InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Fate of a Hanyou ❯ Mine ( Chapter 3 )

I really and truly appreciate all of my readers, and thank you so much for the inspiring reviews! I actually came down with a bug this passed week and didn't feel like I'd be able to do justice to the next chapter if I tried to type it with a killer migraine, but now that it's gone and I have time on my hands, your words have greatly spoken to me and helped me…well, to procrastinate on writing my essay for one of my courses, really, so that I could up-date to this instead. ^____^ Ah, well. It makes me happy to write…and I'm sure I'll get my other essay finished in time. Thank you everyone who is taking the time to read this!

 

And, as always, I own nothing of the fabulous feudal fairytale that is Inuyasha.

 

The Fate of a Hanyou

 

By: Tender Ardor

 

Chapter Three: Mine

 

Kagome didn't pause to think as she bodily threw herself in front of Inuyasha's heaving form, skidding to a stop as the breath left her lungs and her arms were held out to her sides as if her small frame could cover all of Inuyasha's at once. The dome of purification was still around Inyasha's being, but Kagome knew Kikyou's arrow would be able to pierce it still, even if nothing else could. Now Kagome blocked her elder sister's chance, chest heaving as she battled for breath and her nerves fled. The clearing had done eerily silent, with the exception of a few raging howls coming from behind Kagome's being. She chanced a peek at Inuyasha and locked her knees defensively at the power of his gaze as their eyes met. Her breath caught in her throat as she gazed into his red stare, a slight prickling of color viewable in the depths of his eyes, but the light was too soft for Kagome to define the color. A shiver raked her spine as his aura pulsed around his form. He was very angry with her, of that, Kagome was certain. But as she got her lungs to function in little sporadic bursts, she realized that he wasn't about to heighten her danger. His narrowed glare of hatred was for Kikyou, and Kikyou alone.

 

“Kagome, explain yourself!”

 

Kagome's head whipped back toward her sister's and she felt the blood drain from her face. The warmth that spread seemingly throughout her entire being cooled and turned into a block of ice that rolled around in her gut, causing Kagome's unease to nearly become unbearable. Then she heard a snarl come from behind her and Kagome remembered why she was there. She cautiously stood up straight, her feet planted together and her spine erect, as she gazed toward her sister without resentment. Hands fisted at her sides, and Kagome began to wonder when Kikyou would lower her bow—if Kikyou even remembered holding her bow.

 

“You would shoot your own sister, Kikyou?”

 

Kagome saw her blink, the startled realization spreading across her sister's face before determination once again settled over the elder girl's form. Kikyou slowly shook her head. “Stand down, Kagome! As I told you before, this doesn't involve you! Now leave!”

 

Kagome's jaw clenched reflexively at her sister's words, before she positively glowered and shook her head in return.

 

“I won't!” She shouted clearly, finally noting that all eyes were on her. Her heart flip-flopped for a moment, yet still she stood firm. She would not allow for anyone to intimidate her. Her mind was already decided.

 

Kagome chose to try a new tactic.

 

“Sister Kikyou…you would shoot a fellow miko?”

 

The words were said with little emotion, but they got the effect Kagome was striving for. Kikyou's eyes widened almost imperceptibly before the grim set of her mouth settled into a firm line. The muscle in Kikyou's shoulder twitched twice before the bow in her hand slowly began to lower. The threat of her sister's arrow piercing Kagome's skin now gone, the growling behind Kagome's form rapidly lowered in volume. The feeling of warmth, acceptance, and…something Kagome wasn't sure she should acknowledge at all as of yet, quickly seeped through her form once again.

 

Kagome's brow furrowed in slight contemplation before she slightly turned to meet the eyes of the entrapped youkai once again. A smirk slowly spread across his face when their eyes met. He fought his restraints, but only briefly. His eyes seemed to also be enraptured with hers. Narrowing her gaze suspiciously as her heart seemed to thud loudly at odd moments, she whispered, “Are you doing this to me, youkai?”

 

Inuyasha gave an odd sort of a panted snort, his eyes closing as he raised his nose to the air. His expression became pained as he released a small, high-pitched whine, his head falling back to the earth before arching back further in what Kagome thought to be a very exotic display.

 

Kagome gasped, a blush forming high on her cheekbones and spreading to prickle at her chin as her widened eyes gazed at him in shock. “You better not be doing that on purpose!” She whispered heatedly, quickly growing agitated. “Just because you feel all…bothered…doesn't mean you have to make me feel that way!”

 

Inuyasha's eyes opened slowly, as a predator's might after pretending to take a nap so it's prey will gain courage to come ever closer, only to later discover that it was too late. Kagome gulped upon seeing the heatedness of his stare, the small smirk quirked into the corner of his lips, the laziness of his movements.

 

If he hadn't already been constrained…

 

Kagome shook her head quickly to rid herself of her thoughts before facing forward once again. She heard the unmistakable huff of Inuyasha behind her and tried hard not to grin. He was obviously displeased, but Kagome had more important things to think about doing right now, one of which included saving the hanyou's life! She couldn't allow herself to become distracted.

 

“Why have you come here?”

 

Kagome sighed softly before meeting the eyes of her sister. “I have come here to stop what I believe to be an unjust cause.” Seeing Kikyou's eyes narrow slightly, Kagome quickly hurried along. “He doesn't deserve this, Kikyou! He is a living being! Or have you forgotten that?! Oh, wait, maybe you refuse to see it because he's a hanyou!!”

 

Kagome heard someone gasp, but didn't look to see who it had come from.

 

“You are supposed to be a miko, pure in mind and heart,” Kagome admonished softly while continuing. “How can one be pure if one allows a needless death? How can one be pure if feelings of hatred fog clarity and decision-making? Do you refuse to help them because you do not wish to help them, or because you cannot help them? Why is it so hard to give Inuyasha some time?! He still has time, whether you want to believe it or not. Wouldn't it be best for someone to experience a little pain and live, then to give up and die without trying? Why does this have to be so hard?” Kagome demanded, yelling her last question up to the heavens for even the gods to hear.

 

Let them hear, Kagome thought scornfully. They don't seem to be helping! If youkai and humans are able to love and reproduce, then why have the gods made it so hard for them to live in happiness and peace?

 

Coming out of her thoughts, Kagome looked to her sister to silently gauge her reaction and slowly took a step backwards toward the dome that housed Inuyasha.

 

Kikyou…was furious.

 

In slight hysterics, Kagome began to wonder why she felt safer with Inuyasha than she did with her own sister, but decided to ponder that at a later time. For now, Kagome needed a distraction before she lost all of what remained of her courage. Her sister was in need of a little distracting, as well.

 

“Monk, you are the one to add power to my sister's in keeping Inuyasha within the boundaries of purification?” the words left Kagome's lips more harshly than she had planned.

 

The houshi paled slightly, but quickly took a step forward at being addressed. “Yes, miko. I am called Miroku, and I helped to enforce the barrier whenever Kikyou was unable to. You might say this family is…important to me, and I do not wish for anyone to hurt more so than need be at present.” The monk must have easily read the disbelief flashing across Kagome's face because his eyes took on a light of understanding. “You see, young miko, I would consider myself to be friends with Inuyasha, whether he might acknowledge it at times or not, and if I did not reinforce the barrier, he would harm countless people. He would compile all the blame on himself, and I do not want him hurting any more than he already is. Physical pain is something Inuyasha knows how to overcome. Psychological pain, however…is not so easy for him.”

 

The monk stopped there, but he needn't have continued anyway. Kagome understood and sighed softly, casting a quick gaze over her shoulder at the hanyou-turned youkai spread out on the ground behind her, the dome of purification around him casting a pink glow over his tanned skin. Her quick little glance became longer than she anticipated. She still couldn't quite tear her eyes away from his as she once again addressed the monk.

 

“The barrier. I can tell it was placed to keep him in and others out, but why go to such extremes when he is looking for a mate? No youkai would dare to go near him because they would instantly become purified!” Quickly looking the barrier over, Kagome screeched her outward frustration verbally by shouting, “not even a human would be able to get to him! What is the meaning of this? No one is even giving him a chance at the possibility because no hanyou known has lived past their coming of age?! Is that it?”

 

Silence met her angered words, and suddenly Kagome felt chilled to the bones.

 

No…

 

She shook her head, her gaze narrowed in on the other six occupants of the clearing and she slowly backed away from them, her gaze filled with disbelief.

 

They wouldn't…it can't be…

 

“No,” Kagome whispered, hurt etching into her features. She was talking about his parents. A miko who was supposed to help and do everything in her power to make it right again! Even a monk…

 

Am I the only one who believes in him? She asked herself silently. She felt herself closing in on the dome of purified energy and forced herself to stop. She didn't want to imagine what would happen if she came into contact with the barrier! It was one of the strongest she had ever seen or felt. Then again…she supposed it had to be, for these circumstances.

 

“Girl, despite what you may be thinking, your conclusion is incorrect.” The deep, raspy voice could only be Inutaisho's. Kagome's clear-blue eyes met the fatherly figure's deep gold and she recognized the pain and determination she saw there. “I will not give up on my son. Inuyasha will last throughout this season!”

 

Kagome slowly and steadily nodded her head in return, betraying no thoughts from behind her eyelids. Suddenly a small, yet tightly compressed smile crossed her features as she turned once again to the monk. “Miroku, this barrier was created to keep all living things out, and Inuyasha in, am I right?”

 

The man in question suddenly felt very uneasy as he gazed at the girl's expression, contemplating her abrupt change in mood. Finally he decided on offering the young woman a small smile and nodded briefly. Perhaps if he was nice, she would bare his children…

 

“Why yes, young miko. Only for the protection of all parties involved, of course.”

 

When Kagome's smile widened, Miroku felt himself to be in trouble. He quickly looked at those around them, hoping for someone to intervene and help divide some of the young miko's wrath away from himself, but froze upon noticing the narrowed gaze of Kikyou as she closely watched that which was her sister.

 

If Kikyou was suspicious, then Miroku felt he was in for something far more than he had bargained for!

 

Kagome continued with her false charade. “Yet the barrier would have readily accepted my sister's arrow…am I correct?”

 

Miroku paled and visibly gulped. “Why…y-yes, that is correct…” he offered, trying to be helpful while keeping all his body parts intact.

 

Kagome nodded her head once, almost professionally. “Yes, yes, of course. But what would happen if the arrow missed its mark? What if Inutaisho-sama intervened?”

 

Miroku quickly shook his head at that. “The arrow would not miss. For this reason Kikyou-sama made sure the barrier would seal itself so even that of a miko or houshi's powers could not bring down the barrier until…” Mirkou trailed off, and it was then Kagome first realized that the houshi's emotions might not be as stable in this predicament as Kagome first thought. Perhaps Inuyasha did have friends. Or at least, tentative friends…

 

Getting back to business, Kagome didn't try to hide her emotions while saying, “The taijiya. She was hired to take out Inutaisho-sama, wasn't she? He would go into a rage if his son died.” Kagome's eyes narrowly flitted towards her sister's. “You wanted her protection, didn't you Kikyou? In case his powers were even faster or stronger than yours. You wouldn't have been able to draw the bow fast enough to allow two arrows to fly.”

 

Inutaisho's outraged roar and the taijiya's startled gasp were drowned out by Kikyou's vehement shout.

 

“Kagome! I told you to stay out of this!”

 

With a heavy heart, Kagome chose to ignore her sister as her gaze traveled to the youkai exterminator. She met the young woman's eyes for quite a long while, both trying to look into the other's innermost being. Both trying to understand the other.

 

The taijiya spoke first. “You would side with a youkai over the miko who is your sister?”

 

Kagome's solemn stare met that of the dubious exterminator's before answering the question with one of her own. “You would exterminate a youkai whom only wishes to save the life of that of his son?” She paused a moment for her words to slowly sink in, then added, “You seem to accept them enough, judging by that neko youkai guarding your side.”

 

The taijiya flinched, a light flush rushing high enough on her cheekbones for Kagome to witness since the mask obscured much of the young woman's lower face. “Kirara has nothing to do with this, miko! She has been loyal and trustworthy after everything that took place! She deserves her right to stand by my side as family! She's different! This hanyou is a danger to your entire village! Yet you still defend him? He will kill endlessly and needlessly if it weren't for your sister and the houshi, here!”

 

Kagome's throat and chest felt oddly constricting. She focused on her breathing as her gaze remained on the woman before her, neither woman unwavering. Slowly, Kagome shook her head. She was beginning to understand a few of her mother's pitying looks and softly spoken words.

 

“You cannot judge that which has not transpired. It is a thing to be feared, yes. I know Inuyasha himself wondered what his demon would do if he was released. But nothing and no one deserves to be held captive like this! He hasn't hurt anyone in the past, has he?”

 

It was Inuyasha's mother who answered Kagome's inquiry.

 

“He has never…harmed a human,” she began softly, her mellow gaze meeting Kagome's, and Kagome noticed the beginnings of unshed tears in the woman's eyes. “He has always been in control of his inner youkai, up until this point, however. His father and I didn't know what to do—how to act. We knew he had the potential to hurt many others, or he would end up hurting himself. Immobilizing him seemed to be the best option at the time. We thought—we thought a miko's powers would help. Now however, we are beginning to think we made a mistake. We cannot take Inuyasha from here even if we wished it.”

 

Kagome paled. “You…you would take him away from here?” She didn't understand why that didn't sit well with her. Obviously anywhere had to be better for Inuyasha than what he was experiencing now…but it wouldn't solve anything! Inuyasha might end up harming the ones he loved and…and Kagome realized she didn't quite want him to leave her. It left her cold just thinking about it. Cold and…strangely empty.

 

“Of course we would take him from here! This is a disgrace to my son and to my heritage! I am Lord of the Western Lands, and no one—not even a miko—will disgrace this family in such a way! I am beginning to think Inuyasha's youkai form is angered more so in being restrained than it would have been otherwise. The option of taking him from here had merit, but now I fear that if my son became freed, he would go into a rage from being held captive for so long a time. His reasoning and thought processes seem to have left him long ago. His mind is unable to even form coherent sentences, his need to mate and free himself is that strong.”

 

Kagome's features flushed slightly at the reprimand in his voice just as much as from the new images that began to present themselves to her mind's eye, yet her mind began to work at rapid paces as she collected everything she gleaned from this conversation and tried to put them in a coherent order. She rapidly began looking for loopholes—a way to keep Inuyasha by her side—if only for a little while longer. Could she break Kikyou and the houshi's barrier? What would they do if she did? And what about Inutaisho? Surly he would act once the barrier was down. She didn't want to give him a chance to grab Inuyasha and Izayoi and flee, yet at the same time, Inuyasha would still be held captive by the arrow piercing his palms together. Kikyou would surly let her arrow fly once Kagome's concentration was elsewhere, however, and the fight that would ensue would be bloody. Kagome didn't want anyone to get hurt. She wanted them all to come to some sort of an understanding! She wanted—

 

“M-mine!”

 

Kagome jumped slightly at the grumbling coming from behind her form. He had been oddly quiet for the longest time. She wondered what he was doing. He wasn't even fighting his bindings any longer. That caused Kagome to become suspicious if nothing else did!

 

“Mate…”

 

The word was drawn out in a seemingly desperate sigh. Suddenly Kagome felt Inuyasha's aura grow and expand over the area and she gasped. Whirling around, her wide eyes met Inuyasha's clear, half-lidded stare as his aura encompassed her. Shivers raked her spine. Limbs trembled. She found it difficult to breathe, but when her lungs finally found air, it was his essence she brought into her being. Her eyes widened as her mouth dropped open in amazed wonderment. Nerves thrummed within her as her heart pounded hard. Warm tingles cascaded through her veins before a heaviness settled in her belly. Breath uneven, Kagome could only stare into the youkai's deep red orbs that seemed unable to blink back at her. Then his own heat settled over her cloaked skin to settled underneath, sinking into sinewy muscle and bone. The immense heat nearly knocked her to her knees, but Kagome somehow managed to stand even while her body wavered slightly to and fro. A growl left Inuyasha's lips and Kagome had to bite her lower lip to prevent herself from moaning when her lower belly spasmed in response. She closed her eyes against the knowing smirk that ensued, breathing heavily while trying to think through a fog of haze.

 

What is happening to me?

 

Kagome couldn't seem to form any other thoughts, but the hairs that began to stand on end at the back of Kagome's neck slightly brought her mind out of it's daze. Muscles tensing, Kagome quickly glanced over her shoulder to see that Kikyou had stepped quite a few paces to the left and had her bow at the ready and poised to shoot.

 

“Kikyou; No!” Kagome acted with little thought, trusting her instincts and miko ability to guide her. She ran toward Inuyasha, placing herself between him and Kikyou once again while simultaneously blocking the older miko's shot. She then continued running toward the purification barrier that was put up around Inuyasha's form.

 

“Kagome!”

 

The said girl wasn't paying attention. She continued running, closing in on the barrier with every step she took. She reached a hand forward. She was almost there…

 

“Stop! You'll die!” The taijiya's eyes widened in horror. Her body settled into its battle position, hiraikotsu raised over her head, before she realized there was nothing she could do to prevent the younger miko's rash decision.

 

“No! Don't!” The monk ran forward, his staff held at his side as metal rings jingled and clashed together. He knew he would be too late.

 

“Girl…!” Inutaisho's shout was a warning in itself, worry and anger ringing his words as he positively growled.

 

“No…” whispered past Izayoi's lips right as Kagome reached the purification barrier. Still, Kagome pressed on, never pausing despite the respites against her. She felt the barrier press against her hand as they came in contact, a tingling running through her digits and up passed her elbow through the rest of her arm. Still Kagome pressed on, then she was through. Her entire body felt tingly and numb for a moment before slowly easing away. Kagome felt a crack of power as the dome that encased her and Inuyasha gave off more power, then solidified. Kagome quickly added her own powers to the barrier, quickly changing the spell and making it her own. No one or nothing would be able to enter or leave until she decided it was so. She widened the dome slightly to make the area more comfortable, and when she was finished sweat trickled down her brow. Sighing with relief, it was only after she had broken her concentration that she happened to notice the chaos she had caused outside.

 

And the living, breathing youkai who seemed to have become even more excited as he inhaled her scent without the barrier between them. The sounds he was making were enough to cause Kagome's legs to give out from under her. His eyes roved over her form in a completely sexual manner as he snapped at the air, almost as if he was desperate to taste her.

 

“You're not eating me,” she stated bluntly, surprised to find there was strength in her voice when it had seemingly left her body.

 

The youkai's response was to give a choked snarl, jaw opening silently a second time before his lips pulled into a cocky smirk. He again pressed his aura against Kagome's as if it would get her to come to him, and Kagome choked and gasped at the power behind it, falling forward before barely catching herself with extended hands. She heaved for breath, body quivering repeatedly as tingles spread up and over her form repeatedly—almost as if he was caressing her.

 

Okay, Kagome panted to herself, deeply inhaling the scent that was Inuyasha. It was a scent she was thoroughly beginning to enjoy. His aura was stronger that time around! Either that or I can feel more of his energy when it doesn't pass through a purifying barrier…which is probably the case.

 

Lifting her head to stare into Inuyasha's eyes, Kagome mentally groaned to herself.

 

This was sooo not a good idea! Why did I come here again?

 

“Kagome!”

 

Kagome blinked, then looked over toward the figures located just outside of the barrier.

 

“Kagome!”

 

Body still covered in a sheen of sweat, Kagome shakily rose to her feet to gaze out at those around her. “I'm fine!” She sent out to them. “And I'm going to help Inuyasha!”

 

The figures blinked around her, some in confusion, some going pale, and others flushing in what Kagome believed to be embarrassment.

 

“What are you talking about?” Kikyou demanded. “What are you planning, Kagome?!”

 

Shaking her head, Kagome looked out toward the forest, her eyes clouding briefly before coming back into focus. “The village needs you, sister. Youkai are attacking. They are strong and plentiful. Only you can save them.”

 

Kikyou looked slightly taken aback before demanding, “How are you so sure?”

 

Silence met Kikyou's question to the point where none thought Kagome would answer. Then Kagome spoke.

 

“I can sense things now—things I never before realizes. I can sense all the youkai in this area. I can even tell which ones have ill-intent.”

 

Kagome saw her sister's unspoken words by looking into the depths of her eyes.

 

`They are youkai. They all have ill-intent.'

 

That was what Kikyou wished to say, but dared not while in Inutaisho's presence.

 

“Go to them, sister. I will stay here with Inuyasha and try to ease his troubled spirit.” Kagome looked at the hanyou again and noticed a wooden bucket of water with a rag in it by the hanyou's head, along with what appeared to be rabbit meat located adjacently to the water. “I'll even try to see if he'll eat for me.”

 

Kikyou's eyes narrowed to slits, but Kagome felt and saw her sister's aura stretch out toward the village in search of youkai activity. Suddenly Kikyou's eyes widened and she looked at Kagome in shocked disbelief. “You sensed that from here? Without extending your aura?”

 

Kagome didn't comment. She didn't need to.

 

“I will go to them,” Kikyou spoke softly. “Do not to anything rash while I am away, Kagome! Is that understood! Do not go any closer to the halfbreed! He will not hesitate to strike you. It will be your blood he will thirst for, your body he will wish to tear to threads. Do not give him that opportunity!”

 

Kikyou left quickly, much to Kagome's relief. The look of utter hatred and annoyance at her words on the faces of most of those around her made Kagome feel uneasy. When Kikyou was out of hearing distance Kagome turned to the taijiya.

 

“Go with her?” She inquired, voice soft, but hopeful. “There are many this time, and they are powerful. I do not wish for the villagers to suffer.”

 

The taijiya glanced quickly around her before firmly nodding her head. “I will watch over your sister and help protect your village. We will come back later.” The exterminator looked to her shoulder and shouted, “Kirara!” before she hopped onto the neko youkai's back, boomerang bone and all, and both flew over the tops of the trees in the general direction Kikyou had disappeared. Now it was just Kagome, Inuyasha, and those who seemingly cared about Inuyasha's state of health.

 

“This is madness,” the houshi began, running a hand through his dark hair and succeeding in pulling some of the hair out of his low ponytail. “He'll never accept you in youkai form. He'll eat you alive, miko or no. Or do you plan to purify him from there?”

 

Kagome blinked in disbelief at the monk's tirade. “What?”

 

“Just—just take down the barrier now and let us flee from here. We can take care of Inuyasha on our own. We've done it before. Between Inutaisho-sama and me—”

 

Kagome snorted in disgust and threw her hands up into the air, ignoring the interesting sounds behind her as best she could. “You think breaking Inuyasha's bones to immobalize him is good for him?” Kagome demanded, hands now on her hips. “You think it doesn't hurt Inutaisho-sama when he has to exert force on his son and continue to cause him pain? You think it doesn't tear Izayoi-sama apart to hear the anguished sounds spilling forth from her son's mouth? How could you be so…argh!”

 

Miroku held his hands up in defense, opening his mouth to respond only to have Inutaisho beat him to it.

 

“What is it you will do?”

 

The question was surprisingly soft. Kagome released the air from her lungs before turning toward Inutaisho's form.

 

“I won't hurt him, if that's what you're thinking—and I positively refuse to end his life.” Kagome looked back over her shoulder at the hanyou sprawled out on the ground, saw his erection out of the corner of her gaze, and quickly faced forward again. Her eyes wouldn't meet the others' as she spoke to the ground. “I don't know exactly what it is I'll do…but I want to take care of him. I-I want him to be comfortable.” She smiled softly, remembering the gentleness of a human Inuyasha, even while he was trying his best to be rough around the edges. She felt like she knew him; like she understood him. “I don't want Inuyasha to be alone,” she whispered, unsure if any of them heard her.

 

A deep inhale and exhale later, and Inutaisho was ushering his mate and the monk away from Inuyasha and Kagome, leading both of them to their makeshift hut. Both humans seemed to constantly question the great youkai, but he walked away as if he didn't hear them.

 

“We'll return in a short while, miko. You may try to get to know my son while we are away. You must acknowledge that he is youkai, however, and that his mind is mostly gone. Beware him miko—for it is not safe.”

 

Then the three left the clearing, the monk promising that he would be back very shortly indeed, and Kagome began to wonder the reasoning behind the houshi's words. She had a sinking feeling he either felt she wasn't in the least bit safe…which slightly put her on edge, or that something…else…would take place, and for that Kagome blushed and glowered at his hentai ways. She could take care of Inuyasha without having to take care of Inuyasha in that sense, couldn't she?

 

Nodding her head triumphantly, Kagome decided that she could. Turning around, however, caused her to quickly second-guess herself along with her increasingly rash decisions. Inuyasha's form heaved, chest gasping for air and sweat permeating his skin. Strands of his hair and bangs clung to his forehead, neck, and chest. He looked positively feverish as he panted for air. Kagome noticed his nose never stopped working. It seemed he couldn't get enough of her scent. The fuzzy ears located at the top of his head swiveled and perked, trying to catch her every breath and movement. His eyes were everywhere at once, and Kagome suddenly found herself feeling increasingly vulnerable.

 

“Mine…”

 

Kagome's knees trembled. Her mind drifted away for a few moments as she stood there, simply taking everything in. Inuyasha licked his lips as he continued to stare at her, he pulled at his constraints, and fought the binding holding him. He couldn't break free—never would be able to on his own.

 

“Mine…” Inuyasha continued, deep voice growling and snarling as his muscles strained to release him. He fought hard and long, his eyes never once leaving Kagome's and he continued to do everything in his power to get to her. Kagome stood frozen, heart beating rapidly and her befuddled mind tried to piece everything that was happening together. Kagome took a step toward him, then paused, a look of horror quickly spreading over her features. Then her heart twisted at his angered cries, followed by howls of deep-seeded agony.

 

“You shouldn't have to feel this,” Kagome whispered, desperately wanting to cry. A sigh escaped her as she slowly and tentatively neared his form, lowering herself to her knees. “No one should ever have to experience this.”

 

Inuyasha's lip lifted in a snarl. She was taunting him. She was so close, and yet should wouldn't touch him. He couldn't touch her. He pulled at his restraints with renewed vigor, then snarled at the woman for flinching away from him. He growled, snapping at her for giving him false hope. A false sense of security. He bared his fangs at her, but her pitying eyes wouldn't leave his being. He howled, but still she wouldn't leave him. Finally he lay silent, chest heaving as he gazed up at the sky, refusing to meet the miko's pale eyes any longer.

 

“Inuyasha…”

 

Her voice, so soft and feminine. A shudder coursed through him at the sound alone, and he whimpered.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

The said demon's eyes snapped open as he felt something lightly touch the appendage of his left ear. Eyes wide in disbelief and amazement, he quickly sought out the miko's form to see her stretched out above him, a content smile on her face as she lightly ran her fingers along his ear, finally settling at its base to give him a nice, long rub. Inuyasha growled in contentment and partial anger. The bitch hadn't asked for his permission. It felt too good, though, and he didn't want the feeling to stop. She was also a potential mate…

 

The touch of her fingers left his ear and Inuyasha's eyes narrowed in angered displeasure. He acted on instinct and quickly used his youki to lift his head from the earth and snap at the woman's wrist, clamping down with his teeth and tasting blood. He heard her whimper, but ignored it, readjusting his hold on her wrist so his canines protruded around her slender wrist, swiftly encaging it while spilling the least amount of blood. His eyes glared at the miko's in warning before a very hot tongue licked the wound around his teeth's hold. Kagome shuddered, heart beating at new intervals as she tried to calm the fear that had spiked at this new situation.

 

“I-Inuyasha?” She called tentatively, wondering if he might still be able to understand.

 

He slowly turned his head to the left before abruptly tugging on her wrist in the opposite direction, effectively pulling her upper body weight to fall atop of his. Kagome's eyes widened immeasurably as her face closed in toward his, stopping scant inches from his face. Inuyasha's blood-red eyes warmed slightly before he quickly released Kagome's wrist with his teeth and dove in for the kill. His head swept to the side at lightning speed until his sharp teeth closed around the skin at Kagome's neck. Kagome gasped and froze, tremor upon tremor trailing up and down her spine and she clenched her eyes tightly shut.

 

Is this it? She wondered frantically. Am I going to die?

 

The pressure at Kagome's neck was sturdy, breaking the skin only just. Kagome refused to move, not wanted to tear her own throat out by any chance. A deep, rumbling growl began to run through Inuyasha's form, and Kagome once again focused on breathing. It took her a moment to realize that he hadn't killed her yet, but when the realization emerged Kagome was hard pressed not to laugh in exultation. Instead she focused on the tight pressure at her neck, Inuyasha's harsh and heated breathing caressing her skin as he panted for breath below her.

 

“Inuyasha…” she breathed, wincing slightly as the pressure increased and she felt blood begin to trickle down the side of her neck.

 

The pressure slowly released, allowing Kagome to relax for a blink's worth of time before a warm, wet tongue slowly ran along the side of Kagome's neck, caressing her wound and removing any traces of blood. Kagome felt a tingling sensation reach all the way up to her scalp, and she tentatively attempted to rise from her position only to be growled at, teeth firmly clamping down on the flesh between her neck and shoulder to keep her in place once more. Kagome almost sighed in exasperation.

 

“Mine…” Inuyasha repeated around his mouthful of her skin.

 

Even with the garbled word, Kagome deciphered the word. It took her until that moment, however, to fully understand.

 

Oh, dear.

 

With the strength of Inuyasha's aura, Kagome wondered how long she'd be able to hold out.

 

Then, with a dawning of realization, she wondered if she even wanted to.