Disclaimer: Inuyasha nor Twilight belong to me

Addiction

Moments like this, he truly wished he was able to fall into blissful sleep, to rest in the soothing darkness of unconsciousness. Instead, he found himself waiting. Anxiety and impatience burned through his veins as the reason for his worry rested peacefully and unaware.

He'd missed her. It wasn't until his eyes had fallen on her once more, that he realized the depth of the wound she had left in her wake. Centuries ago, when he had seen her for the first time, there had been no doubt in his mind she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He'd been drawn to her immediately. The light that she exuded blanketed everyone in her company with a warmth that was intoxicating. Without knowing it, he'd become addicted to her. He ached to spend every waking moment of his eternal life with her. When he left England, he feared that he would never again be allowed to bask in her presence. But now, he'd found her again.

She was just as beautiful as the day he'd first met her. Long, sooty lashes fanned across high cheekbones, set into a heart shaped face. Long black hair, silky and shining with a blue luster curled in long waves across the pristine white sheets that adorned his bed.

Gold eyes drank in the view of lengthy, toned legs. The sight alone caused a fire to ignite in his veins. Carlisle swallowed uncomfortably as his mind was bombarded by the memory of her long legs wrapped around his hips. With a growl, Carlisle forced his gaze away from the resting woman, disgusted by his lack of self control. The steady drum of her heartbeat, however could not be ignored. Heavy lids lowered over golden eyes and he began counting.

'One, two, three, four-' He braced a hand against his own chest, waiting. It was nearly two full minutes before he felt his own heart beat. A single powerful pump. It wasn't natural. It wasn't human. He wasn't human. No one in his family was and she shouldn't be either. Something wasn't right.

Darkened honey eyes once again focused on the woman in front of him. She was perfectly preserved. She hadn't aged a single day from the last time he'd seen her. Her skin, although pale, radiated a warmth that neither he, nor any other vampire he'd met possessed. It was also enticingly soft, exactly as it had been centuries ago, unlike his own skin that was hard and unyielding like marble.

Without thought, he found his feet carrying him toward her. Kneeling, he took a deep breath. The vanilla scent of her shampoo greeted him as well as the soothing scent of blackberries and green tea he knew was unique to Kagome. Carlisle took in another lungful of her scent, his muscles relaxing with each breath. Bracing one hand on the mattress, he pressed the palm of the other against the angry red stitches that decorated her temple. The skin there was strikingly warm in contrast to his own icy flesh, even compared to the rest of her skin.

A low groan rolled past plump lips, drawing his attention toward the delicate red flesh.

"Kagome?" He shifted even closer, never taking his eyes from her lips. A gentle caress tugged his attention down to where he saw delicate fingers moving across his chest.

"Carlisle?" The gentle murmur sent a shiver racing down his spine. Gold eyes connected with sapphire. Another mystery to unravel, however, it was the pain and fear that clouded the brilliant blue orbs that captured his attention. The warmth of her palm pressed against his chest for a brief moment before his flesh erupted in pain. Pink fire exploded from beneath her skin in a wave of power that hurled him across the room and slammed him into the wall. The impact sent him crumbling to the floor.

Fresh plaster rained down on him for a moment. The soft patter of her feet on the wood was nearly drowned out by the throbbing in his skull. The acrid scent of molten metal that poured from his flesh burned his nostrils and caused his head to swim. Forcing his eyes open, Carlisle examined the room. The pink fire was gone and so was Kagome. With a growl, he braced a hand against the wall and forced himself to his feet. His head ached and it felt as though sand had been poured into his joints.

'Why?' His mind felt sluggish. Each thought presented itself as though they were wading through murky waters. 'She's spent centuries alone, far different from any vampire I've ever encountered, and it's my fault.' His mind accused.

The faint click of the front door snapped him from his daze and propelled him into action. Within seconds he was bursting from the house and hunting the scent of blackberries and green tea. Trees sped past him in a blur of greens and browns. The rush of her blood flooded his ears, triggering the feral instincts he'd spent centuries taming. A flash of pale skin and glimmering eyes caught his attention through the dense foliage. A gasp tore from her mouth as their eyes locked.

Muscles bunching tight in his legs, he launched himself through the air and touched down in her path. The scent of salt struck him as his arms folded her into his embrace.

"Kagome, I promise I won't let you be alone anymore." Carlisle murmured, cradling the back of her head and pulling her soft form against himself. She was tense in his hold. It hurt to know she was so uncomfortable when he, for the first time in decades, felt whole. It was as if he'd been wandering through a fog since she'd disappeared. Her unique scent perfumed the air and relaxed the tension in his own muscles. He couldn't enjoy the moment, however, with the scent of her tears tickling his nose.

"Kagome?" He tried again. She shuddered in his grasp. An invisible blade tore mercilessly at his own heart as she whimpered.

"Please." She begged, glistening eyes rising to meet his. "You got what you wanted. Just let me go."

"What?" Carlisle froze, eyes scanning her tear stained face. Kagome's soft features twisted in an anger he'd never seen from her. Rage overwhelmed her eyes and darkened them into twin hypnotic indigo storms.

"Don't! Don't lie to me again. You got the blood. I can feel it in you now," She cried, fingers twisting in the thin material of his shirt so tight he was surprised it didn't tear at the seams. Carlisle watched in apprehension as her eyes scanned the empty space surrounding him as if examining something he could not see. Her eyes slowly connected with his again.

"Don't pretend that you care." Her voice cracked as she spoke, blinking furiously, trying to prevent her tears from falling.

'Her blood?' Carlisle wondered, confusion muddling his mind. Kagome's head bowed low, casting shadows over the soft planes of her face. Carlisle threaded his fingers through the long inky tresses at the base of her neck and pressed a soft kiss to her temple. He would ponder more on what she was talking about at a later time, for now, he needed to reassure her. Kagome molded against him, limp like a doll as if her energy was drained from her all at once. A small shiver traveled through her delicate frame as he traced an icy hand down her back. Her scorching heat still baffled and amazed him.

"I've thought about you every day. I never meant to hurt you." He could hear her breath catch in her throat. She shifted, her head tilting back slightly. Luminescent blue eyes examined his face briefly before they once again moved to study the vacant air around him.

'What does she see?' He wondered, swallowing anxiously before he pushed on. "I will never lie to you." He pressed a hand to the curve of her jaw, prompting her to look him in the eye. He needed her to see the truth of his words. Kagome's eyes glimmered with unshed tears, doubt clouding the sapphire pools but Carlisle could see the hope sparkling in the depths. "I've never cared for someone the way I care for you."

A gasp choked her throat. Carlisle watched in rapt attention as she screwed her eyes shut and a tear slipped past the barrier of her lashes. His gaze focused on the trail it left behind. The glossy path shimmered in the sliver of moonlight that caressed her skin and he was tempted to capture it's evanescence.

Even while she cried, she was the most stunning creature he'd ever seen. Boldly, he pressed his lips to her cheek in a gentle kiss. The faintest taste of salt brushed his senses as she trembled and tucked her head beneath his chin. The warmth of her breath puffed against his neck causing pleasurable tremors to slither through his body. Carlisle's arms wrapped tighter around the fragile woman in his arms in an involuntary response.

Burrowing his nose into the thick locks of hair at the crown of her head, Carlisle was relieved to smell that the anxiety and fear that had smothered her natural fragrance was fading.

"Let me protect you." It was barely a whisper but he was sure she'd heard him. Kagome tensed in his arms momentarily. A sense of dread filled him as he awaited her response. He didn't know what he would do if she disappeared again. It had been a miracle that they'd found their way back to one another once. He doubted that fate would be so kind to him again.

It felt like an eternity before finally he felt her head jerk once in a nod. It was all the answer he needed. With a burst of energy, he was sweeping Kagome into the safety of his arms and racing toward his new home.

Everyone who has liked, followed, and especially those of you who have reviewed, thank you so much. You're the reason I push to continue. Something about this chapter did not want to be written. It was really frustrating. I kept getting into a good rhythm at the worst times. AKA whenever I'm supposed to be paying attention in class. You guys get like that too?

I'm hoping to have the next chapter out soon but no guarantees. Already I've neglected other stories that i was supposed to be focusing on. But you were all so amazing in your reviews I couldn't stand making you wait any longer. I hope you enjoyed the new installment!