Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor Yu Yu Hakusho
"Sesshomaru… Jin…" Keishan's fierce stare softened. She then put on an annoyed face. "I assume you want to talk, right?"
"How could you let him do that to ya?" Jin asked.
"Since it's my fate, it was going to happen sooner or later."
"But he marked you—physically marked you!" Jin stated. "The next step is-"
"Did he kiss you?" Sesshomaru interrupted.
"Yes, he did. After he bit me, he kissed me twice."
"And you allowed yourself to-"
"If you were in my position, could you fend off Naraku?" Keishan crossed her arms. "At the moment, I am something similar to a young demon with no control over my abilities. Naraku could have done far worse than kiss me." Sesshomaru was silent. "What I want to know is what he meant by more connected. Do his words hold significance?" Jin sucked in a breath, yet did not say a word. Keishan's brown eyes turned to the demon lord. "Sesshomaru…? I need to know now."
"Naraku has physically laid claim on you. By biting you, you are his. The mark will not fade," Sesshomaru bit out. "He said more connected because you two have an emotional attachment now. Unlike Jin and I, who did not bit you, Naraku has created a bond that will never be broken. Although, we know that you are our intended mate, we are not official. I'm sure you didn't realize, but Naraku and yourself exchanged blood. When he bit you, he must have pierced his own flesh. That Naraku… I didn't think he knew of demon mating rituals. He… has your affections."
"He has nothing!" Keishan protested.
"Do not deny it!" Sesshomaru bared his fangs, causing the female to take a step back. "The bond between mates is stronger than you know. It would be utterly ridiculous for you not to have feelings for him now."
"I…" Keishan bit the inside of her mouth. "I didn't ask for this." She moved to leave. Shit—her eyes were stinging. She kept her head down as she moved toward the door. The female demon was just about to open the door, but before she could, her wrist was grabbed. "Let go of me," she said. "I have to think about this."
"No, there is no need."
She was pulled back against his hard armor. "Ouch! What the he-" Sesshomaru practically ripped the clothing from her shoulder. His fangs sank into her flesh. A strangled gasp escaped her mouth. She squeezed her eyes shut and gritted her teeth as the pain worsened. Keishan fell to the ground, yet Sesshomaru kept a firm grip on her upper arms. He dropped to his knees as well, biting harder than before. The female demon could no longer hold back the scream. Why did it hurt more than Naraku's? Finally, after what seemed like hours, Sesshomaru released her. Keishan collapsed on the floor, panting heavily. The demon lord stood up and wiped his chin with the back of his hand.
Slowly, Keishan lifted herself into a sitting position. She stared at Sesshomaru through clouded eyes. She appeared intoxicated. She slowly blinked before bowing her head. "You belong to me now," Sesshomaru stated. "From this point on-"
"I will deny you," Keishan interrupted. The demon lord narrowed his eyes. "For what you did just now, you are no better than Naraku."
"How dare you belittle this Sesshomaru…?"
Her shoulders trembled. "This Sesshomaru…? Where are the other ones—in the closet?" Brown eyes glared fiercely at the dog demon. At his shocked expression, she lowered her head again. "How dare you belittle me! I never thought I would say this, but I hate you for what you've done to me, Lord Sesshomaru," Keishan whispered. Her fingers curled into fists. "You dominated me when you didn't need to. You forced me when you didn't have to. If there's one thing I absolutely hate, then it's being seen as inferior." Finally, the foreign demon stood. "I will deny you," she repeated.
"Careful with your words," Sesshomaru told her. "This bond of ours cannot be broken simply because of what you hate or love."
"I will not allow you to touch me," Keishan continued as if she did not hear him. "Never again without my permission will you kiss me." The demon lord outright growled at her defiance. "From this point on," she mocked. "You are nothing to me." The white of his eyes actually turned red. Sesshomaru had become livid.
"You dare to refuse me?" he snarled. Keishan took a couple of steps back, glaring, yet afraid. Sesshomaru stepped closer, causing the female demon to move back again. She was stopped by Jin. He had held her elbows in a comforting gesture. She looked up, yet his blue eyes were on the furious dog demon.
"That's enough," he said. "She's already been through a lot. Calm down, will ya?" Sesshomaru's growls gradually faded until they completely stopped. The redness disappeared from his eyes as well. His impassive face returned.
"Ridiculous," he muttered, moving around the two. He slid the door shut behind him, leaving without another glance.
Keishan instantly relaxed. She nearly fell to the floor. Fortunately, Jin was there to catch her. She released a heavy sigh. Sesshomaru's presence had been stifling. Jin did not say anything. He merely rubbed her biceps with his thumbs, and licked the blood away. Keishan closed her eyes. It felt as though her throat was constricting. Jin's comfort worked, though. She felt like crying, but the warmth she felt from the wind master kept her tears at bay.
Once he was finished 'cleaning,' Jin rested his face on the other side of her neck, where his mark was. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "You're not okay, are you?" Keishan shook her head. The red head wrapped his arms around her and dropped down to the floor, taking her with him. "This is hard for you, I know, but you have my word I won't force you." She did not respond to his declaration.
For a time, the two demons merely sat there not speaking. Nearly an hour later, Keishan finally moved away. Still in a sitting position, she turned to Jin. "As a woman who would rather die than be controlled, this is hard for me." She rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. "Forgive me for my nature." Jin crawled over to the clearly shaken female. He lightly touched her wrist. She did not pull away. Frowning, he wrapped his fingers around her forearm. The red head kissed the inside of her wrist, feeling her pulse with his lips.
"There is nothing to forgive. Your nature is what makes you endearing," Jin said. His blue eyes took a glance up. To his surprise and joy, she was giving him a small smile.
"Jin… Right now, you are the one I most want to be with," she stated.
"Keishan…" Jin released her arm, and then cupped her cheeks. He pressed his forehead against hers. "I don't like seeing you like this." The woman frowned lightly, staring into Jin's blue eyes. "Could I…?" His lips were centimeters away. Keishan's eyebrows knitted together, hesitating for a moment before closing the distance between their lips. Jin led her in a soft, gentle kiss.
"Is it okay… to fall in love with this one, foolish pride?" Keishan felt his arms wrap around here again. He pulled her closer, into his lap. Jin licked her bottom lip and she complied, opening her mouth for him. "He's neither Sesshomaru nor Naraku… I want Jin." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Suddenly a loud crash caused the two to pull apart. Blushing red, they moved to stand. "What was that?" Jin murmured, looking toward the door.
"Die!" yelled Sesshomaru's voice from afar.
"Do you not listen, Lord Sesshomaru? If I die, then she dies as well," the smooth voice of Naraku followed soon after. Keishan's eye twitched in agitation. The commotion outside stopped.
"I am so through! They can kill each other for all I care!" Keishan yelled, heading towards the door. A firm grip on her shoulder stopped her. "Jin…"
"They don't lie when it comes to bonding," he stated. "Your sadness over their deaths will eat you on the inside until you follow them. Even if you are mad at them, be the bigger demon now." Keishan clicked her tongue. Her eye twitched. Why did the people around her have to be so irritating? And why did she just hear Nicole moan in the room across the hall? Her body shuddered, just thinking about it.
"Troublesome…" she murmured.
0-0
Nicole was in the process of trying to fend of a winged wolf trying to slobber all over her face.
"God damned mutt!" Nicole exclaimed. "That's the last damn time you get deer jerky! Damn it, Yoko, why'd ya have to go and do that. "
Yoko and Kuronue tried to stifle their grins unsuccessfully.
The 'mutt' in question stepped back, tossing her head up, and giving a yelp realizing the threat being given. She promptly gave up on to slobber on Nicole's face.
Yoko and Kuronue promptly burst out laughing at the terrified look on Keia's face.
"Gods," Yoko said, gasping for air.
"That-is-so-fucking-funny!" Kuronue said between laughs.
Nicole just glared at them both.
Keia looked over to Yoko, standing on her hind legs wings flapping to keep balance on her hind legs and yipping at Yoko in hopes for another treat.
Yoko laughed and chucked a three foot femur bone to her. Catching the bone in her teeth, she ran over to the bed against the back wall of the room, opposite the door, laid down and began gnawing happily on the bone. The bed sagged under her weight.
Nicole looked at her friend and sighed. Things were just getting good before Keia had barged in. Speaking of friend, Keishan was still mad at her. Great, another problem to plague her mind just when things were starting to look up for her too. Her fox ears drooped at the top of her head. She hated when they got into arguments. She walked over to the door intending to leave when a hand grabbed her wrist.
"What's wrong?" Kuronue asked in a smooth worried voice.
"I just need some space," Nicole whispered causing Keia to whine. Kuronue stood there for a few moments contemplating on if he should let her go alone or not. He didn't want to smother her, but he didn't want her to feel like he didn't care either. He looked at Yoko for guidance on how to handle this situation. The fox looked thoughtful for a moment then nodded in approval. If she needed space then she should get it. Reluctantly Kuronue released her hand and she turned to give him a quick hug before turning to walk out of the room closing the door behind her.
A shredding noise was heard along with the sound of the rearranging of bones, muscles, and tendons. She had taken up her animal form. Kuronue and Yoko turned to look at Keia. Yoko walked over to her and stooped down so he could be eye level. Keia looked at him questionably when he put a hand on her head.
"I want you to go and keep an eye on her. I don't know where she is going, but with her changing forms, I'm assuming that she is leaving the castle," Yoko whispered in case Nicole was nearby. Keia nodded, gnawed on the bone a few more times and jumped off the bed. Kuronue opened to door for her departure and she left.
0-0
Nicole ran through the castle swiftly and quietly with the intent of making it outside. The castle was still fairly unfamiliar to her, but she would find a way out. She didn't want to go out the front door because she'd be seen leaving, she wasn't in the mood for interrogations or followers. In fact, she could hear an ongoing argument between Sesshomaru and Naraku. There had to be a back door somewhere. After many long corridors, twists, and turns she came upon a large sliding door. She stood on her hind legs and pawed at the opening in the middle and after a few attempts it slid open a little. She stuck her muzzle in the small crack and walked forward to further open the door.
The sight before Nicole was amazing. There was an enormous garden, with tons of exotic flowers that varied in color, encased in a wooden fence. She stood in awe with her tail wagging slowly. The scent reminded her of Yoko and Kurama. She looked down the hallway from where she just came and whined before running out into the garden.
There had to be an exit somewhere. She ran alongside the fence in the hopes of a hidden door. When there was none she attempted to run and jump over the top. Being that the wooden enclosure was about five times her height she didn't succeed. Finally after a few failed attempts she paced around the garden contemplating her next move. She noticed a slanted boulder close to the fence and barked happily. She aligned herself with the boulder and ran at it to build up speed and momentum. She successfully ran up the slope and jumped over the top of the fence only to land incorrectly on her front right paw. She felt a few bones in her paw and leg crack and whimpered at the pain. It would slow her down tremendously, but it would not stop her. She licked at it a few times before continuing on three paws.
Nicole loved being in her animal form. When she was in this form she felt free, untamed. She didn't have the worries that came with being human because animals didn't have emotions. She didn't have the ability to worry about her friend being mad at her nor was able to worry about the commitment that she had just made to her soon-to-be mates. Right now it was just her, the forest, and the wind playing through her fur. She had altogether forgotten about the injury that she just obtained. Nothing could ruin her current state of elation.
After a while of running Nicole sensed Kagura and Sniper not too far in the distance. Curiosity got the best of her and she slowed her awkward run into a three legged limp. She advanced slowly until the two were within sight. She crouched into some nearby bushes noiselessly and listened to their conversation.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you now?" Sniper asked venomously.
"Because I need you," Kagura pleaded keeping a safe distance causing Kaname to quirk an eyebrow with confusion at her bold statement.
"We've never met before and you need me?"
"You can kill Naraku," Kagura responded.
"How does that help you?"
"He holds my life in his hands. I want you to rid me of him," Kagura said hopeful.
"Oh no!" Nicole thought. "If he kills Naraku, Keishan's screwed! What should I do if Sniper agrees?" Her ears twitched lightly, straining them to pick up sounds better.
For a moment, Kaname did not speak. "You… You are his demon?" he questioned. Kagura clenched her teeth. She reluctantly nodded her head. "And you want me to kill him?"
"Yes… Even though you are human, you have the strength to beat him." Her red eyes fell to the ground. "I want to be free. Grant me my wish, and I shall help you as well." The man scoffed.
"What could I want with a demon like you? What can I get in return that is actually valuable to me?"
"I'm only asking you to kill him!" Kagura sounded a bit miffed. "Since you're capable-"
"What if I don't feel like killing now?"
"What?"
"What if I kill him and you have to serve under me? Will you rather as me as a master than Naraku?" Sniper asked. The wind witch looked just about ready to snap. Kaname chuckled lightly. "It's your decision, demon. It doesn't matter what you choose."
"Why do you want me?"
"It's gets tiring walking around this never ending forest. You'd make an excellent form of transportation."
"Why you stupid-"
Nicole could no longer hear the rest of the conversation. Fangs bit into her neck and dragged her away. This happened so quickly that she barely comprehended what was going on. Finally, she was released. She glared at the offender before realizing it was only Keia. "What were you doing?" she growled. "Don't you know it's dangerous for you?"
"Hey! I was spying for our benefit! Kagura was trying to coax Sniper into killing Naraku! If he dies, our friend does, too!" For a moment, Keia merely stared at Nicole, and then burst into laughter. "Grrrr…! What the hell is so funny?"
"Your voice…! It's so funny! I'll never get used to it!"
"Stop laughing! This is serious!" Nicole yelled and Keia barked back a laugh.
"Who is there!" Kagura yelled, hearing the girls. They both ran side by side towards the direction of the castle. Nicole was once again awkwardly running on three legs and Keia noticed. After covering a safe distance, Keia stopped causing Nicole to stop and tilt her head in question.
"What happened to your right leg?" Keia asked, poking at it with a paw. Nicole snatched it back with a growl.
"Damn it, sissy! We let you go for a few seconds and you go and get injured. What happened?"
"Well, you see what had happened was…"
"This isn't a time for jokes!" Keia growled threateningly. Nicole's ears flattened at the top of her head.
"It happened when I jumped the fence in the back of the castle."
"You know you are too clumsy to try that. Oh man, oh man, this is bad, real bad," Keia said pacing back and fourth. Nicole took this as an opportunity to run. She bolted away with a growling Keia on her heels. They ran like this for some time until they got close to the castle. Nicole jumped out of the forest, landing on Kuronue accidentally.
"She's gonna eat me!" Nicole yelled before trying to run off again. An arm wrapped around her waist pulling her off her feet. She struggled until the scent of wild flowers reached her nose. She looked up into the golden gaze of Yoko, he didn't look too pleased. She ceased her struggles and Yoko carried her into the castle with Kuronue following. When they reached the room that they had previously occupied Yoko sat her on the bed and Kuronue closed the door behind them.
"How did you get hurt?" Yoko asked clearly upset over the matter. Nicole stared at him for some time before answering.
"Well, you see what had happened w-"
"This is no time for jokes," Yoko interrupted and Nicole whimpered. What was it with Keia and him?
"You are no fun," Nicole answered sheepishly.
"This is your health that we are speaking of. You are hurt. There is no fun in that, now answer my question."
"I jumped over a wall that was too tall." Nicole said, avoiding his gaze.
"What were you thinking? You could have killed yourself. Why didn't you come back immediately after injuring yourself?"
"I know, but get this, Kagura and Sniper are plotting against Naraku," Nicole said trying to change the subject. Yoko glared at her and she scooted back.
"What were you doing with Sniper and Kagura? Do you understand how dangerous that was for you? They could have killed you!" Yoko said infuriated.
"I know that, but what of Keishan!"
"We will talk about that later, change back into your humanoid form," Yoko ordered.
"But I will be all nakey," Nicole whined. Kuronue laughed and Yoko looked at him making him stop.
"And your injury needs to be healed, change back."
"But Keishan needs to know about this first, please," Nicole pleaded giving the best puppy dog eyes that she could produce.
"Fine," Yoko gave in unable to resist Nicole anything.
"Keishan, get your ass in here, now!" Nicole yelled. However, what she heard was something unexpected. "Was… Was that a very loud and obnoxious moan…?"
0-0
"Oh, Jin, yes…! Harder!" Keishan bit her lip, and then gripped the floorboards, leaving claw marks. She shuddered, almost violently. The red head panted, almost exhausted. It had taken a very long time to take her down. His hands roamed again, causing another groan to erupt from her lips. "I… I can't take it anymore! Stop, stop right—mmm, Jin!" The wind master lowered his lips to her ear.
"Are you sure you're relaxed now?" he whispered. Keishan slowly nodded her head. Without another word, Jin floated off the female demon. She turned over, pressing the back of her hand against her forehead. She panted heavily as Jin looked down at her with a wide grin. "Who knew that a simple massage would do that to ya?" Keishan chuckled lightly, sitting up a bit.
"It's hard to belief, but actually my skin is pretty sensitive when it comes to touching,"
Jin floated down to her eye level. "Are you reading to talk it out with those guys now?" he asked. Keishan scoffed and turned her head. "You promised!"
"I know, I know!" She pressed her lips into a thin line. "If they start fighting again, I will intervene." Her statement was accompanied by an eye roll. Suddenly, her friend slid the door open, looking quite frantic. Keishan blinked, realizing that she was not alone. Her eyebrow twitched. "Can I help you?" she asked, moving to stand up.
"Oh… I thought… um… never mind," Nicole murmured. Keishan scowled and demanded why she was in her chipmunk form—to which Nicole began irritated—and why she came barging in. "For your information, I just heard that Kagura is planning on helping Sniper to kill you!"
"Eh…? What the hell did I do?"
"Wait, no…! I mean those two are planning on killing Naraku, so that means you die, too!" Nicole amended. Keishan gave her friend a sour expression. She walked over to the kitsune, and then slammed her fist down on Nicole's head. "Ow! What the hell?" she whimpered.
"Say that clearly next, you idiot!" Keishan shouted. "Couldn't you see we were in a middle of a conversation? Rude!"
"How can you be so nonchalant about this?"
"Naraku's not gonna die, okay? The guy has the regenerative powers of worm. He's not going to just keel over just because of some human. He might get beat up, though," she murmured thoughtfully.
"But-!"
"Hey, now… He's my problem, and I'll deal with it when the time comes," she interrupted. The foreign demon shrugged her shoulders. "I'm a reluctant mate, but that doesn't change the fact that I am his mate… and that asshole, Sesshomaru's mate, too…" At Nicole's horrified and confused expression, Keishan sighed. "It's a long story. I'll explain it to you later. For now, let me do what I think is best, ne?" Nicole, whimpering, nodded her head in agreement. "Now… Please change back to you humanoid form. I can't hold back my laughter anymore."
Nicole almost attacked her friend in fury.
A/N: Reviews are appreciated