By the way, This is a sequel to "Running In Circles Without You". If you have not read that fanfic, please do so before reading this one. Otherwise, it won't make any sense...at all. Thanks! Happy reading!

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Passionate Temptations

By "The Famous Crimson Beauty"

(A sequel)

Chapter 1

I can't do this

Too hard…

His breath was quickening by the moment. His long nails scraped the unfurnished wood floors. His heart pounded painfully against his ribs, amber eyes moving frantically around the hut. It was so dark in here without her bright hazel eyes to lighten the room. It smelled so stale without her heavenly scent of Sakura petals and strawberries. How long had she been gone now? It couldn't be longer than a day or two and, already, he was falling to pieces. Not being able to feel her lips or hold her tightly in his embrace was enough, being alive without her at all was just pure torture.

Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, shoulders hunched and aching from the position. He threw himself back, listening to the satisfying thud of his tense muscled back hitting the thin wooden wall. Pain always drained away his thoughts of her, always filled his senses with that powerful stinging. It was so good to have his mind clear within that slim moment of fiery pain.

Sometimes he threw things, broke things, screamed things into the cold night air when he knew she couldn't hear. It was so hard to just stand aside and watch other men come around her, touch her, make her smile like he used to. That damn Kouga…and Hojou. He could only watch as they whispered little things in her ear, slid their greedy hands over her pale flesh. He wanted to gag.

The soft scuffling footsteps of another couple snapped him from his thoughts. Angry golden eyes flashed to the doorway as a female hand guided aside the stiff bamboo weaving. He took a breath of the air to take in two different scents. How could he have been so stupid to think it would have been his Kagome. No…Sango slowly stepped through the doorway, Miroku close at her tail.

"Where've you two been?" He demanded eagerly, clawed hands clenching at his own knees. He was hunching forward again, fangs bared to the two sneaky ones. They, too, had broken it off, or supposed to have. It was hard to believe the two were being modest and keeping their hands to themselves when they came back from the woods on a little trip to get some 'firewood'.

"We-" Sango started to explain.

"It doesn't take that long to find a couple of lousy sticks! And you didn't even come back with any!" Inuyasha accused, eyeing them carefully with irritable eyes.

The monk and slayer noticed it. They all noticed it. How the hanyou had become so much more testy, how he could snap at any little thing. He was either angry or solemn and silent. One or the other. Happiness was never an option these days. Not unless Kagome was with him, talking sweetly, their skin in contact.

"It's rainy, Inuyasha. All the wood was damp. We kept searching but there were none that weren't already really wet." Miroku finished for Sango after Inuyasha stopped ranting. He reached forward a sneaky hand to stroke the slayer's side with it. She flinched, sending him a watchful glance from the corner of her eye, her cheeks slowly coloring in with a pink blush. He quickly pulled back his hand.

"Feh. I'll fine some then." The grumpy hanyou muttered, rising quickly to his bare feet. He crossed his arms, folding them comfortably inside the warm caverns of his haori sleeves. He started towards the doorway, watching with slight amusement as the two immediately moved out of his way as if he would slash them both to shreds if they didn't.

Inuyasha clutched the edge of the bamboo weaving, pulling it aside to stare down at his feet and take a small breath of the air. Was that the smell of Sakura blossoms and- Too late. The harsh whap against his chin as he took a small step forward shocked him. For once, he just hadn't seen it coming, hadn't smelled a person there before he had come right on them. He had been so angry…he hadn't even noticed the approaching scent that he loved so much.

He blinked, hand reaching up to touch his throbbing chin. His angry golden eyes flashed down as a wet sounding 'splat' sounded out. His eyes didn't dare soften as he glared down at the young girl, dressed in a white blouse and green skirt, sitting pitifully in the mud. One of her frail hands was rubbing softly at the place where her forehead had knocked against his chin.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, baka!"

"Owwww…..Well, so much for a nice little reunion after a few days." Kagome muttered under her breath. Her creamy caramel eyes were always so soft even in times like these. How could he just stare down at her with an evil expression? Reluctantly, almost as if he thought it was forbidden or wrong, he stretched down at callused, clawed hand to her.

She accepted it gratefully, sliding her soft skin against his rough palm. For such a long moment, they simply stayed like that, Kagome sitting pitifully in the mud, Inuyasha stooped with his hand in hers. It brought back memories. Such horrible memories they wanted to forget just so they could start to live again. It was clear by the look in those hazel and amber eyes that their hearts still fluttered with single touches like these.

They had tried it once. For awhile, they thought that it really shouldn't matter and that they would be able to take on any other demon that ever made a move towards the two beautiful women of the group. Miroku and Inuyasha thought they could protect their lovers and be able to show their love, not have to hide any longer. They were wrong.

The heat of the fire was an ice cube compared to the heat of those desirable lips. The forest around them was dark and quiet, every animal within tucked deep into bed. Miroku and Sango slept soundly nearby, comfortable in each other's arms with Shippo and Kirara laying nearby. The other two had to be silent….so silent as they kissed passionately.

Kagome's heart fluttered, Inuyasha let out a slow mental moan that he couldn't afford to breath aloud. The miko tightened her thin arms around her lover's neck, skin prickling with his warmth. The press of his lips was so heavy, the feel of his hands running down her arms was so hot. It just felt…right. Inuyasha buried his hands in her silken ebony hair but was careful not to cut her with his claws.

They had started this up again only after a week or two without any kisses, without speaking those sweet words, without touching at all, only shy glances and pitiful hints that their love still existed. They knew that if they stayed apart so long, those feelings might fade. They couldn't bear to be caught in the nightmare of a one sided love.

Finally, Inuyasha stopped. He pulled back a moment, parted lips letting out heavy breaths. His fingers trailed across her jaw line but he didn't kiss her again though they both longed to share another. The night was stretching on. Soon it would be daylight and they couldn't let themselves lose any more sleep.

"You should rest. Get some sleep." The hanyou insisted, moving away from his lover with a shy smile. He hid his face from the glow of the fire, certain that his cheeks were flushed with a red blush as Kagome's were too. The miko nodded, sliding from Inuyasha's lap. Inuyasha gave his lover's shining silk hair another affectionate stroke.

Kagome smiled back at him, almost unable to speak. Every time it was just so breath taking. The hanyou was so gentle in his kisses, but firm and demanding if he wanted to be. He was perfect. He was everything she needed, everything she wanted. If she could only tell him, just spit the words out. He already knew she loved him, of course. But…

Her lips parted.

A twig snapped somewhere close in the darkness of the towering forest. Inuyasha's silver canine ears flicked protectively, suddenly angry golden eyes searched the trees. He took a gentle sniff of the air but only caught the scent of Sakura petals and Strawberries that had not yet faded from inside his nostrils. He didn't feel safe, but nothing seemed to there.

The hanyou could feel eyes boring into his back.

With a reassuring nod towards his lover, he leaned up against a thick tree. He motioned her over, pleased as she quickly climbed into his lap. They shared a short goodnight kiss before Kagome settled down against his chest. Though tempting, the hanyou knew he wouldn't dare fall asleep that night. He had to protect Kagome with his life, and he wasn't quite sure they were completely alone just yet.

The sound of their voices vibrated in the distance as they spoke out sweet goodnights.

"Oyasuminasai."

"Goodnight, Inuyasha."

Just that kiss. That tiny, tiny farewell-until-the-morning kiss. But it was so small, so sweet, easily mistaken for any other close faced gesture. Just that little one that evil eyes managed to see, and the word was out. It spread, rapidly, around to every demon near the area. By morning, things were already as bad as could be.

The hanyou was awoken by the sharp shrieks of two very familiar women. He bolted upright, instinctively snatching up the hilt of his father's fang. How had he fallen asleep? Where was Kagome? Where was Sango? Why hadn't they awakened before when they had somehow wandered away? Something just wasn't right, the hanyou could sense it in his aching bones.

"Miroku, you bum, wake up!" Inuyasha shouted, turning, ready to kick the lazy monk in the shin. He blinked at the empty spot where he had been sleeping just seconds before. The Houshi was running deep into the forest, a good while ahead of the hanyou. With a surprised expression, Inuyasha started after him.

It was awhile before the moans of pain and terror died off into the slow whistling of the morning wind. Inuyasha and Miroku felt their hearts sink to their toes and the guilt and anticipation wash over them. It was better when they had both been screaming, letting the two know they were still alive. Now…they just didn't know.

Hours. It felt like hours before the two frantic men stumbled across another demon's path. Inuyasha didn't waste any small talk before sniffing the air. The entire area was drenched in some kind of smoke. He could hardly see a thing, much less pick out two scents among the choking fog. Their hearts began to pound heavily, their eyes searching the mist for their silent lovers.

"Where they hell are they?" Inuyasha demanded, transformed blade already at the demon's throat. It was an ugly youkai with pale green skin, the color of bile. Alternate legs and arms sprouted from the demon's thick body, limbs sharp and pointed with tiny hairs like needles. He looked more like a praying mantis than anything with huge black eyes in the shape of giant ovals. He wore nothing because he looked more of an insect that a human that would feel the need to cloth themselves.

The hanyou was disgusted.

"Surrender…" The demon hissed.

"Pardon?" Miroku muttered, eyebrows raising. This youkai wasn't after the shards? Surely if he was, he would have taken them from around Kagome's neck and wandered off. What was on his mind? The Houshi clutched his golden staff tightly.

"Surrender to me and you can have the wenches." It hissed again, claws clicking annoyingly.

"What the hell's your problem? Tell us where Kagome and Sango are!"

"Thirsty. I must…feed. I must…drink."

Inuyasha stumbled back. What? This demon wasn't after the jewels at all? If he was thirsty and needed to eat human flesh, why was he holding Kagome and Sango hostage? Why had he not eaten them?

"Women…are weak. I need strength! I need it!" The demon's voice was low, raspy and menacing, but neither the monk nor the hanyou batted and eyelash. This was sick. He wanted to eat them, kill them, and promised to let the girls go if they surrendered and became this demon's food?

"No way am I gonna be your dinner, sick bastard! Just give us back Sango and Kagome!" Inuyasha demanded once more. It was clear that this demon wasn't moving. How stupid. He didn't even look that strong. But then again, with all this fog clogging his nostrils and how it stretched on for miles, the girls could be stashed anywhere. Or worse, already dead. If they killed the youkai now, they'd never find out where the other two were.

"Damn it!" The hanyou cursed, raising his blade. He didn't care anymore. It was either, they surrendered, the girls were killed, or they kill this damn demon and find the two on their own. The third seemed to be their only option.

With a single swipe through the demon's chest, Inuyasha cracked a smile. The wound stretching deep into the youkai's form was clearly fatal. But no blood? Why no screams of pain? The demon stood tall, a devilish grin on his insect features. What in the world? Why wouldn't he die?

"You cannot harm me, half breed."

Miroku squinted at the demon, blue eyes working deep into the beetle-like shell armor that covered the giant bug. After awhile, he straightened, a solemn look on his face as he patted his robe pockets but pulled nothing out.

"He's not alive. He's a spirit, that's why he needs blood. To live. I'd exercise him but I don't have anything to use right now. All my scrolls at Kaede's hut."

"Dammit, Miroku!"

Eventually, they had gotten Sango and Kagome safely returned to them. It wasn't all easy, though. After Miroku had rushed back to Kaede's hut on Kirara while, Inuyasha held off the demon, and returned with the ofuda scrolls the unnamed youkai was dead meat. He was wisked away into the fog in a matter of moments. It was just a little while later that they found their other two companions sprawled out on the grassy ground, drugged and fast asleep.

All that was just too much to handle. So here they were again, itching to hold each other in a warm embrace, cry out all their frustration of not be able to do a thing though their feelings swelled painfully in their chests.

Inuyasha snapped back to the surface, yanking Kagome back to her feet again. They brushed themselves off, rubbing their bruised flesh and simply stood, awkward and staring closely at each other.

That's when the two of them realized…this was just way too hard...

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Omg...ITS BACK! IT'S THE SEQUEL! WHOOO! EVERYONE CELEBRATE!

Welcome back old reviewers and readers and 'ello new ones! I'm glad you're interested in reading my new fic! Trusting a few of you will be reading this little note at the bottom here, I shall announce a few things:

This fic will contain fluff, once more, all the warnings from the last one. But something different is that this one will also include lemon. Yes, lemon. Though, I wouldn't dare write it out. I'm just warning those of you who can't even take the THOUGHT of it. Yes, this fic will be clean and rated T, because it is not graphic. I'm no sicko. But I'm glad you'll enjoy these two (not saying who) are getting together!

WHOOPLA! NEXT CHAPTER AHOY!