Rules of Seduction
Ch. 7
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha..
'Why that little—' Kagome ranted as she sat at the bottom of the dark well. At leas the well had had mercy on her and eased her on the ground, that would have been some drop. She jumped to her feet angrily and huffed while dusting herself. Great. Now her only change of clothes were filthy. She looked up and saw nothing but darkness. Fantastic!
Kagome pushed her hands out, trying to feel her way. She hit the well's wall and tried to climb it. She slipped on one of the blocks sticking out and landed hard on her rear. She cursed again for the hundredth time and shot to her feet once more. No well, no matter how deep or old, would defeat her! She was cold—angry—and HUNGRY! Kagome stared into the darkness, "Well, if you treasure your woodsy little planks, cooperate with me!" she huffed as she reached for the well's wall again. Blindly, she dragged her body out of the well, careful of slippery boards or stones.
She threw one leg over the edge of the well, then the other, tumbling to the ground. She spread her arms next to her as she panted. Kagome stood up quickly, suddenly wanting to jump back in to her time. She had felt something, and knew that her and Sesshomaru had not been alone. But if she did go, and there really was danger, then she'd only be getting in his way. Sighing, she sat on the wooden lip of the well, propping her chin on her palm. She tried to look around, but it was too dark. The trees swayed eerily with the wind, as leaves rustled sending shivers down her back. She gulped when she heard the faint howls of wolves.
Kagome immediately shot to her feet, wide eyes searching the darkness wildly. Oh how she wished Inuyasha were with her. But knowing him, he was probably already asleep inside Kaede's hut along with the group. She tried to figure out the general direction of Kaede's village and started walking forward. When the howl's of the wolves sounded louder and closer, she hurried her pace to a light jog; she wasn't in the mood to hit her face flat on a tree or trip head first on a bush. She really had no idea if she was heading in the right direction, but it seemed right...or not!
Kagome slammed into a low bush as the thought finished forming, falling forward. Just my luck, she muttered as she rose to her knees and dusted her hands. She frowned down as she stood and dusted her knees. She stuck her hands out in front of her, walking slowly, and trying to feel her way. The moon was wanning, barely lighting her way. The thick canopy of trees blocked any remaining light. Huffing and puffing, she walked ahead, staining against the thick silence of the night. She had no clue where she was heading, all she knew was she had to keep moving and pray she found someone that wouldn't try and kill her.
Off in the distance, she heard the howls again, this time much closer. Without thinking, Kagome squealed and ran forward; succeeding in slamming face first on a tree. She fell back from the impact and sat rubbing her abused nose and chin. Dammit!
Her eyes widened when she heard the same howls closer to her...much closer to her. She froze as she heard a growl right behind her, hot breath fanning her neck. Closing her eyes shut, she slowly turned her head and froze when warm horrid breath fanned her face. She shot her eyes opened and turned around, pushing herself away from the creature with her legs. She was surrounded by what she could imagine were dogs, their eyes bright and trained directly at her. Still on the ground, Kagome prepared her body for the attack sure to come. A dark, tall figure walked out of the trees. She only knew there was some one there because it's silhouette was darker than it's background.
It came closer...closer, until it was standing a foot's length before her, looking down at her. Kagome choked on her own breath and couldn't find her voice to scream, she couldn't move to lash out. The one before her reached down for her, and she saw something shine near it's mouth. Fangs....
Kagome lifted her arm to cover her face and started kicking when it reached for her arm. She screamed at the top of her lungs, knowing and hoping to hurt the demon's sensitive ears. She idly heard her name being called, and stopped, looking up shocked.
"Hey—hey! Kagome! Relax!"
Did this person know her? The voice, so obviously male, sounded terribly familiar. She felt her heart beat in her throat and peeked up through her arm.
"Do I know you?" Kagome felt stupid asking, but she couldn't tell who it was. She glanced at the dogs behind him and noticed they weren't attacking, just sitting or laying on the ground staring up at the man before her. And, they weren't dogs....but wolves. That triggered something in her mind and she shot to her feet, dusting her backside.
"Kouga..?" she tried tentatively. She strained her eyes in the darkness, stepping closer and trying to see him.
"You got it sweets," his voice boomed through the silent darkness. "You know, any closer Kagome, and you'll just about kiss me," he said, his voice sounded too smug for her liking.
Kagome took a step back as if he'd struck her physically. Her cheeks flared, and thanked the Kamis it was dark. She mumbled an apology and Kouga laughed.
"Don't apologize Kagome, you're my woman," he said, fists on his hips, "My woman can shower me with kisses any time," he finished, giving her a devilish smile even though he knew he couldn't see it. And as if to prove his point, he grabbed her around the waist and turned her towards the resting wolves, and spread his hand towards them, "Even they all agree and welcome you to their pack!" he said a wide grin on his face.
Kagome rolled her eyes, sure he wouldn't see it. She pushed him off her gently and tried to smile, remembering all too suddenly she'd left future Sesshomaru back home....She also remembered that she'd felt something approach her shrine, what if it hurt Sesshomaru? What if it hurt her family? Kagome's head was swimming with thoughts, drowning her with feelings of worry and frustration. She turned towards Kouga and grabbed his forearm, "Kouga! Quick, lead me towards the well!" she said a bit too high.
Kouga stared at her, one brow raised; puzzled. He looked at her and then around her, noticing she was alone. His brows furrowed and turned to look at her, "Why are you alone Kagome? And not with the mutt?"
Kagome again rolled her eyes, not wanting to explain. Sighing, she resigned herself. "I left his yesterday and left back home. But something unplanned happened back home and now I'm here and now I really have to go back!" she squealed the last, out of breath.
Kouga seemed to think about it, really only stalling for time to be with her. He rubbed his chin, unsure of what to do. He couldn't leave her in the middle of the forest with her alone and unprotected. No, it was his duty to protect her since the half-breed was incapable of doing it. Puckering his lips and rubbing his chin, he snapped his fingers as if he had a bright idea. "I got it!"
Kagome looked up at his and tilted her head to the side, expectantly. "What do you have?"
Kouga tuned to her and without notice, hauled her over his shoulder and was off, a wide grin splitting his face in two. Kagome squealed in surprise and slapped his back, "What are you doing!" she said, scared out of her wits. She feared that any minute they would crash on a tree, or worse, trip and fall to their deaths.
"I'm taking you back home, what else?" Kouga threw over his shoulder, leaving nothing but dust behind them. As he ran, he couldn't help but grin stupidly. What a great opportunity to have her alone, and take her to his lair. That worthless mutt had probably angered her again and let her go off in the middle of the night unprotected. He scoffed at the thought, he would never let his woman go unprotected. Never.
"Kouga," Kagome started, a bite to her tone, "I'm not going anywhere with you unless you're taking me to Inuyasha or, even better, back to the well."
Kouga scowled, and looked over his shoulder, "No way Kagome," he smiled showing her his pearly fang. He kept up his pace, not intending to stop.
Kagome rolled her eyes and sighed, she really didn't want to do anything rash, but he was just to stubborn for his own good. With one final silent apology, she wrapped her arms around his torso and allowed the tight grip she had on her holy aura flow freely. Not too much, but just enough. As if on cue, Kouga halted with a jerk and arched his back. His eyes widened and his mouth flew open, his voice frozen in his throat. He felt the sizzling sting of her purifying aura swept him, like a wave crashing onto a rocky shore.
As the wave swept him, he hunched over and Kagome rolled out of his grip. He wrapped his arms around his torso and buckled over the after-shocks, the prickling sensations sweeping across his midsection. He looked up and saw Kagome's eyes wide, as if shocked herself.
Kagome had no idea it would hurt Kouga so bad, she thought she's only released so little of her holy aura, really not enough to hurt him. Perhaps she was too stressed about everything that had happened that night she clearly couldn't control herself completely.
"What was that for, woman?" Kouga got out through clenched teeth. Yeah it hurt like hell, and talking only disturbed the shocks, but he wanted to know why she'd done it?
Kagome felt terrible about what she did to Kouga, and she really didn't want to tell him anything. After all, how could she tell him she was from the future and that she'd had a wild hot night with future Sesshomaru?! No, she really didn't want to say anything. Her eyes wildly searched her surroundings, meeting nothing but darkness. She knew too well Kouga could probably see her as if it was clear as day, but she did the only thing that crossed her mind.
She turned around and ran for dear life.
OoO
Sesshomaru stared at the bottom of the well, puzzled. He couldn't understand how a simple old well could transport the miko from her time to his past. 500 hundred years back into his past. The thought only brought fresh questions into his mind, and he decided to ponder them later, when he didn't have such a malevolent aura approaching him.
He turned silently, breathing in deeply, as if tired. His eyes scanned the interior of the well house, searching every corner of the small wooden house. He took each step at a time up towards the well house's entrance and slid the door open. Sesshomaru stepped out and inhaled the cool fresh air, appreciating the natural pure air around the shrine. The current era had been polluted with so much advancement and factories, it was a welcomed change to breath the clean air around the shrine. He turned his head and his body followed, warm honeyed eyes scanning the shrine's surroundings. He felt more than saw the darkness. Even though it was a dark night, there were parts where a different of darkness thrived, much more pitch black.
His eyes narrowed towards the direction of the stairs leading up towards the shrine, where he felt the greatest threat. Silently, like the predator he is, he glided towards the stairs and peered down. There was absolutely nothing.
Sesshomaru felt more than heard the sudden flash behind him, and whirled around. His eyes flashed from side to side, scrutinizing every corner, tree, and bush. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the ground, examining it carefully. His eyes widened as they shot above him, and saw what could only be described as a dark cloud above his head. The cloud seemed to be made of smoke, yet tiny matter swirled and danced within it frantically, as if it had a mind of it's own.
Looking around for any kind of witness, he flicked his wrist and his neon green whip slashed through the dark matter as if it was butter. It continued to float above his head, and then it went still. Simply froze in the air. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed and the thing flew right at him. Sesshomaru held his ground, daring it to come closer. It did, and it engulfed him within it's dark interior. The darkness swirled around his body, slipping in between his clothes and sliding through his hair. Though it looked like smoke it was thick and slimy.
Sesshomaru eyes bled red and his claws glowed eerily green, as he slashed out at the black matter. The slimy darkness slid over his body, gliding up to his face and tried to push into his mouth. Sesshomaru tried to hold his breath the instant it tried entering through his nose. It felt suffocating within, as if it was trying to squeeze every bit of air out of the bubbled containing Sesshomaru.
"Get off of me," Sesshomaru growled, keeping his calm. He felt the dark smoke creep up his pants, and felt when it coiled around his legs, squeezing. Was it trying to hold him still?
Sesshomaru had had enough, in one swift move, he sprang up and out of the smoke's reach. As he landed at the top of the shrine's roof, he scrutinized the black cloud and saw it for what it really was. His eyes narrowed as he saw it was much bigger than before, and darker. It looked like a vast void of nothingness. He saw as thin tendrils of smoke twirled and carried a wisp of electricity through them. Sesshomaru's eyes widened a fraction when he noticed something much darker moving within the center of the dark matter. Within, in the very center, he was able to make out the shape of a creature. It's body was tightly mixed with the cloud and smoke, but the shape of a man was unmistakable. His face was completely black, Sesshomaru could not make out a mouth nor nose, simply the shape of his body.
What seemed to be the head turned his way and it lifted it's dark shadowy head, large red eyes opened and glinted towards him. There was no pupil and no white around the eyes, simply the whole eye ball was simply red. Tendrils of smoke slided through him, making him a part of the dark cloud and it narrowed it's shinny red eyes towards Sesshomaru. By the way they narrowed, Sesshomaru had the distinct feeling it was either smiling at him or challenging him....or both.
Sesshomaru growled deep in his throat and snarled, his fangs blasting from his gums and into his lips. He didn't intend on attacking unless it was a threat towards him, but it was more to show dominance and power. More like a 'my horse is bigger than your horse' kind of thing.
Red eyes narrowed seriously and it's entire body turned towards Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru stiffened his body, preparing it for the attack, and preparing his mind and body for his attack. Sesshomaru's claws dug into the corner of where the roof met the side wall of the house, balancing his body for when he leapt into action.
The man made of darkness seemed to float towards him, as there was no legs visible through the smoke and darkness around him. Within a blink of the eye, it shot forward and Sesshomaru launched down towards the approaching whirlwind of darkness. Snarling, he brought his hand up, his claws ready and dripping with acid and struck. In that one moment, Sesshomaru landed on the concrete ground and turned in less than a second.
Sharp, venomous claws at the ready, fangs bared and dripping with poison. But, it was gone. The dark malevolent cloud of black slimy smoke was gone. Sesshomaru searched the heavens for any sign of the shadow creature and found not even a wisp of smoke in the air. Furrowing his brows he stood and regained his calm composure, retracting his fangs and calling back his poison. Looking around with a suspicious eye, he turned towards the well. Wondering about the girl and her mysterious background.
His eyes narrowed towards the well one last time as a new thought entered his mind. Now that the current threat was apparently gone, his mind returned to work around the girl. He hadn't thought about the consequences when he'd dumped her into the well, he'd simply wanted her out of the way—why? He didn't know. He shouldn't of cared in the first place, but he did. He blamed it on her of course, she was too much of a mystery, a paradox.
Now, though, his mind unoccupied, he thought about his actions. He'd thrown her in the well and into his past without thinking. And now....well, what would happen if he met her 500 years into the past? What would he do if he encountered her....smelling of him—reeking with his scent? What would his half-breed brother say? What would he do? Closing his eyes at the sudden bombardment of thoughts, he turned away and searched his memory.
Nothing.
He didn't remember meeting the miko in the past and having her smell of him. Good, that meant he hadn't encountered her in the past.
OoO
Kagome had no idea which was she was going, it felt like she was running in circles. It was too dark to see where she was going, was she going north? South? East?.....Or worse....West?
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she kept running and ignored the sting in her side. So much had gone on in one simple night her head was swimming with different images. From her rubbing on Sesshomaru, to Hojo's jealous streak—to her annoying and meddling friends, to Sesshomaru dumping her into the well....oh the nerve!
Kagome kept her arms in front of her as she ran, too aware of the many trees in the forest. It seemed she'd been running for hours when it was really only minutes. Suddenly, she caught the slight glow of a fire up ahead in the distance. New hope burst inside her, causing her to become aware of how frightened she really was.
"Yes!" she panted as she ran.
Only a few more miles....Darn! Kagome continued her pace, until she could see the trees in front of her, lighted by the small fire ahead. As she got closer, she stopped running and continued at a light jog. She almost patter her back at how well she'd kept running....if only she'd run her runs like that at school.
Her face broke into a smile as she approached, and broke through the forest. She almost exclaimed excitedly, when all traces of happiness and enthusiasm vanished and wiped clean from her face. Her mouth fell open as she took the sight before her—and nearly broke down into sobs of hysteria.
Before her was little Rin, laying next to her dragon companion, asleep. Jaken slept on the other side of the reptile, snoring softly and holding on to his staff as if for dear life. And off to the left, resting against the trunk of a tree, was the last person she wanted to see.
Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open and glared directly at their intruder. His eyes remained passive, locked with the frozen girl before him. He glanced behind her and around her, noting she was alone. He almost ignored her, thinking she was on her way back to her little pathetic group, when the oddest scent reached his nose. In an instant his eyes snapped wide open again, and locked with hers. Without warning he was standing merely inches from her, eyes narrowed and looking down at her.
Kagome nearly jumped out of her skin when he opened his eyes and locked them on hers. He hadn't even looked around, simply opened them and he was already looking at her. She nearly craped on her jeans when he flashed before her, glaring at her like there was no tomorrow.
Sesshomaru hand shot out and circled around her slim neck, and pushed her back into the forest, away from where could see her if she were to wake up. He dragged her back until he had her pressed against a tree, he knew some of the broken branches were digging into her back, but he didn't care. He saw her wince as those branches dug deeper into her soft flesh and ignored it. There was only one reason he had her in such a position, and he wasn't letting go until he had answers.
Kagome automatically grabbed his hands when he pushed her back against a tree, and tried to push them off her neck. The stubs on the tree were digging into her back, and some of them were pointy, tearing through her thin shirt and into her flesh. She froze the instant he spoke and looked up to see his impassive gaze on hers.
"Girl, why do you carry this Sesshomaru's scent on your person?" his voice was silent, but that made it all the more threatening, as he looked down at her. His eyes were blank as he waited patiently for an answer, knowing no answer or excuse would justify the fact she smelled of him. His scent radiated from her very person, and the only way his scent would linger on her with such strength and force, would be if they'd been in close contact—very close contact. And he knew for a fact, they hadn't. He'd encountered his mutt's pack earlier on the day, and he hadn't seen her—which meant there was no way she could have been anywhere near him.
Kagome didn't know how to answer him, with the truth or a lie? Obviously, he'd tell she was lying right away....so, what to do? It's not like she could just grind against him...again....though it would be hilarious to see his reaction this time...or not. Her eyes flashed from left to right, trying to come up with something...believable.
"Do not try and lie to me girl," Sesshomaru said, his demeanor becoming aggressive all of a sudden.
Okay, so he hated lies, great....Kagome thought. Maybe she should just grind on him and loosen him up, he was such a stick in the mud in this era, Kagome continued to think.
"I....uh...I-I, you see..."Kagome furrowed her brows, not wanting to see him at the moment. She peeked up through her lashes, and quickly lowered her eyes when she saw him staring at her expectantly. Dammit!
Taking a deep breath, she said, "You won't believe what happened today, Lord Sesshomaru."
That seemed to catch his attention, because he lifted a brow and squeezed her neck, bidding her continue.
"And, uh....well,...umm," Kami she needed help. How on earth was she going to get out of this one? She should of just left with Kouga and perhaps after Inuyasha went for her to her time and found her gone, he'd looked for her. Ah, well, no point in thinking of the 'what ifs'.
Kagome swallowed, and took a deep breath. She knew she had to be honest, so...here goes nothing. "Lord Sesshomaru, today I—well you see, I'm not from this time...." she halted and scrutinized his reaction. He simply lifted a brow and again squeezed her neck, signaling she continued.
She froze when Sesshomaru leaned down and stuck his nose on her neck, burying his face into her hair. She wanted to blush, she wanted to push him away....and she wanted to pull him closer and wrap herself around him so bad it almost hurt.
Kagome nearly raised her own hand and slapped herself, dammed hormones!
Sesshomaru inhaled her scent, mingling tightly with his own. For some reason, he smelled no lie coming from her. Her scent did not rise with the sweat released while one lied, and that puzzled him even more. Not from this time? He squeezed her neck, letting her feel his claws teasing the back of her neck warningly.
"How long?" was the only thing uttered out of his lips.
Kagome didn't understand the question, and then it clicked. He wanted to know how far into the future. "Five hundred years into the future," she whispered, knowing if she spoke too loud she'd hurt his ears.
Kagome started talking with a jump as she felt his sharp claws tapping the back of her neck when he squeezed again. "And today, I went back to my time....my home. When I was there, well.....I kind of met you." Kagome paused when he felt him stiffen.
Sesshomaru froze at her confession. The human was not lying, he could feel it, and that unnerved him, though he kept it in check. She'd met him....the future him. What could they've of done that would cause her to have his scent so tightly mingled with hers? For both their scents to become so tightly mixed, they had to of been highly emotional. The scent of a being spiked and became heated, therefore stronger. And when they came into contact when another when in such a state, it would clung to the other tightly. He could understand the girl being emotional...but him? She would probably be surprised...scared...or confused. And he would be.....?
Sesshomaru thought about that. How would he react if he was five hundred years in the future and met this girl from five centuries back into his past? What would he feel?
Anger? No, he wouldn't be angered, perhaps a bit, but not enough.
Confused? Yes, but not enough to cause his scent to spike and catch him off guard.
It had to be something else...but what? Curious...yes, he would be curious. He could be honest with himself and know he would indeed be curious. He'd want to dissect every theory and idea carefully until he had answers. But would his curiosity be spiked in such an extreme way as to spike and heat his scent? He couldn't know for sure, and that anger him, but he'd let it go. He was confident his future self would know exactly what he was doing...and how he would do it.
"And why is it you carry my scent, girl?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice a velvety caress across her ear.
She was too breathless as she answered in a daze, too sucked into his allure to censor her answer, "because we grinded." The moment those words left her lips, Kagome snapped out of it. She was too aware of his closeness, of his chest and shoulders pressed against her, his hand wrapped around her warm neck. Ah crap! Was the only thing running through her mind.
Sesshomaru's brows furrowed, knowing she wouldn't be able to see it as his face was still buried in her milky neck. Grinded?
"Explain," he ordered.
Kagome felt her cheeks aflame instantly. EXPLAIN?! How was she going to explain that!--That she'd been rubbing her body against him—well, future him, and grinding her derrière on his manhood! A grown escaped her lips at the memory and she quickly shut her mouth tight.
He, of course heard her little slip and felt her cheeks flush. He wanted to look up and analyze her eyes, but her scent had spiked and become too intoxicating to remove his nose.
"I—I can't...." he heard her stutter.
He moved his eyes to the side, and narrowed them, still not removing his nose from the junction between her neck and shoulder.
"Then demonstrate...Now," he said in a final tone. He would not take any more defiance, even if it was not intended to be defiant. She would not tell him what she meant, because it no longer interested him. Now, she would demonstrate, whether she liked it or not....
OoO
5oo hundred years into the future, walking down the steps of the shrine, Sesshomaru snapped his eyes up—wide with disbelief. A new, fresh memory flashed through his mind, one he was sure he hadn't had a minute ago. All of a sudden it simply popped into his head. He stopped walking down the dark steps, and watched the 'new' memory play out in his mind. His eyes wide as he saw this, and a slow mischievous smirk played at the tips of his lips....So, the miko had in fact encountered him in the past. He chuckled lightly at his past-self's request for the miko to 'demonstrate' and nearly laughed at what his 'newly created memory' showed him....
A/N: LOL! Poor Kagome! So.....should she demonstrate.....or not?
