InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Longest Journey ❯ A Statement of Intent ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 6: A Statement of Intent

The next morning Sugimi noticed that, though they were due for another training session, Kagome had hidden herself away and was still avoiding him, so with a definite sense of amusement, he finally decided to hunt her down and drag her off for his little talk. He smiled - she was obviously innocent, the way she was acting about the whole thing gave it away entirely, and he found he really liked the idea of being her first, because as kami was his witness, he'd definitely be her last.

He would allow no one else to touch her - ever.

He finally tracked her down in one of the most secluded, out of the way gardens on the palace grounds, and he had to chuckle at her attempts to hide - she'd actually done a pretty good job.

Just not good enough.

"Kagome."

He laughed as she 'eeped' and almost fell off the bench she'd been sitting on when she heard his voice, and reluctantly, almost like a pup that knew it was in trouble, she turned, head down, and faced him.

"Yes, Sugimi-sama? Did I forget that it was training time? I'm sorry, my Lord - I'll come right now."

He watched her for a moment... it was obvious from her actions that she was perfectly well aware that she was late. And that she was very unsure of herself and embarrassed.

"Well, that's part of it, my dear. You were supposed to meet me almost half an hour ago. However, that can wait a bit." Moving closer, he said, "I think we need to have a discussion about something else, first." He gestured to the bench behind her. "Come, Kagome, sit. There is no need to be afraid. I will not bite... well, not unless you ask me to, anyway," he said, with a slight smile when he caught her radiant blush.

"Look at me, Kagome." He reached out and lifted her chin with an elegantly clawed finger. "Why are you so embarrassed? Is it because I have been showing interest in you as a male does to an onna he is attracted to?"

He caught her slight gasp, and frowning, waited for her to speak. "I just don't... understand it, my Lord," she mumbled, almost incoherently. "Why me, when you could have anyone you wanted? I'm in no way your equal. You deserve a beautiful woman on your arm - someone worthy - so your pursuit of me makes no sense."

Sugimi had frowned deeper and deeper as she'd spoken, to the point that he was almost scowling by the time she finished.

"Tell me, Kagome, who has convinced you that you are unattractive? Because whoever it was, was lying to you. Badly. You are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen - and in my long lifetime, I've seen quite a few."

He wasn't pleased at her reaction to his words... she was astounded, and he began to realize that whoever it was that had hurt her perceptions of herself, had done a thorough job of it. He was pretty sure he knew who'd done it, too, and when he finally got his hands on the pup, he was going to beat his ass.

Standing, he took her hand and, wrapping it over his arm, began to lead her back inside the palace, heading for her rooms. When he got there, he moved straight into the main room, sliding the door shut behind him, and eyed her apprehensive expression. Taking her and pulling her over to stand in front of the floor length mirror, he continued.

"I want you to look in this mirror and tell me what part of what you see do you think is not lovely? Is it your hair? It is beautiful, the color, the texture, the scent, all divine. And how it waves down your back like a living thing... how is that ugly?"

When she didn't speak, he went on. "Is it your eyes? A blue such as I've never seen, surrounded by thick, curling lashes that every onna would love to have? Perhaps it is your nose, or your pretty pink lips? No?" He moved down. "Is it your body? Because from what I can see, it's perfect. Slender, but with curves in all the right places, lean and strong, but not hard, just the thought of touching your body turns me on so hard it hurts. So, tell me. What part of you do you think is ugly, or undeserving?"

Kagome was speechless. She'd never had a man talk to her that way. Staring at him in the mirror, she managed to dredge up her voice.

"It's not that I think I'm ugly, Sugimi-sama, just... unremarkable. And with as gorgeous as you are..." she trailed off, a hot flush rolling across her face as she realized what she'd said.

He smiled at her, laying his hands on her shoulders, he pulled her back gently against his front, and watched as her eyes widened in shock. Sometimes the best way was to show a person, instead of talk.

Kagome almost choked when he pulled her into his chest - he was extremely aroused, and now she understood perfectly that when he'd said it hurt, he'd meant it. Anything that hard had to hurt after a while. But it was obvious that he wasn't lying to her. For whatever reason, he really was attracted to her.

Swallowing hard, she eased away from him, and walked over to her futon and sat down, trying to gather her composure.

"What do you want from me, Sugimi-sama?" she asked softly. "I'd like it all laid out nice and tidy so I'm not caught off guard."

He smiled, and moving to sit at the bottom of the futon, nodded at her. "That was my intent today. That's really why I came looking for you." He stopped for a moment, and she looked up and met his gaze. "I'm not interested in any kind of temporary attachment, Kagome. Only in eternity. I want you, today, tomorrow, and forever. As my mate, and the mother of my pups, as my everything. Is that clear enough?"

She stared at him, wide-eyed and blushing, for a few minutes. "How can you be so sure? I mean, we've only known each other two weeks!"

Sugimi shook his head. "Sometimes it does not matter, Kagome. Time really is all relative - and you," he said wryly, "should not need me to tell you that. You, of all people should know that already. Tell me honestly, my dear... how do you feel about me right at this moment?"

She blushed again, but spoke. "I'm very, very attracted to you, my Lord, and sometimes, it feels like you were made for me. It's really hard for me to explain it. I just feel - I don't know what to call it. It's just there - but I do know that it's stronger than anything else I've ever felt before."

He smiled with satisfaction. "And do you really think that what you feel now is going to get weaker with time? Or stronger?"

Kagome didn't answer that at first, only stared at him in amazement. She'd never thought of that - but he was right. If she felt this strongly now...

She sighed, dropping her eyes to her hands that were twisting nervously in her lap. "So what now?"

Sugimi sat back and held out his hand. "That depends. Do you accept my courtship?"

She was silent for a minute, then looked up at him and smiled shyly, placing her hand in his. "Yes. I don't pretend to understand what's happening here, but it feels right, and I do not want to leave you."

He grinned, relieved that she'd not fought him more on it. Squeezing her hand gently, he released it, and then spoke again.

"Well, there are some things that I need to explain, then I will give you a courtship mark, so that other males will know to keep their hands off." He gave her a stern look. "If someone else, however, is determined to court you as well, and challenges me, you cannot interfere. Do you understand? If you do, the challenger can take that as permission, and can then take you, whether you want it or not. You must not get involved."

Kagome nodded solemnly. It went against everything she believed in, to let someone fight over her, but that was the way of youkai, and if she was being courted by one, then those rules applied.

"Don't worry. I will not lose the one I've chosen to another - you will be safe."

"Well, what's the rest of the rules, then?"

Sugimi sighed. "It's not so much rules, Kagome, it's just the way things are. There is a basic pattern that all youkai practice when it comes to courting, but each group also has their own ways of doing things, as well. And then there are the differences that are found when the youkai male in question already has one mate, and is courting another." He caught her horrified look. "Some do take as many as two mates, however, it isn't common, love, and I am not one of those who feel the need to do so."

He waited as she processed his words. He had considered telling her of Midoriko, and her words - that they were soul-mates, but he didn't feel that now was the time. Maybe in a few weeks when she'd become closer, and more tied to him, but he was sure that right now, as apprehensive as she already was, that knowledge would just cause her to run. For now, she'd just have to deal with his assurances that he'd not take more than one mate.

"But how can you be sure, Sugimi-sama? You might meet a woman and fall for her someday - I'd not want to be the one holding you back," she said, sadly, the obvious, though unspoken, thought in her mind of Inuyasha and his mate.

"Oh, you mean, like I'm falling for you?" He snorted. "Do not be concerned about that, Kagome. This Inu only wants one female - and I'm old enough to know my own mind in these matters. I am no young pup to fall in and out of love every year or two."

She giggled a bit at the imagery provided in his statement, although she still felt a bit apprehensive - she just didn't believe she would be able to hold his attention... but time would tell, and she'd already agreed to let him court her... and wait a minute, was he trying to tell her he was falling in love with her? Surely not!

She looked up at him, a bit wide-eyed at that thought, and he smiled encouragingly down at her. "If you have any questions, migoto, please, ask."

A pleased yet embarrassed flush washed across her cheeks at the endearment, and she dropped her gaze. "No, not yet. Please, continue. I don't want to mess things up because I didn't know how these courtships go."

He laughed. "Don't worry, my dear. Just a couple of things, really. Inu's tend to get extremely possessive. I guess you could say we get jealous easily - we don't like the scent of other males on our females - only our own, so you'll have to avoid contact with males that are not family, as in, a brother, father, or son, so to speak. Your own, not mine. I would still not be comfortable with either of my son's scents on you. It would be different if you had raised them, but as it is..." he trailed off.

"Well, let's just say it would not please me, especailly as both my sons are well past an age to take a mate. And even more so with my youngest because of your past with Inuyasha."

Kagome nodded, she could see where that would be a problem. "Anything else, Sugimi-sama?"

"Please, Kagome. I am courting you - the name is Sugimi. Drop the 'sama', I am not comfortable with it now, coming from you." As she nodded again, he continued. "The other thing, you might not like so much. Inu are also very overprotective of their mates, and potential mates. It's an instinct, love, I wouldn't be doing it to irritate you. I literally just won't be able to stop myself."

Kagome sighed, not really surprised. Inuyasha had always been over the top with his possessive and protective instincts, and he was only half inu-youkai. This part of things might take a bit of getting used to - it was just fortunate that she really did like a more dominant male... as long as he was respectful of her and realized that she didn't need him. In fact, she'd better let him know before he marked her...

"Okay, I understand that, and I'll try to deal with it - but there's a few things about me that you need to know. First," she eyeballed him seriously, "I am not made of glass. As I've already proved by being on my own this last almost eleven months, I can take care of myself quite well. I do not need a male in my life. I might want one, but those are two entirely different things, as I'm sure you know."

He nodded, actually proud that his soul-mate was so strong. That didn't mean that he wouldn't try to protect her, however.

"Good. Second, while I am in no way submissive, as I'm sure you've noticed, I will, mostly, submit to a mate... but no other. I like a male that can protect me, I just don't need it - but," here she blushed a deep rose, "I will admit that the thought of a dominant mate, in the bed, is a turn on," she finished, almost in a whisper.

Sugimi laughed, and scooting closer to her, pulled her into his arms. She didn't resist, he was pleased to see, and her arousal soared almost the moment he touched her. That's a good thing... since she has the same effect on me.

"I understand, Kagome, and you are in luck. Inu's are very dominant in the bedroom, never fear. So... if that is all...?"

She nodded shyly.

Then, if you are agreeable, I will place my courting mark now." He tilted his head questioningly.

"Yes. I'm ready. Will it hurt?"

"No, migoto, it will not."

"Okay. What do I do?"

"Just tilt your head to the side, and pull your hair from your shoulder, that's all."

Kagome did as he instructed, and closing her eyes, waited for whatever was about to happen. She still couldn't believe that this god of a male wanted her, but she wasn't about to fight it.

Sugimi sucked in a breath... the sight of her, submitting herself to him, was almost more than he could bear. His whole body hurt at the sudden surge in his arousal, every muscle tight and drawn. This was killing him - he wished it was a mating mark he was about to leave instead of just a courting mark.

Leaning his head down, he nuzzled into her shoulder, trailing his lips from there up to the crook of her neck, and dragging the tip of one fang along the flesh. It left a barely discernable red mark that was infused with some of his pheromones, telling anyone with a nose that she was his. The red mark would become a tiny, jagged blue mark, like a streak of lightening, to mimic the crests on his cheeks. That would tell those with no real sense of smell that she was his.

Taking one last deep breath, and pulling in as much of her scent as possible, he felt a surge of pleasure when their combined scents hit his sensitive nose, and with a faint, possessive growl, he sat back and looked at her.

She was flushed, eyes half-closed in what he could see was pleasure, aroused and panting slightly. The vision was intoxicating.

If this is the way we both react just over this much contact...

Our mating will be paradise. I cannot wait for the moment she becomes mine...

Rubbing his thumb over the new mark on her neck, he smiled.

"This is my statement of intent, Kagome. You will be mine... and I will be yours, and woe to anyone who tries to come between me and what is mine."