See? A little faster.

This chapter is RATED M for reasons that will soon be obvious. I warned you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Beauty Killed the Beast

Chapter Ten

Love is fair and love is kind – well, only in fairytales. As the night rages on, emotions run wild. It's a tricky thing, knowing what you want. It's even trickier once you've got it. This isn't a typical love story. Not everything goes as well as planned. Sometimes the heroes don't make it and the bad guys win.

For the life of her, Kagome couldn't fall asleep. It was like she was slowly crumpling up inside ever since the talk with her parents. A lot more happened then she expected, and most of it was crushing. Her and Inuyasha were no longer merged together, which left both of them the option of leaving the other. Kagome knew without a doubt that it was too late for her now. She loved him. She told him that she loved him. He hadn't answered. Inuyasha said at one point that he didn't have a choice – that it was her and only her.

What sobered her was the realization that he hadn't tried to find her after the talk. Her parents spoke to her about the war, what it meant for her and what it could mean if anything were to happen to them. Inuyasha and his parents had left after the announcement of Sesshomaru's death, her half-demon oddly impassive. At first, she thought their conversation had just taken a long time but that thought quickly vanished when she saw King and Queen Taisho walking around the castle without Inuyasha.

Sango had been there for her. Finding Kagome in her bedroom, her friend opened her arms and let her cry long and hard. They should've never left the forest. They should've stayed there and never come out.

"It's okay," Sango murmured, over and over. "I'm sure there's a lot more to it. I'm sure he's going to see you."

Kagome shook her head, terrified that she could be wrong. "Sango," she stuttered, "he's leaving. Inuyasha's leaving tomorrow. He has to fight in the war."

At this, Sango only hugged her tighter and let her cry. The Second Great Battle was in place. If history was to have anything to say, it was that blood would be everywhere. The Prophesy even said it was a battle of bloodshed. The more she thought about it, the more Kagome was positive this story didn't have a happy ending.

And now... Now she was in bed, all alone. Inuyasha hadn't come to see her. He hadn't spoken a word to her. He had just vanished. And he was leaving tomorrow, potentially forever, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Sitting up, frustrated with her head swimming miserably, Kagome stared at the far wall, watching the dull pink glow flicker. The Shikon No Tama still remained in her room, a silent guardian to her pain. She was still alone. Maybe she had to face the fact that she would be from now on.

Without warning, her bedroom door flew open and a shadow danced around her room. Kagome opened her mouth, about to scream at the intruder, her body springing off the bed to get away. Her mind screamed, danger danger, but just as her hand was in reaching distance of the door knob she was yanked back, her bare feet dragging along the hardwood floor.

The scream never left her lips. A rough hand covered her mouth and Kagome flew her elbows back, something she had done several times in the forest when fighting the bandits. It was then she heard the groan of her attacker.

"Goddamn," hoarsely grunted the intruder and Kagome sagged, turning around.

"Inuyasha? Please tell me it's not you."

"Fine. It's not me," Inuyasha whispered, kneeling to the ground, his body bent over. "My god, you're short."

Kagome watched as Inuyasha's dark form was hunched over her floor, obviously in pain. Stifling a laugh, she realized that she had hit him a little too hard where it hurt a little too much. "Are you okay?"

"What the hell do you think?" gasped Inuyasha, slowly trying to get up while using her bed as a crutch. Sitting on her bed, he took a deep breath and looked at her. Silence filled the room.

Kagome couldn't bear it. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you," Inuyasha answered softly, reaching out to her.

She took a step back, shaking her head. "Where were you all day?"

Inuyasha sighed. "Training. My father wanted me to get used to my weapon."

"You have a weapon now?"

"I always did," he said quietly. "Since I was born but I never used it. Now, I don't really have a choice."

"There's always a choice."

Inuyasha lowered his head, staring at the floor. "Not this time."

Kagome shook her head, feeling overly stupid that her eyes were starting to water. "So what? I'm never going to see you again? You leave tomorrow and that's it?"

Inuyasha looked up at her, standing stiffly and grabbing her wrists. "What the hell are you talking about Kagome?"

The tears started to really sting, really burn; Kagome hadn't felt more embarrassed. She was going to cry and she couldn't stop it. "There's nothing keeping us together now. You're not stuck with me anymore. I saw how you left, how you didn't even meet my gaze. Something changed."

"Kagome," Inuyasha said seriously, shaking his head and pulling her closer. She tried to fight him, to stop her sniffling, but she lost. "Of course something's changed. I have to rule an entire kingdom. I have my own region – not now, but soon. I have to fight in a war that we seem to be losing and there's nothing I can do about it. I don't have a choice. So yeah, something's changed."

The tears spilled over and Kagome sobbed, shaking her head. This was stupid. She shouldn't be crying. She shouldn't have expected anything. What she needed to do was kick him out and be alone and think about it. Think about what she was left with and what she was going to do. She did, after all, have her own region to rule shortly. "Okay. I get it. I-I'm going to bed so you can go now. You don't have to stay and I would really rather–"

Inuyasha's lips pressed against her, roughly, possessively and Kagome tried – lord did she try – to shut him out and forget about him. He was leaving and there was nothing she could do about it. Her body didn't listen. Her arms wrapped around him, her lips danced with his and while this happened, while she felt his warmth spread all over her she was still left cold with her tears running down her face.

Inuyasha turned her around, grabbing her hips and lifting her onto the bed. She pulled away but he held the back of her neck firmly, never letting her go. He crawled in beside her, pulling her body to his softly as he continued to ravish her lips, tasting every inch of her.

Suddenly, pain shot through his face when his cheek burned and Kagome sobbed out loud, her hand over her mouth. She had just slapped him, hard and she was still crying.

"Kagome, what's the matter? Are you still mad–?"

"Fuck you Beast, fuck you to hell," she spat, her voice still muffled by her hand. "You're leaving me for good, no promises and no ties and you still fucking want me to treat you like I did before? No way."

Inuyasha frowned, grabbing her back gently and holding her. "Kagome, what are you talking about? Do you seriously think that I'm going to abandon you?"

Kagome remained silent, pleading with her dark eyes for no more hurt.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, yes," Inuyasha started quietly, "but the moment that this war is over and the moment I can return, you are the first person I want to see. You are the first person I'm going to talk to and kiss and hold. I can't believe you think... Kagome, that hasn't changed – the way I feel about you hasn't budged. I don't give a rat's ass about the merger. I don't care that I have to rule a country. None of that – none of it – means anything if it stands between us. You are mine, Princess. I am not letting you go."

Kagome still felt the tears running down her face, but a slow smile crept up to her. Had she been wrong this entire time?

"Kagome, I told you that I can't have anyone else. I don't want anyone else."

"I only want you," she whispered quietly, her hand slowly reaching out to wrap around his body.

"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered back, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. "Don't you ever think otherwise about how I feel."

Kagome giggled slightly, smiling up at him. "I never knew you were such a romantic."

Inuyasha frowned. "One of the major reasons you should never think otherwise is because I will never speak like that again."

Slowly, they smiled at each other and Inuyasha traced his claws lightly down her side. "I'm going to come back," he murmured. "I'm not leaving you alone."

"I'll find you myself and kill you if you do," she responded, pointing a finger at his chest.

"I'll already be dead."

"I'll kill you again, then."

Inuyasha smirked. "Fair enough." Hands sliding up her body, Inuyasha toyed with her hair and pulled it back from her face. He soothed her, his thumb sliding over her cheeks to wipe the last of the wetness off. Leaning forwards, he captured her lips, pressing her mouth open with quiet reassurance.

Tangling her hands in his hair, she kissed him back. She held onto him, as if she would lose him at any second. It would only be a couple hours before he could potentially be gone for good. This night... Even if it was their last, she would make it worth it. She would make sure that she had something to always remember him by.

"Inuyasha, will you stay?" she mumbled against his lips.

Kissing her thoroughly, Inuyasha nodded, pulling her closer. Kagome squirmed slightly back, trying to finish what she was talking about. "If we get caught though we're screwed, you know that right? Beyond screwed."

Inuyasha continued to nod, slowly kissing down her jaw line to her neck and staying there, gently gliding his teeth over the smooth flesh.

"I can't emphasize enough how screwed we'd be," Kagome murmured; her voice slightly slurred as she tilted her head to allow him better access.

"Kagome, again, shut up," Inuyasha growled, kissing back up her neck and then landing on her lips, possessing her, taking her over. Kagome lost her train of thought, the reasons that he shouldn't be there, why he was even there in the first place... His hands were rough and warm on her body, her sleepwear so thin and yet far too constricting for her liking. His breath tickled her skin, sending waves of fire down her body, pooling at her core.

"Really dead," she panted, managing to utter out one last reason why he shouldn't stay, regardless of the fact she would never forgive herself if he actually left.

Inuyasha pulled away. "Do you want me to leave?"

Kagome shook her head instantly. "No, please don't. I'm just warning you. My father could murder you."

Inuyasha laughed silently, his smirk turning into a grin. "Maybe. You think that he'll kill me when I steal you away to be my queen in the West?"

For a moment, Kagome thought he was teasing. His smirk was still in place, but his eyes were dead serious. She hesitated, not knowing what to expect next. "Inuyasha..."

"Will you?" he asked softly. "Will you marry me?"

Kagome didn't know what to say. It had seemed... Today had been one of the worst days of her life and now... Now she was being proposed to, promised to, and it was all based on her own choice. Her parents were unaware of everything – the fact he was in her bedroom, the fact that he was proposing to her.

Inuyasha's hands slowly traced down her back, all the way to her hips and then around to her stomach. "I need a reason to come back, to make sure that I come back," he whispered. "And I want you to be that reason."

"I will be," Kagome promised quietly, her hand touching his face and pulling him close so that their lips brushed. "Of course I'll marry you. I love you."

"And I love you," Inuyasha murmured, closing the distance and kissing her fully, pulling her impossibly closer. It didn't take long before either of their self-control started to wilt away, the hands searching, minds racing towards one thought and one need.

Kagome peeled off his shirt, letting him remove his arms from her so that he could help her. Her hands gingerly touched his body, the ripples and curves of muscle trembled under her fingers as she explored every inch. Dragging away from his lips on hers, she slowly sat up and kissed all the way down his body, her small hands trailing a path behind her sweet lips.

Inuyasha shuddered, the clothing on her body irritating him to no end as he grabbed the bottom and pulled – the lower she slid down his body the more it came off. Kagome, free of her nightgown looked up into his face, pushing his body down completely so that he was on his back facing her. She smiled.

"Come here," he murmured huskily, reaching out for her before she had time to respond. The moment she was there, her legs on either side of him and her hands framing his face, his claws scratched her body from her shoulders to her hips; officially destroying the last of her clothing.

"I need those," Kagome commented, barely complaining.

"Not right now you don't," he retorted, arching up to kiss her while his hands pulled her hips down on top of his.

She sighed, stifling a moan as she felt his length bulging through the cotton fabric of his sweats. She felt his kisses crawl down her body, down the valley of her breasts while his hands sensually slid up. Biting her lip and pulling away, she gave him a sly smile as she crawled backward; grasping the band of his pants and making them slip over his hips, down his legs and completely off. Clothing scattered on the floor, there was no more hesitation, no more self-control to be proper and dutiful to the rules they were given.

Kagome bit her lower lip, eyeing him entirely before kissing just below his navel. Trails of hot kisses burned through Inuyasha, driving him crazy as his hands found her hair, pushing back the tresses. He was taken completely when he felt her lips wrap around his cock, tongue swirling and tasting while he attempted to stifle the moan that made its way out. She drove him absolutely insane. Her mouth encircled him, sliding up and down, going faster and faster. Her tongue raced with her, circling at the top, sucking him down until he couldn't take much more.

He grabbed her head gently, pulling her up and her wide eyes gazed at him confused. Inuyasha gave her a smirk, using his hands to move her forwards and push her down. Her body on top of his was perfectly in sync, and the sigh that came out of her thoroughly-kissed lips made Inuyasha wild.

He flipped their bodies, bracing himself to not crush her and kissed her passionately. Tongues danced and he could taste every inch of her, memorizing her. He didn't want to leave. He didn't ever want to leave.

Large hands encircled her breasts and his kisses left trails of wetness down her body. He continued to explore her, to taste every bit of her, all the while memorizing every curve, texture, sweetness. Slowly, he came back, hands braced around her as he looked into her face, all pink and hot and sexy.

"You're beautiful," he whispered in her ear, his hot breath tickling her and sending every nerve-ending on fire. She moaned, touching him, holding him as close as he could possibly be. His hardness was a reminder of what could be happening – should be happening – and she was close to begging him to hurry the hell up.

Without warning, one of his clawed hands traced intricate patterns down her body, sparking everything inside her until he reached her core, pushing in gently, feeling her tightness. The moan of pleasure that escaped her lips was too loud, far too loud, and he silenced her by kissing her, adding another finger and pumping.

"Shh," he whispered, watching as Kagome panted beneath him. She was by far the sexiest, hottest woman he knew and while he watched her reach higher and higher to bliss, he couldn't imagine anything more wild and enticing.

She touched him all over, her hands scratching his back lightly and feeling more drawn, more desirable than ever before. He pulled out of her and she looked up at him, watching his golden eyes as he gauged hers.

"I love you," she whispered, arching up to kiss his lips as he positioned himself above her.

It was so much better, so much easier and so much more loving than before. He filled her, taking every bit of her with him as he slid in and out, his rhythm strong and powerful while he ravished her neck. Kagome never felt as good as she wrapped her legs around him, holding him closer and meeting his thrusts each time, her arms locked around his shoulders. She could feel the hot glide of his mouth as it played with her neck, his teeth brushing against the soft skin and she knew, in that moment – that instant – what she wanted.

"Mark me," she panted, turning her head to look at him. "Take me."

It took only a second for him to understand what she meant, and to see how much she wanted what she said. He kissed her roughly; need and desperation laced with the tenderness of his touch and it only took him a moment before he started back down her body, back to her neck.

His thrusts deepened, her pants quickened and she could feel his heart beat in his chest – her chest – as his teeth nipped, teasing her, toying with her. What happened next forced Kagome to the edge, his teeth sinking into her, pleasure mixed with pain and he became rougher, more possessive. She felt the heat within her start to burst, her body climbing with each thrust, each lick and soon she was almost there, so close, so close and holding onto him like she would never – could never – let him go.

Her cries muffled by his shoulder, she let herself fall into pleasure as Inuyasha pushed in, out, in and then growled, falling beside her. For moments they didn't move, not wanting to lose the heat of the other. Slowly he let go of her, pulling out and away to lie beside her. His clawed hand ran through her wild hair, tossing it to the side as he inspected her neck. "You okay?" he asked quietly, reaching over to kiss the bite mark forever marked on her skin.

Kagome winced slightly, the pain starting to rise from the aftershocks of their time making love. It was more like a dull throb though, aching but not killing. She nodded and smiled. "So does that mean...?"

"You're mine forever," he whispered, his face tense. He was waiting for the moment that she would throw a fit, get angry, and want him to take it all back. Washing all of his fears away though, Kagome tilted her face up to capture him in a long, heady kiss. The promise of more kisses and more love evident.

"So what do we do now?" Kagome murmured, running her hands down his chest. "I mean, do we wait until you come back before we tell them or–?"

Inuyasha startled her by starting to laugh quietly, shaking his head. "Oh no. Oh god no. Kagome, my old man is a demon. He knows about what happened between us in the forest. He can smell me all over you."

"But you were with me the entire–" She was silenced by Inuyasha's finger on her lips, keeping her quiet.

"It's a different kind of smell," he explained patiently. "So there's no getting out of it. He's going to know you're marked by me from down the hall, and he's going to know it happened tonight."

Kagome looked horrified. "Will he say anything to my parents? I don't want you dead."

Shaking his head, Inuyasha reassured her that InuTaisho wouldn't say anything and whatever lies they made up to Akira and Naomi wouldn't be challenged. "I'll just have to talk to him afterwards, and hope he doesn't kill me."

Kagome sighed. "Reassuring."

"Don't worry," he whispered. "I'm not going anywhere, remember?"

Kagome nodded and huddled closer to his body, feeling his arm wrap around her naked body as she slowly lulled to sleep. "I love you," she breathed, already on the way to unconsciousness.

"I love you too," Inuyasha replied and together, they fell asleep.

"Are you sure?" Kagome asked for the hundredth time. "Your father won't say anything?"

Inuyasha sighed in frustration, giving her a pointed glare. "You've been my mate for only a few hours and you already doubt me."

Kagome smiled and grabbed his hand, leaning her weight on him to push him sideways.

"What was that for?" he asked, smirking at her.

"I like it, mate," Kagome replied and grinned wickedly. "It's better than the Beast."

"You sure un-Princess?"

"You made that up," Kagome accused. "I asked Sango."

Inuyasha sighed. "Like they're going to tell your personal maid all the cruel nicknames they call you."

Rolling her eyes, Kagome prepared herself for entering the living space where her parents and Inuyasha's parents were. She wondered what they'd think. At first, they were the reason for all of this but now that they took it away, would it be okay or not okay?

"Well, my old man already knows," Inuyasha whispered, smirking at her.

"Oh, shut up," Kagome hissed.

Inuyasha had been right. The moment that the doors opened, InuTaisho's eyes were on them. Kagome suddenly felt squeamish, wondering how good or bad this could turn out. But really, what was the worst that could happen?

They could say no.

Kagome thought about it for a moment, creating the instantaneous backup plan that they could just run away into the forest and become tree people, or something like that.

The room was sullen, still upset over the news of Sesshomaru's death. Izayoi's head was down, Naomi was patting her back, and the two kings talked quietly to one another. As they further entered, the entire mood shifted from sadness to attentiveness. Kagome wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

King Higurashi noticed InuTaisho's direct gaze and followed it, zeroing in on Inuyasha and Kagome's held hands. "I assume," the king started, "that you have something to tell us."

Immediately Naomi and Izayoi looked; both eyes wide and then their smiles literally broke their faces off. It was scary to see and Kagome wasn't sure if she was more scared at the happiness of her mother and Izayoi or more terrified by the glares of her father and InuTaisho.

Kagome, so scared by the silence, forced herself to speak up. "Mother, Father, King and Queen Taisho: Inuyasha and I have decided that regardless of the withdrawal of the merger, we still wish to get married."

"We are getting married," Inuyasha corrected, holding onto her tightly. If Kagome didn't know any better, she'd say that he was just as terrified as she was.

"And you know," InuTaisho said slowly, coldly, "that we make these decisions?"

"It's not for you to decide," Akira added, looking at both of them. "What even brought this on?"

Kagome stared at her father, completely mortified and angered by the words he spoke. How dare he even suggest that something as important as marriage and love was not for her to decide? When she ruled, parents wouldn't make the decisions. "Personally, I think that if there's anything that we should decide on our own, this would be it," Kagome exclaimed, frowning. "And how this came to be is between Inuyasha and I."

Naomi looked at Akira and then back to her daughter, worriedly. "Akira, calm down," she whispered, stepping closer to him. "We should talk about this as a family."

"All of us," Izayoi added, looking at InuTaisho.

InuTaisho remained motionless, the expression on his face completely impassive as he continued to watch the couple standing at the doorway. While Akira and Naomi battled words quietly to each other, Izayoi backed up Naomi and InuTaisho just...watched. It was unnerving and Kagome felt like she wanted to sink into the floorboards and disappear. Why had this all of a sudden been such a big deal? The parents were the ones in the beginning that wanted it so bad! And now that she actually desired this relationship they wanted to take it away from her.

"I give you my blessings." The cold words sliced through the air, causing the other three adults into silence as InuTaisho walked towards them. He raised his eyebrow at Inuyasha. "I thought I had a better leash on you."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "That's the worst pun ever."

InuTaisho glared at him.

"I had to," Inuyasha replied after a minute's hesitation, the room still quiet as the rest observed. "I didn't have a choice."

Izayoi gasped, looking from Kagome and Inuyasha with a wicked smile. "Oh my goodness, you actually found her? Yay! So this has to occur anyways!"

"What has to occur anyways?" Akira roared, looking around the room. "Has everyone lost their minds? We are in the middle of a war! This is no time to be discussing wedding dates and you two should have consulted with us first!"

"There is no consulting," Kagome fought back, for the first time in her life arguing against her father. Usually, this was the tight situation she was always in with her mother, but her father? "I love him."

InuTaisho sighed. "You're so lucky," he murmured to Inuyasha, "that you could even get her near you. That desire is so rarely found, never mind mutual."

"Don't you have any faith?"

Akira shook his head. "Kagome, I want to speak with you now."

"No," Kagome spoke immediately. "My mind's made up and there's nothing you can d about it."

"There sure as hell is," Akira argued back.

InuTaisho, to everyone's surprise, stepped in between the two. "Akira, we need to talk about this. There is a lot more to this than you know."

"Like what?" the king asked, clearly unhappy with InuTaisho interfering.

Sighing, the dog-demon ruler walked over to Kagome and flipped back her hair, pointing to the bite mark on her neck. "Their mates, Akira. That literally means to us, to our culture, that there's nothing you can do."

When Akira finally gave in, repeatedly saying that it was only because he had realized what that meant for his little girl. His little girl was leaving him.

Inuyasha left that night, all dressed and ready to go. He stood by the doorway with Kagome, kissing her gently and wiping away her tears. "I promised, remember? I'm coming back, just for you. I will never leave you."

Kagome nodded, needing to believe in him.

Three days later, a messenger came to the castle door, his face red and his palms sweaty. The maids had answered it, calling down the royal leaders. It was about the war.

Inuyasha, Kagome had instantly thought and she raced down the stairs, nearly tripping over her dress, just in time to hear the news.

The news that Inuyasha – her mate, her love – was dead.

Killing the main character probably wasn't in my best interests. Whoopsie-daisies.

The funniest part is that you won't know what happens until the next chapter, whenever I happen to post that. Would I be pushing it to ask for reviews?

...I'm hilarious. I know. Please review and I PROMISE to have it up soon.