Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bane of Existence/Love of A Lifetime ❯ Chapter Fifteen ( Chapter 15 )

Everyone in the study froze at the sound, concern lapping at their minds. They all well knew the sound of Kagome's voice and that had certainly been her. It was well known that although the miko could possess beautiful grace, she also had her moments of being rather klutzy. Unconsciously, the demons had stood from their sitting positions and their ears and noses twitched madly, trying to discern if Kagome was indeed in trouble or had merely tumbled out of bed or something of the sort.

 

The shattering of glass had concerned them too, but they were all easily able to blame that on her casual clumsiness as well as the sound of pain. After all, Rin had brought a vase of flowers to the miko's room to help cheer her up. Shippou had resumed his seat on the floor and continued coloring as the three elder youkai continued to stand and sniff at the air.

 

Soon, low growls came from three different throats as the scent of abject terror and blood hit their noses. Before anyone could say a word, the three became a blur of silver, white and black as they raced down the winding halls of the intricate castle. No sooner had they left the study and they found themselves at the entrance to the miko's room. Without a thought, Sesshoumaru flung the door wide and the three youkai pushed through the doorway.

 

Bits of broken glass lay in a sporadic pattern near the shattered window and Kagome was nowhere to be found. Sniffing the air in the room brought low and dangerous growls from the demons as they neared the window and looked out. The remains of the window littered the soft grass and blood was clinging to shards and leading away from the castle. The scent of her terror was so thick in the air it could nearly be tasted and the growls from the kitsune and the mazaku increased greatly when the smell of an unknown demon tickled their noses.

 

Yusuke rounded on Sesshoumaru, his eyes glinting golden and faint outlines of markings flashing against his cheeks. “Who the fuck was in here?! I thought nobody was supposed to know she was here!”

 

A deadly growl of his own escaped the confines of his throat as Sesshoumaru surveyed the area. “One of the lower ranking warriors of my army. I know not how he came upon the knowledge that Kagome was here. He must have seen us return with her.”

 

Without another word, three powerful youkai were through the window and following a trail of blood, tears and fear.

 

~*~

 

“Kagome is that you?”

 

She recognized the voice all too well. He was the last person she had expected to find her, if anyone and the concern in his voice made her cringe inside. No one should worry about her; she didn't deserve it. Another whimper escaped her dry lips and she was only mildly surprised that no more tears came. Apparently, she had cried them all away.

 

“Kagome please talk to me! What happened? Where's the mutt?”

 

Taking in as deep a breath as she was able around the tightness in her throat, Kagome lifted her stained and bruised face to land on the worried visage of the wolf prince.

 

“K-kouga…I'm so sorry. Kami Kouga I am so, so sorry.” Her words came out in a harsh whisper but he heard them all the same. Taking another tentative step towards her, he watched her eyes. When she made no move to up and run off, he closed the distance between them and knelt down in front of her. Although his hands itched to wrap her up in his arms and make everything better, he restrained.

 

Regarding how beaten down and torn apart the young priestess was with crystal blue eyes, he questioned her. “Sorry for what Kagome? By the looks of you, you don't have anything to apologize for.”

 

Apparently, she had been wrong about her tears.

 

“I'm j-just so…so worthless! This is all my fault…everything is all my fault. I shouldn't be here Kouga. I should never have even been pulled into this era!” A forceful flow of tears streamed down her cheeks and splattered carelessly onto her lap as she bowed her head.

 

“It's all my fault and you all should hate me. If I never would've been brought here so many things would be better. That stupid jewel only returned because of me and it has brought nothing but heartache to everyone I have come to care about. It's my fault your kin were slaughtered; it's my fault Shippou's parents died; it's my fault that Naraku is able to control poor Kohaku and torture Sango; it's my fault Sesshoumaru's arm is missing and it is my fault that Inuyasha is tormented by the walking dead of his only love.”

 

Her voice had been steadily rising in her guilty and misplaced tirade and now it fell to a soft and low octave, forcing a shocked Kouga to strain in order to hear her words.

 

“I shouldn't be here. I brought some friends with me from my time and they were smart enough to abandon me…just like Inuyasha did. Only now, I don't know where Shippou is and…I'm just so tired. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore.” Her face lifted once more and Kouga's eyes widened at the stormy quality of the miko's eyes. They were writhing and tumultuous in her grief and awash in salty tears.

 

“Kouga…please…if you ever really cared about me at all…take me to the well…let me go home…then destroy it. I am not supposed to be here…”

 

The wolf prince couldn't believe his pointed ears. What in Kami's name happened to the bright, energetic, beautiful Kagome he had fallen for? Who was this broken and tragic beauty that sounded as if she wished for her own death?

 

“Please Kagome…tell me what happened! Why are you so far out in the middle of nowhere all alone?” Kouga was truly worried now. He had been concerned before but Kagome seemed hysterical now and he knew something horrible had to have happened. He couldn't smell her friends on her, hell he couldn't smell anything but fear and blood!

 

A noise sounded from just behind Kagome and Kouga jumped up and into a defensive stance. He had been so busy trying to figure out what was wrong with the first woman he'd ever loved that he had lost track of his surroundings. Now he could only pray it wouldn't cost him his life or that of his dearest friend. Yes he still loved her but he had come to realize that she couldn't love him the way he wanted her to and had left her be, swearing to be the best friend he could to her.

 

The bushes just behind Kagome rustled loudly seconds before a boar youkai emerged, his black eyes locked on the miko's shivering frame. Kouga moved around behind his traumatized friend, eating up the space between her and the unknown demon. He bared his fangs and flexed his claws before snarling, “What business do you have here?”

 

The youkai gave the ookami a quick tempered glare before growling, “That wench is my business! She has sullied the royal wing of milord's' castle with her human filth and I intend to assure she can never do it again.”

 

Growling dangerously and snapping his jaws at the foolish boar who dared to insult the woman he held closest to his heart, Kouga spoke “Who is your lord and why would he have you kill her?”

 

Slowly, the demon's ugly face split into a malicious grin. “It's my own decision to kill the wretch. She should have felt blessed to be used by milord and then been on her way. Since she decided to stay around well after the sun arose, I decided to clean her up myself. Now, outta my way wolf…I have a human to enjoy.”

 

That was the straw that broke the ookami's back. His growling increased in volume until it was very nearly shaking the ground beneath his feet and his crystal blue eyes flashed crimson. “You won't lay a hand on her as long as I breathe. Now, who is your lord so I may send my condolences for killing one of his soldiers?”

 

Cruel, cold laughter left the beast's throat and his eyes gleamed triumphantly. “You'll not kill me mange. The great Taiyoukai of the Western Lands, Lord Sesshoumaru is my lord.”

 

“Was your lord, you filth.” A smooth, cold voice rang through the clearing from behind Kouga as Sesshoumaru stepped from the foliage in all his pristine glory.

 

The wolf prince whirled on the inu youkai, his eyes blazing in his ire. “What kind of people do you employ Sesshoumaru?! How could let him hurt Kagome?”

 

The Western Lord cast a critical glance over the shaking form of the miko and crimson bled into the whites of his eyes. She looked even worse then he had thought she would and he could smell her blood and tears thick in the area. Ignoring Kouga in favor of pinning the boar with his steely gaze, he spoke in frigid tones. “You would dare to harm a guest of This Sesshoumaru? You would dare to raise your claws to the Shikon Miko?”

 

The boar stuttered and grappled furiously for something to say in light of the turn in events but before he could even utter a reply, he found himself being held in the air by a very pissed off Taiyoukai, his long, pale fingers digging into his neck. “You have insulted my honor by insinuating I would simply use a woman, you have caused harm to befall one of my most honored guests and allies and you have insulted her very being. I will have your head.”

 

Black, beady eyes bulged in terror as his lords' words rang in his head. Just as he opened his mouth to offer some sort of an apology, he felt Sesshoumaru's claws lengthen and the smell of his Dokkasou tinted the air.

 

A pile of indistinguishable goo was all that remained of the soldier.

 

Yusuke and Kurama crashed through the tree lines seconds after the boar's death and were assaulted by the combined scents of deadly poison, blood, death and tears. Yusuke quickly scanned the area and found Kagome's broken and bleeding form crumpled on the ground. Without a word or a glance at anyone other than the miko, the detective stormed forward and scooped her off the ground, mindful of her injuries.

 

Once she was securely cradled against his chest, he lifted a hand to her face to brush back her tangled raven hair and tenderly cupped her cheek. “Kagome? Kagome look at me.”

 

Kagome wasn't sure what was going on. She had heard Kouga talking to whatever soldier it was that had followed her, then she heard Sesshoumaru's voice and soon she was being held gently by warm arms. A hand on her face and a soft voice coaxed her to lift her head and she looked straight into the worried eyes of Yusuke.

 

“Y-yusuke? How? Why?” Her eyes welled with tears in relief and sorrow. She was so happy that he was okay but where had he been? Why had no one been with her when she woke up? Hadn't he left her?

 

Her body was soon hugged to his, her head nestled in the crook of his shoulder as he whispered into her hair. “Kami Kagome. I am so sorry. Sesshoumaru showed up at the well after you passed out and he took us all to his castle. He had placed a barrier around your room so no one would know you were there…we were trying to protect you and let you sleep. Somehow, that bastard boar knew you were there.”

 

“You…you didn't…abandon me?” She whispered brokenly against his neck as her tears slowly slid from her cheeks to his shoulder.

 

Confusion and alarm settled into the detectives chocolate eyes as she abruptly fell asleep before he could answer. Did she really think he would just up and leave her? Of course she did. Not for anything he had done but simply because Inuyasha had and she had known the hanyou for years. He couldn't blame her for feeling that way though; there were plenty of times where he had felt himself growing afraid of her rejection simply because Keiko had done the same to him.

 

Hugging her small, lithe frame tighter against his, Yusuke whispered into her hair a soft “Never”. Looking up from the woman who had someone managed to claim his heart, his warm brown eyes caught on those of gold, emerald and icy blue. “What do we do now?”

 

All eyes instantly turned to Sesshoumaru. Yusuke, Kurama and Kagome all had their things - not to mention Shippou - still at his castle and if they weren't going there, the only other option at that point in time was back through the well. They knew Kagome wanted to visit her other friends, but seeing as how they hadn't met, neither detective was in a hurry to try and explain everything.

 

“Back to my castle. The miko needs her rest.” He stated in cool tones before turning his gaze to the wolf, “You are welcome to join us as well Lord Kouga.”

 

Said wolf shrugged his shoulders noncommittally, “Fine by me. I go where Kagome needs me. If she is going to your fortress, I am coming. I want to know what's going on.”

 

A slight incline of the inu's royal head was his only confirmation before Sesshoumaru turned his focus back to the miko and her new companions. “I will take Kagome. I can travel faster than the rest of you and can have her settled and a healer seeing to her wounds by the time you get to the palace.”

 

Golden eyes narrowed slightly on the raven-haired young man as he clutched the priestess closer to his body. Yusuke had just gotten her back and while he trusted the inuyoukai he wasn't ready to give Kagome up just yet. A firm hand on his shoulder startled him from his stare down with the Western Lord and Yusuke turned his gaze slightly to land on that of his long-time friend.

 

“Yusuke,” Kurama said in his cool and calm voice, “I know you don't want to be away from Kagome, neither do I, but she needs medical attention. Lord Sesshoumaru can reach his castle with her faster than we can. You know that.”

 

With a heavy hearted sigh, Yusuke nodded his head and walked towards the pristine demon. Meeting that cold, golden gaze head on, the detective spoke, “Take care of her.”

 

A barely perceptible nod was his answer as the tiny miko was taken from the safety of his arms. A strange feeling welled in his chest when Yusuke watched Sesshoumaru wrap his arm tightly around the small miko before forming into a bright ball of energy and streaking off into the forest.

 

He didn't want Kagome in anyone's arms but his.

 

Well…his and Kurama's…if that was Kagome's choice.

 

Determined not to let the Demon Lord beat them by much, the detective turned on his partner and the ookami prince. “Well let's get going! I don't want her out of my site for longer than she has to be.”

 

That said, Yusuke turned and darted into the shrubbery, eager to get away from the clearing and back to Kagome. The rapid footfalls on either side of him were the only proof of the other two joining him.

 

~*~

 

The three arrived at the Western Palace a short time later and Kouga was immediately sequestered away to a room as a guest lord. Kurama made his way back to the study for Shippou and Yusuke wasted no time in tracking down Kagome. He found her in the room located between his and Kurama's and just down the hall from Sesshoumaru's.

Said Taiyoukai was standing just inside the doorway watching Kagome sleep when Yusuke came up behind him. “Is she okay?”

 

Motioning with his regal head towards the hallway, Sesshoumaru turned from the slumbering girl and leaned against the wall opposite her door. “She sleeps for now. The healer has seen to her and there was no major damage done.”

 

The detective nodded his head, showing he understood while his eyes remained trained on the miko. He could feel Kurama and Kouga approaching them and when Sesshoumaru stiffened to a standing position, he walked quietly towards her door and pulled it closed.

 

Without a word, the four youkai made their way back to the large study, Kurama explaining in hushed tones that he had sent Rin and Shippou both to the girls' room where the two planned to draw pictures for Kagome. Once they arrived at their destination, the inu took his place at his desk while the others occupied the cushions on the floor in front of him.

 

Pinning his golden gaze on the two time travelers, he spoke “I believe it would be wise for the two of you to transform into your demon personas. This is a time where being a demon will prove to be in your best interests and it will assure Kagome's protection.”

 

Kurama needed no further coaxing, as Youko had been clambering to surface since the stepped foot into the past. In actuality, Kurama was completely fine with the idea because he had already spent time both with Kagome and in the clean air of the past and thought that only good things would come from his time on the back burner.

 

With a nod of his head, he turned his attention inward and soon his form began to flicker; blood red locks lengthened and straightened while turning the color of starlight and emerald green eyes soon burned amber. Two proud, silver ears formed on the top of his head and a silky silver tail grew from the base of his spine. Soon, the seven foot silver kitsune stood before the other youkai in all his proud glory.

 

“Good gods! You're a silver fox? You're even taller than Sesshoumaru!” Kouga exclaimed, completely taken by surprise. It wasn't as if he hadn't seen one before but they had become hunted and the ones that were left had supposedly gone into hiding.

 

The now-larger-than-Sesshoumaru youkai nodded his head, his tail swishing madly behind him. “Youko Kurama my lords,” he spoke with a warm, seductive voice as he bowed slightly to the two Taiyoukai.

 

Sesshoumaru raised a delicate eyebrow at the ookami prince before settling his gaze on the still very human detective. Yusuke shifted nervously in his seat under the stares of the three demons. “Yusuke it would be for the best.” Youko's voice sounded from next to him.

 

He sighed, “I know…I'm just not sure.”

 

Kouga looked at him oddly for a moment before giving in to the urge to question. “What do you mean you aren't sure? Sure about what? Don't you want to feel the power of your demon form while you can? Don't you want to be able to better protect Kagome?”

 

Dragging a hand through his dark hair in an obvious sign of frustration, Yusuke very nearly growled. “Damnit! I want to protect Kagome any way I can…but…” he trailed off there, looking at Youko with a lost expression, “What will she say?”

 

Before Youko could answer, Kouga chimed in. “Kagome? Are you kidding? In case you haven't noticed that woman seems to like the company of demons over humans. I'm sure you must've had some bad experience somewhere a long the line from being youkai but trust me, blood doesn't matter to her. In fact,” he turned his gaze onto the silver fox and smirked, “I am sure you will be accosted as soon as she is coherent.”

 

Youko regarded the brash and honorable wolf with a questioning look, while arching one delicate silvery brow, “And why would she do that?”

 

The wolf broke out into laughter and even Sesshoumaru hid a chuckle behind a clawed fist before answering. “The miko seems to have a…infatuation…with youkai appendages and seeing as how you have ears and a tail, I am sure she will be delighted.”

 

The kitsune was still slightly unsure about their topic of conversation and as soon as the wolf had his laughter under control he took over the explanation. “Seriously, she mauls the lot of us all the time. She has even convinced me to let her braid my tail before and I have seen her pet Sesshoumaru's a time or two as well.”

 

Warm, soothing laughter soon bubbled from the kitsune's chest to join with that of the wolf. Yusuke only shook his head at their antics before closing his eyes and focusing on his power with a mental shrug. They had known Kagome longer and if they said she wouldn't mind him as a demon, then he would at least give it a chance. While he knew damn good and well that she really didn't have a problem with youkai, he was still as unsure about her as she was about him.

 

He felt his youki wrap around him in a calming embrace, seemingly happy to be free, before flowing outward. Vaguely, he was aware of the sudden quietness of the room but continued to let his demon aura out. He could feel his hair gaining weight and growing until it nearly hit his knees and his skin tingled where the markings of his demon heritage would show.

 

Once he was satisfied with his transformation, Yusuke opened his now golden eyes to find two slightly stunned Taiyoukai's staring at him. “What?” he barked, irritated by the attention. All he wanted to do was go back to Kagome and make sure she didn't wake up alone and scared again.

 

Sesshoumaru was the first to contain his shock and perused the changed form of the previously human male. Kouga blinked once, then twice before blurting out, “You're…you're a battle demon?! Damn that girl makes some strong friends!”

 

Youko laughed at the sudden exclamation of the wolf and at Yusuke's disgruntled look. While Kouga was gaping at the detective like a fish out of water, Sesshoumaru seemed to be regarding him with something akin to respect glittering in his eyes. Suddenly, the silence was broken by a snickering ookami.

 

The Western Taiyoukai looked at the wolf with a raised brow, “What is so funny this time wolf?”

 

Kouga looked at the three demons before him with a cocky grin spread across his lips, “Well now that all three of you have white or silver hair and golden eyes, I stand out more! Maybe Kagome likes tall, DARK and handsome more than tall, LIGHT and handsome, ne?”

 

Twin growls erupted from the Toushin and the kitsune while the inu looked at the ookami as though he'd lost his mind. Kouga was nearly rolling on the floor with laughter at the reactions he was able to bring out in the two demons while inside, he was pleased. He knew he never had a chance at a relationship with the beautiful miko as anything other than friends and he was happy that the two newcomers were so quick to protect her.

 

Deciding that he rather liked his head on his shoulders, he quieted his laughter and raised a placating hand in front of him, “Calm down already! I was just joking. I know Kagome doesn't love me that way…”

 

The dark and dangerous growling stopped immediately as the two sensed the sadness that had suddenly wound itself around the wolf prince. It was apparent to them that he truly loved Kagome and they felt a twinge of remorse for the wolf's luck.

 

Stepping up to the now somber youkai, Youko placed a strong hand on his shoulder, “I know that Kagome loves you Kouga, even if as just a friend. Don't take that lightly. From what I know of her, she would risk everything she is to protect anyone she cares for. I assure you that both Yusuke and I appreciate your care for her.”

 

A grateful smile crept across the wolf's lips, “Thanks fox. Just promise me you'll take care of her? There are creatures in this era that lust for her death and she has a habit of finding trouble. Hell, I don't even know if she's kept track of how many times she has been kidnapped.”

 

Nodding his head in acquiesce the silver kitsune turned his attention back to Yusuke, “I think I am going to go and find Shippou. I might as well start training him now. I think Kagome will need a few days to recover.” He turned his attention back to Sesshoumaru, “Would you mind our staying here a little longer? If we are a bother we can easily return to our time until she is healed.”

 

Sesshoumaru inclined his head slightly at the fox, “I insist you remain. Kagome is the first…friend…I have ever really had and it would do me well to know she is completely well before she starts her quest again.”

 

Bowing in respect to both Demon Lord's, Youko turned back to the detective. “Maybe you should head up to check on Kagome? I don't know how long she will sleep but I don't think any of us want a repeat of today.”

 

Yusuke nodded his head in an almost absentminded fashion before turning to regard Sesshoumaru, “Thanks for letting us stay here. I am sure Kagome will appreciate it.”

 

With a bow of his own, he followed the fox out of the room and into the hall. Youko left the detective with a slight nod of his head and turned to find the young kitsune while Yusuke turned the opposite direction, en route to Kagome.

 

Soon he found himself in front of her door and with a deep breath, steeled himself for what he was going to do. Truth be told, the brash young detective was nervous. He had faced countless demons, taken the throne as the third king of Makai and had even died twice and he was scared beyond belief in the face of a tiny human miko's opinion. He was sure Hiei would have laughed at him.

 

Knocking softly on the door, he called her name and waited for an answer. When none came, he pushed on the heavy wood and let the door swing open silently. Stepping inside the dark and quiet room, he closed the door behind him and made his way over to the bed. Once there, he looked down on the miko with warm golden eyes and a slight smile tilting his lips.

 

She looked absolutely beautiful. Instead of the white bed dressings of before, she was wrapped in silken sheets of silver and blue and where the blankets had fallen away he could see she was dressed in a black sleeping yukata. Her long, dark locks fell around her neck and shoulders while she lay on her side, curled slightly into a ball with one hand tucked under her chin and the other gripping a pillow to her chest.

 

A frown marred his brow at the amount of damage done to her porcelain skin as his eyes caught on various cuts and bruises that marred her arms. Moving a chair over to her bedside, he sat as close to her as he could before reaching out to tuck a stray tendril of hair behind her ear and gently caressing her cheek before moving his hand back to his lap. She smiled softly in her sleep and Yusuke felt warmth spread in his heart by just looking at her.

 

It had only been a half an hour since he arrived in her room when she stirred slightly and whimpered, her eyes clenching tightly and her heart rate speeding up. Yusuke rose from his chair and took a seat on the bed next to the miko before taking her hand up in his and rubbing his fingers over her knuckles.

 

“Kagome…Kagome its okay. You're safe.” The Toushin spoke in gentle, warm tones wanting only to coax her from her nightmare and reassure her that she wasn't in danger.

 

Pale, alabaster eyelids fluttered slightly at hearing his voice and soon they opened slowly, revealing exhausted and somewhat haunted blue-grey eyes. At seeing the demon sitting on her bed, Kagome tensed suddenly in apprehension and closed her eyes. The hand wrapped around hers never stilled in its comforting motions and the youkai watched her with gentle amber eyes. Remembering that she had been found in the forest by Kouga and eventually Sesshoumaru, Yusuke and Kurama, Kagome calmed some and took a deep, steadying breath.

 

Once her nerves were settled somewhat, Kagome opened her eyes to better look at exactly who it was that was acting so familiarly with her. As she gazed into his eyes, she realized that they seemed familiar somehow, though she was sure she had never before met a demon that looked as this one did. Releasing the hold on her aura slightly, she tested the air around him and came to the shocking conclusion that she did indeed know him.

 

Sitting up straight in bed and letting the covers fall and pool around her waist, Kagome lifted one small hand to trace the patterns of dark blue along his cheeks. Looking into his glowing golden eyes, she smiled. “Yusuke?”

 

Said Toushin had been raging in trepidation inside when the beauty before him tensed and had been tempted to spring away from the bed and run away. He caught the slight scent of her fear and he felt guilty for scaring her and was mentally making a list of how many ways he could pay back a certain three demons for convincing him to do this when he caught her smile. Hearing his name upon her sweet lips forced the breath he had been holding from his lungs.

 

A light blush stained his cheeks and he returned the smile, “Hey Kagome.”

 

Before he could blink or even think about saying another word, the miko had launched herself into against his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso and hugging him for all she was worth. He didn't even hesitate to return the embrace and as he tightened his grip upon her lithe frame, she leaned forward and arranged herself in his lap, her arms still tightly around his upper body and her face buried into his neck.

 

“Thank you,” she whispered against his neck, the warmth of her breath sending shivers down his spine, “I thought I would wake up alone again.”

 

His arms tightened around her for a second before he responded, “I didn't want you to be afraid when you woke up. I wasn't even sure I should be in here, especially looking like I do, but I knew you wouldn't want to be alone and Kurama is busy with Shippou.”

 

A sigh escaped her soft lips and blew gently across the hair at the nape of his neck, causing him to shiver again slightly and sending warmth throughout his body to settle in his groin.

 

“I think you look perfect. I really like the hair.” Her hands twisted into his long unruly hair and gave it an affectionate tug.

 

Yusuke leaned his head to the side and nuzzled her cheek with his while moving one of his hands up to sift through her blue-black locks, “The same goes for you. You really are the most perfect woman I have ever met.”

 

A startled gasp met his ears and Kagome wiggled herself out of his embrace enough to look up at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. “Me? I-I'm not perfect…not even close. I am clumsy and I get kidnapped all the time and I wear my heart on my sleeve…”

 

If possible, her eyes widened further as she felt warm lips press against her own in a feather soft touch before drifting away. When those soft, gentle lips were back against hers, her eyelids slid closed in pleasure and happiness as she tentatively returned the kiss. The reaction from Yusuke was immediate as he drew her closer against him with a pleased growl that tingled across her lips and rumbled sensually against her chest.

 

His hand moved up to the back of her neck where he threaded his fingers through her hair and tilted her head slightly to deepen the kiss. When she made no protest or move to disengage their liplock, Yusuke ran his tongue across the seam of their sealed flesh in silent request. She hesitated for a moment and just as he was about to pull away, Kagome parted her lips slightly to grant him access. All thoughts of anyone other than the handsome demon holding her faded away in his embrace and Kagome let herself fall into the feelings he invoked in her.

 

As soon as he swept his tongue into her mouth, Yusuke's world tilted and became hazy. Kami she tasted even better than he had imagined her to! In slow, delicious movements, his tongue caressed the moist haven of her mouth, gliding across her teeth and tangling with her tongue, enticing it to play. He had to hold back a groan when she accepted the invitation and tentatively raised her tongue to meet his. They dueled for a moment, before they broke away, both gasping for air as color raised high on their cheeks.

 

They leaned into one another, their foreheads touching as they regained their breath and settled their bodies. Kagome had never in a million years imagined that anything could feel as wonderful as that had. It was just a kiss but it had completely upended her world. Aside from it being the only real kiss she had ever had, it had been mind-blowing and she was thankful she was sitting, for she knew if she had been standing, she would've collapsed.

 

Her body raged with unknown sensations and she trembled slightly when the stray thought of those maddening lips of his running fiery paths all over her body crossed her mind. Sucking in a deep lungful of air, she leaned away from him and locked her eyes with his when he raised his head. Although she hated to destroy such a perfect moment, she had to know what he thought about the situation.

 

Apparently, Yusuke could read the questions in her eyes because he smiled warmly at her and raised a hand to caress her cheek lovingly, letting his fingertips dance across her kiss-swollen lips. “That was the most amazing kiss I've ever had.” He said in a low, husky voice that instantly turned Kagome's legs to jelly.

 

Catching his lowering hand in hers, the miko brought it to her lips and pressed a soft kiss to his palm, “Thank you.”

 

~*~