it. If only she knew more about his brother and demon society. Kouga's words to her about demon mating customs suddenly surfaced. She needed him to understand she trusted him to protect her, and this seemed the best way. Inuyasha may not know the intricacies of it, but instinct may be all he needed to read the physical signals. She didn't hesitate now; she had made her choice long ago. It was only taking the next step sooner than she had first planned.

 

Ears swivelled in her direction as Inuyasha heard the rustle of material and creak of floor boards. There was silence for a moment and then she called his name quietly; the thick tone of her voice made him curious and he peeked at her out of the corner of his eye. What he saw had the blood rushing from his head to his groin instantly. He couldn't help but turn his whole head to take her form in completely.

 

She lay on her back, her legs curled under and to the side, hips slightly tilted toward him. Her ink black hair tumbled around her shoulder to the floor as she watched him with darkened eyes. Her face was serene even as she watched him intently, openly, exposing her soul like she did her body. The haori still adorned her, her hands clutching it closed. She let go of it and raised her hands above her head, letting it fall open.

 

Inuyasha felt his mouth go dry at the sight of the pale skin. One breast was exposed, the pink nipple already pebble tight while the other remained teasingly hidden from him, still partially covered by the red material. His eyes were drawn down the pale flesh that was now tingeing red under his inspection. He came to the triangle of black curls, the bottom of the cloth curled around a thigh and between the two, only giving a peek. His breath caught in his throat.

 

He didn't know why, but the position she was in was extremely arousing to him. He didn't dare move a muscle for fear of losing control and ravaging her like Kouga had tried to do.

 

Kagome shivered at the devouring look in his amber eyes as they traversed her body, taking in what she offered. She felt a moment of fear, remembering that look in Kouga's eyes, but quickly stamped it down. This was Inuyasha. He would never hurt her.

 

Her voice was thick and husky as she spoke. “I've chosen. I want you as protector and husband. You are my alpha male, my only male. I will have no other but you. I will die alone if not with you. The question is, am I your female? You fought for me, tried to protect me, and for the most part, you succeeded. Do you want me? Do you need me like I need you?”

 

His heart filled too nearly overflowing at her words and what she willingly offered. His breathing was already shallow, his erection straining against his clothing. It took great effort on his part to remain where he was instead of covering her body with his like he wanted to.

 

His voice sounded strained and chocked as he responded. “You understand what you're doing? You understand the danger you'll be in as my mate, the life you'll be leading with me?”

 

She nodded, her gaze connected with his. “As long as I can stay by your side, Inuyasha, I'll be happy.”

 

With a groan Inuyasha was on top of her, nuzzling her neck and running love bites along her jaw. “Mine, my mate, my Kagome,” he murmured feverishly. His hand pushed the haori from her waist before clamping onto her hip possessively. “I chose you the day I met you. You were my alpha female then, but I didn't know how you felt, I didn't know if you'd want to be a hanyou's wife.” His mouth moved along her skin to her breathless lips and he took them with his, searing her taste into his memory as his was seared into hers.

 

Kagome's head swam as she uncurled her legs, twining them with his. Though he drank from her mouth and nipped at her skin as if he were a starving man, he was gentle, his caresses encouraging, not demanding. He bit at her bottom lip, tugging it teasingly. Taking advantage of her startled gasp, he slipping his tongue in and slid it against hers, causing her to shudder at the foreign texture. She instinctively surged hers against his, exploring him, trying to learn everything about him in that one kiss.

 

Her hands moved to his back, seeking to take pleasure in and give pleasure to her chosen. His hair was silky in her hands as they wandered up his back. She could feel his muscles flex beneath his shirt as he moved above her and wished the cloth were gone. When his hand found her breast she was momentarily distracted from her exploration. His mouth continuing to search hers as his hand massaged the globe of flesh, careful of his claws. A finger brushed lightly over her nipple, her back arching toward it, searching for the touch again even as her hands continued their migration.

 

His hair fell to the side, creating a curtain as she regained some focus and continued her movement to the top of his head where her goals lay in wait. Doing what she had always dreamed of but never had the guts to try; Kagome took hold of the two white triangles and began to rub them between thumb and finger.

 

Inuyasha faltered at the feel of her fingers on his ears, her thumb massaging the inside as her fingers mused with the fur. She hit a particularly sensitive spot sending a jolt of pleasure through him which caused him to groan, bucking against her before crushing her startled self to him. Wrenching his mouth from hers, he latched onto her shoulder and began to suck on her skin with bruising force, his tongue bathing it soothingly even as he continued. She cried out at the sensation, her hands tumbling from his ears and into his hair, holding his head to her as she moaned beneath him.

 

“Inu…yasha…” Her voice husky and eyes glazed as she murmured her lover's name.

 

His ears twitched at the sound of his name and the need in the voice that spoke it. His mouth moved from the darkening mark he had made, sliding along her collar bone to the valley between her breasts, trying to taste all of her. He found the scent of the wolf there and with a growl, quickly cleaned it from her, his tongue moving over where he'd been; intently covering the demon wolfs scent with his own.

 

Kagome writhed and panted as he lapped at her breasts. When he took one into his mouth and began to suckle on the nipple, she couldn't help but cry out and keen as he changed pressure, arching against him in encouragement. Her legs moved restlessly against his, her hips undulating unconsciously beneath, obtaining an equally unconscious grinding of his arousal against her thigh.

 

He followed the scent of the wolf, cleaning it from her skin as he moved down her body. He held her hips still to stop her writhing, but her flesh continued to shiver at his touch and the caress of his breath. He finally reached the curls hiding her wet core from him. The scent that surrounded him was Kagome's, only heady with arousal. He was drawn to it and with an excited growl pressed her thighs wide allowing him to access the place his instincts screamed he belonged.

 

His mouth latched on to her, nuzzling the curls aside, his tongue running along her slit in an excruciatingly slow manner that had Kagome squirming and gasping out his name between pants. Her hands found his ears again, eliciting a growl of content approval that vibrated against the nub of flesh his tongue had found. She cried out at the sensation, bucking against him as the pressure that had begun to build at his first touch intensified. She felt light, her mind dazed as it focused on her body only, intent on the sensations of his mouth as it sucked and lapped at her, surging into her and out again in a maddening rhythm.

 

Her body was hot and damp, her mind frenzied as the pressure built higher, her abdomen tightening and fluttering until finally it let go. She was unprepared for her body's reaction, the pleasure was incredible, but the convulsions and clenching of muscles frightened her some. A mix of cries left her, whimpers of fear and cries of satisfaction drawing a calming rumble from Inuyasha as he drank the nectar from her release, enjoying the taste of her as well as the satisfaction at removing all traces of the wolf from his mate.

 

He pulled back from her, quickly shrugging out of his shirt and pants while she recovered. Her glazed eyes watched him as he moved; he could feel them on him but didn't feel self-conscious. He let her look for a few moments, take him in before he reached for her hips, instinct leading him to turn her over, take her as his dog demon blood demanded. Her hands gripped his, stilling him. He looked up into her eyes, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he tried to hold back. He saw discomfort and a little fear peeking out from behind the desire. He did not like that look.

 

“Another way,” she said in a whisper, “at least this first time.”

 

He nodded, his hands shifting up to take a better hold and pull her up. The haori finally slipped from her arms, the red material pooling behind her as she wrapped her arms around his neck, their eyes clashing. He held her in his lap for a moment, the two revelling in the feel of flesh sliding against flesh, her nipples grazing his chest, his fingers pressed into the small of her back.

 

Shifting his hands over her rounded behind to rest on the underside, he gripped her and lifted her, spreading her for him to rub himself against her swollen folds. His lids fluttered as her slick juices spread over him and she whimpered at the contact. Unconsciously struggling to get closer, her hips undulating against him causing a friction that had him groaning, but still he held back.

 

“Please….” Her voice was breathy, insubstantial.

 

She took his bottom lip between hers, sucking and nibbling at it before releasing it, her eyes fluttering to his not unaffected gaze. He dipped his mouth to hers, his tongue surging in once against hers before he left, nuzzling her chin up to lick at her neck, her earlobe and then latch onto her throat. He wanted her more than anything he had ever wanted before, and he knew she felt the same. She was his and he was hers.

 

He shifted her, lifting her above him before slowly lowering her, guiding her onto him. She felt him press against her entrance and dug her nails into his back as he slowly lowered her, filled her. She tried to relax; her slick walls stretched and gave way to let him in, the pressure building, until he came to her barrier. His attention on her neck intensified, she felt his teeth scrap across her skin, and then he pulled her down the rest of the way, quickly and suddenly, immersing himself in her.

 

She cried out, his name fluttering from her lips at the sudden pain, her head bowing to rest on his shoulder as she clung to him. It had surprised her; she had heard whispers of it hurting the first time for a woman, that it proved her purity. She felt relief fill her as she realised the wolf had not damaged her in anyway, that she was still intact for Inuyasha.

 

He licked at her neck, not liking the smell of her blood that came with the taking of her virginity, nor the tension in her muscles. Quickly he rearranged her legs around his waist before his moving to her back and beginning to rub her reassuringly, trying to get her to relax. She was so tight and slick, he wanted to start moving right away, but held back until he felt her body had accepted him inside of her. It was only when she stopped gripping him that he started to move.

 

They fell into rhythm with one another. At first not very well, a token of inexperience, but soon they were rocking steadily, their slick skin running together, and their arms holding each other close. They started off slow, eyes locked, breaths catching and gasping until it became too intense. Kagome's legs locked around him, using his waist as leverage while his hands on her bottom and hips helped lift her for deeper thrusts. The tempo increased, the pressure in both escalating as skin slid over skin, tongue against tongue, body into body.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome went over the edge first, her head falling back as she stared blindly at the ceiling. Her body clenched and rippled around his, drawing a growled groan from him as he thrust into her for a final time, impaling her once more before his seed entered her. He claimed her mouth again as his orgasm wracked his body, searing her, binding her to him.

 

“Kagome,” he murmured against her lips once only tremors remained, “I love you; you know that, don't you? I cherish you; even now my body still needs you.” She shivered at his words. He was still hard inside of her and he knew he would have to take her again soon. “I don't know if this is enough for the demon world, but for the human side, I will do what is right by you. We will marry before we leave.”

 

Her lips brushed his as they stretched into the smile that lit him up inside. He couldn't imagine being away from it, from her, for a day.

 

“I love you too, Inuyasha.” Emotion filled her voice. “I trust you with my heart and body. I'm sure it will make my family happy to now, but I am yours whether anyone else recognises it or not.” She felt content, her body going lax, her limb's heavy.

 

Inuyasha laid her back on the pallet covered by the haori, his body shifting in hers and eliciting a hiss of pleasure from his still sensitised mate. He began to move again, beginning the dance anew, slow and worshipful until she was crying out, the tremors running through her once again, her muscles clenching and pulling him deeper as he surged into her. He arched back with a growl, emptying his seed into her womb once again before collapsing onto her. Her arms went around him, holding him close for a time, his head resting in the crook of her neck. Finally he rolled from her, removing himself from inside her. He drew her close to him, spooning her and wrapping his arms around her.

 

His blood still wanted her, his body pressed against hers left no delusion of it being otherwise, but he could sense her need for a rest. She'd had a long day and it would be an even longer night if he had his way. But first, he would let her sleep.

 

She was bone tired now, her body slick with sweat and heavy as a sand bag. She needed to rest and was happy her hanyou recognised that. She had almost fallen to sleep when a thought struck her, her eyes shooting open and her body tensing, instantly alerting Inuyasha to her distress.

 

“Kagome? What is it, koi?”

 

“My Obaa-san! The wolf said she was alive still, but she wasn't here when I arrived.” She turned her head to look into his eyes. “We need to find her!”

 

His hand moved over her stomach reassuringly, a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. “Relax, Kagome, I found her on my way here. She's with Shippo. We'll pick them up in the morning. Just rest now. Though, if you can't fall asleep, I'd be happy to help relax you.” His eyes held a wicked gleam at the tease.

 

Kagome glowered and hit him playfully on the arm. “I don't think I could handle you again so soon.” She frowned, momentarily concentrating on state of her body. “It was my first time and… I do hurt a little now.”

 

He continued to run his hand over her stomach as he kissed her forehead. “Rest then, koi, and I'll try to control myself.”

 

He shifted their cooling bodies and brought the discarded haori out, draping it over them. She was soon asleep while he remained awake, his head resting on his hand, propping himself on his elbow as he watched her. He pushed strands of hair from her face, a tenderness never shown before relaxing his features. He didn't anticipate things being easy for them, some humans would not approve of their joining, and still more demons would want them both dead. She understood this, she was too intelligent not to, and still she had chosen to stay by his side.

 

She would have to learn to defend herself, though he would forever be by her side to protect her. It was too dangerous a journey to his brother's lands for him to risk the chance of something happening to him and she being left undefended. He could sense potential in her, she was already strong willed and her relation to a miko suggested she may have latent abilities. At the very least she could be trained to sense a demon's presence.

 

For now though, he chose not to think to deeply on the matter. They were together and safe. He rested his head behind hers, taking in the scent of her hair, allowing his body to relax at its calming effect. He tucked her closer, a murmur passing her lips at the shift before she fell still again. Soon he would wake her, but for now he would rest, his mind salved by her presence.

 

***

A/N: Well, that's the end. It's open for a continuation I suppose. If I wanted I could continue it, but I'm not sure that I will. I've got other ideas I'd like to possibly try out before I do that. Thanks for the reviews. O_O Please review and let me know what you thought of my first fanfiction. Thanks!

 

I did a line drawing for this chapter. You can find it here: http://www.deviantart.com/view/10266896/

I've also done some art for Numisma's “Movie House Hanyou”, so maybe check that out if you're interested.