I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. Rumiko Takahashi does.
Deserted 10: Heated
Something wet caressing his chest pulled Inuyasha from sleep. A lazy grin pulled across his face as he stretched under the tender assault of his mate. Shifting beneath her warm heat, Inuyasha reached to pull Kagome close.
Her nervous chuckle brought his attention to her face. Inuyasha sighed when her smile shifted to a concerned frown.
"What's bothering you?" Inuyasha asked, his eyes catching sight of the towel she was using to clean his chest.
"I bit you again." Tilting her head, Kagome studied the mark on Inuyasha's chest. There was something about his touch that left her needing more -- wanting more. The heat he created with just his hands left her wanton, desperate to do whatever he wished. He could make her body high on sensation, so sensitized that every touch sent her reeling. His scent intoxicated her, and his taste - his taste was what had caused the bite on his chest. Again.
"And I told you I liked it." Inuyasha smiled. "Let me ask you something." Shifting her to lay beside him, Inuyasha pulled the wet towel from her hand and tossed it onto the nightstand. With her hair spread messily around her shoulders and her deep brown eyes gazing back at him, Inuyasha had a hard time focusing on his words.
Pushing his arousal away, Inuyasha asked, "Do you hate it when I bite you?"
Her change in scent told him all he needed to know, but he waited to see what she'd say. He smirked when she closed her eyes and nearly groaned aloud when her tongue slipped past her lips to wet her lower lip. And then she smiled. It was breathtaking to see the rush of color tinting her skin a rosy hue, but what held his focus were the small fangs that peeked from beneath her lips. She wasn't entirely human anymore, was she? No. His blood, and their mating, had changed her; and he hoped that she wouldn't regret the decision she'd made once she realized it.
"It's... beyond erotic when you bite me, Inuyasha." She sensed his worry, and she reached to cup his cheek. "I don't regret what we've done, Inuyasha. How could I?"
"You might think differently when you see the changes in your body." Touching a claw to her teeth, he smiled sadly. "These might not go away."
"I'm all right with that part of it, Inuyasha. They've been there since the first time I bit you." Shrugging her shoulders, she continued, "They don't bother me; and they're not noticeable, anyway."
"They are to me," Inuyasha laughed. "I like the change."
"What else will change, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha took a moment before answering. "Your emotions will become more tuned to mine and mine to yours. Your sense of smell will improve, and your hearing."
Picking up her hand, Inuyasha studied her fingernails. They were longer and more lethal than human fingernails were. He'd noted the changes that had taken place in Rin when she'd mated with Sesshomaru. They were small changes largely unnoticed by most, but any with demon blood had seen them. "You'll need to be more careful with these, too," he said, tapping her fingertip. "Your body won't change much more than this. The changes are to help you protect yourself."
"Protect myself? Why would I need to protect myself?"
Inuyasha laughed. It was a bitter sound, lacking any of the warm humor she knew he had. Rolling onto his back, Inuyasha smiled cynically before turning his head toward the not-so human wench lying beside him.
"Let's just say that prejudice isn't just a human trait. All species are taught to some extent that interracial mating, or marriage, is looked down on. Humans will act out against it, but demons are far worse in the extremes they are willing to go to end such relationships. Haven't you noticed that Sesshomaru keeps Rin with him nearly all the time now? If he has to leave for any amount of time, there is always someone assigned to protect her."
"But why would she need protection? I mean, if these are supposed to be lethal…" Raising her hand, Kagome stretched her fingers.
"They can be lethal, Kagome, but you have to be trained to protect yourself. It isn't something that just comes naturally. I began training the day I learned to walk. So did Sesshomaru. It's something all demons are taught. You wouldn't stand a chance if one decided to use you as an example of why demons and humans shouldn't mate."
"But it's instinctual, Inuyasha. You and I are prime examples of that. It's not like we'd have given each other the time of day before the other night." Kagome laughed. "More like the finger!"
Inuyasha smiled. "True. But not everyone sees the whole picture. Demon. Human. It doesn't matter. To some it's wrong, and some will do anything to make an example of those of us who don't follow their belief system. So it's up to us to protect our own. You and Rin are anomalies. It is rare for a demon to choose a human mate. But when it happens, the bond is as strong as it is between demons. My blood blended with your human blood to strengthen you. It can't be undone, and our bond can never be broken. I will always be yours, just as you'll always be mine."
Mine.
That one word was like ice water against her skin. Kagome tensed. It reminded her of a man she couldn't escape, a past she couldn't forget.
"You'll always be mine, bitch. Don't ever forget that!" Bankotsu's words echoed in her head, and Kagome pushed herself from Inuyasha's embrace.
"I don't belong to you. I won't belong to anyone, not ever again."
"Kagome?" Inuyasha sat up, his gaze following her sudden retreat across the room. He could sense her unease and had to suppress the growl clawing its way through his chest. He watched her pull on a pair of his sweats and a shirt before finally finding his voice through his confusion. "Kagome?"
He waited until her gaze met his. There were so many emotions in her dark eyes: fear, anger, resentment. What was it that had her so on edge? Her reaction before she'd marked him had been similar. Was being his such a horrible thing?
She wasn't frightened of him, he knew that for certain. She'd have never stayed wrapped in his embrace for as long as she had, would never have allowed his touch, or even encouraged it if she was afraid of him.
"What's your problem, Kagome? You're okay with being mated to a half-demon. You're even okay with having fangs and claws. But the minute I say you're mine, you freak out!" He hadn't meant it the way it sounded, but he was curious, if not a bit angry. She'd chosen him, too, and he wasn't all freaked out about being hers!
"Leave it alone, Inuyasha," she warned. He could feel her anger building, but his demon was raging inside, howling in discontent that its chosen mate hated the idea of belonging to him alone.
"What the hell is going on here? Do you hate being mine so much? Is it that bad being mated to a half-demon? Or is it that you're just embarrassed to belong to me outside of this bedroom?"
"It has nothing to do with you!"
"The hell it doesn't! I tell you you'll change, and you're fine with it! I tell you that you're sporting claws and fangs, and you're fine with that, too! But the second I call you mine, you wig out on me!"
"Back off, Inuyasha."
"Fuck no! I ain't backing off until you give me some answers, damn it!"
He knew the moment her anger snapped. He could see it in her eyes and feel it through their mark.
"I'm not a god-damn possession, Inuyasha. I'm not something you can lay claim to, then brush aside the moment I am no longer convenient! I won't belong to you -- not to anyone! I made that mistake once, and the asshole made sure that I knew I was nothing more than a human bitch to use and throw away on a whim!"
Inuyasha was utterly speechless. Was that what she thought? That being his meant she was his possession? The salty scent of her tears was his undoing, and he found himself faced with a side of this woman he'd never seen before. She was always so strong, always so confident. It was her strength that had drawn him to her, her passion for life and all in it that had made him notice her to begin with. What kind of man would tear that away from her? What kind of beast would make her feel like something to be used and thrown away?
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I never meant it like that."
When she turned to leave, he whined, a pitiful sound that broke through his vocal chords before he'd even had a chance to suppress it. He spoke without thought, his words stopping her progress across the room.
"When I said you were mine, I meant it. But not the way you're thinking."
When she turned again to face him, he continued, "You're my other half, Kagome. You're my mate, the other half of my soul; and someday, I hope you'll want to be the other half of my heart."
He winced when her tears fell faster and started when her voice found his ears.
Pushing her emotions back under control, Kagome studied Inuyasha. She'd never been so warmed by another's words before. He meant what he said. She could feel it! She could feel his sorrow at making her cry, could feel his regret pulsing frantically through the mark on her neck. But what could she say to an admission like that? Everything that ran through her mind failed in comparison, so she said the first thing that came to mind, wincing at how stupid she sounded.
"I'm hungry."
"Me, too." Inuyasha smiled. Reaching toward her, he waited until she returned to their bed, tugging her down with him. Nuzzling her shoulder, Inuyasha closed his eyes. He'd say or do anything to ease the fear that coated her scent, but deep in his heart he'd meant every word.
"I'm serious!" Kagome giggled. "We missed breakfast, and by the smell of it, lunch is being served."
"No one's come to get us yet. We should just stay here until they do. I can think of plenty to do while we wait."
"I'm sure you could, but I don't think my stomach is gonna wait that long." Moving to sit on the side of the bed, Kagome turned her glance toward Inuyasha. "Besides, I doubt anyone will come to remind us, especially after the way you growled at Koga when he came in."
"The bastard should have knocked." Inuyasha growled. "It ain't my fault he's got shitty timing. He's just lucky he didn't see any more than he did."
Laughing softly, Kagome blushed. "I'm sure he feels bad enough, Inuyasha. Give him a break."
"Fine. But when he asks to sleep in here again, I'm telling him to go to hell!" Inuyasha grumbled. Moving to gather his clothing -- again -- Inuyasha walked toward the bathroom. "Wanna shower with me? I promise to behave myself."
Kagome laughed. "Don't make a promise you can't keep, Dog Boy."
"Are you giving me attitude, woman?" Inuyasha growled. Dropping his clothing, Inuyasha turned to face her, the cocky smirk on his face the only thing he wore.
"What? You thought I'd be a submissive wench?" Shaking her head in defiance, Kagome laughed. "Shows you what happens when you think, doesn't it."
"Want me to show you how dominant I can be?" Inuyasha asked before advancing on her and taking her lips in a heated kiss.
"You're not the one wearing the pants in this relationship," Kagome giggled. Eyeing the half demon lasciviously, she smiled. "In fact, you aren't wearing much of anything right about now."
"Are you complaining?"
"Oh, absolutely not," she moaned, her body heating beneath the soft caress of his claws.
I am sorry this is so late and short. This was an evil chapter that didn't want to be written. pyschochick32 was wonderful to bounce ideas off of, thus allowing for the finish of this chapter. I am extremely busy now, so chapters will be erratic for a time, but I promise to continue if you all still want more. Things'll be picking up next chapter, and hopefully get more exciting as we go.
I also want to thank Patchcat and pyschochick for editing this chapter. Both are amazing in their talents, and kind enough to offer me assistance. Thank you both!!
To those who reviewed - THANK YOU!! To those I have had time to reply to - THANK YOU, TOO!!! I am sorry, but I will do my best to reply next time - I swear!! You all are amazing in supporting me, and I love you all for it.
Until next time,
Neisha