Wow! The response to the mental turmoil was so much more positive than I imagined. I'm almost sorry that Kagome has to get better :) Alas, her turmoil is coming to an end thanks to certain Inu.
Read. Rate. Review. Be jolly and enjoy mandarin oranges and fake bacon!
"You're quite the handful, aren't you?"
Kagome looked over at the demon sitting in the corner of the room. He was the picture of peace; his white button down was rolled up at the sleeve and his hair was out of its usual ponytail. He was sitting with his back straight as he read a newspaper. Kagome flushed. She didn't remember everything that had happened but she could vaguely recall feeling his demonic energy while she had lost control over her own reiki. She wasn't aware of how she got to, from the look of things, his home. She came to the unwelcome conclusion that he had seen her in her panicked state. She looked away from him and pulled her legs to her chest. She took some solace in being covered by a thick blanket.
"I don't really see how that's your concern," she mumbled more to herself than to him. She was more than a little mortified.
"It became my concern when you let your spiritual energy control you and panicked the demon inhabitants of this region. They were quite excited," he said calmly. It stung nonetheless.
"It wasn't on purpose," she said sending him a glare.
"Of that much I am aware." He folded the newspaper neatly and stood, placing it on the end table next to the chair. "However, what eludes me is why you would be so foolish as to exhaust yourself to the point that you would lose control."
She was ashamed and her face showed it. Her cheeks were hot and she looked down at her knees. Once again, she was struck by how knobby they appeared, even under the duvet. It was horrifying each time she took the time to look at herself. She wasn't stupid enough to be oblivious to what she was doing to her body. She was all sharp angles and cold skin at the moment. She knew it was her own fault that her reiki had exploded the way it had. Her own physical strength was near non-existent currently and her emotional stability was nowhere to be found. Miroku had just pushed her over the edge, not that she could blame him for the choice he made. She was stupid to have taken another job and try to keep it a secret.
"It wasn't my intention to exhaust myself."
"Surely you are intelligent enough to see what you are doing to yourself."
"I'm not stupid if that's what you're implying!" she hissed out before adding quietly, "I have my reasons...at least, I thought I did."
His eyebrow quirked. He looked amused. She felt the urge to punch him rise. Was he seriously amused at her inner dispute? What a prick! A really, really hot prick who was incredibly smart and charming. Damn him! She couldn't get enough of his stupid smug face. She knew his sons looked similar to him but it was strange how different they were. Inuyasha would be yelling right now and Sesshormaru would simply be glaring and looking down his nose at her. Taisho seemed to be trying to understand how she had let herself get this far and was perhaps amused to see that despite being a shell of herself she was still able to fire back. She was however reminded by that thought that he was, in fact, her best friend's father and an ancient demon. It was fine to fantasize, maybe even fool around a little bit but she was not about to let herself get sucked into another demon who had no intention of offering his heart to her.
"I appreciate your help. I'll be on my way now." She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. Or rather, she tried to stand. The floor seemed to have an immediate desire to rush towards her face.
She was being held in warm strong arms. She hadn't realized her body was tense until she felt his demonic energy roll over her. Her body seemed to relax. She laid her head on his chest and felt an overwhelming urge to cry. She couldn't go back, she couldn't seem to move forward without causing harm and she certainly couldn't stay as she was. She wanted to give up. She wanted to cry but she didn't think there was anything left. There was a sense of serenity and home in his arms. It was so warm. It was too good. She closed her eyes and relished it for a brief moment.
"You really are troublesome," he mumbled in a rough voice that made her shiver.
"I don't recall asking for your opinion," she mumbled back as she pressed her face a little closer to his chest. Just a little longer couldn't hurt, right?
"Never the less, you shall get it." he said as his hands began to stroke through her hair. She mindlessly leaned towards the touch. She urged herself to remember all the reasons not to. Nothing came to mind. She had spent weeks trying to escape her own attraction, telling herself it was wrong on so many levels. Yet, somehow, here in his arms nothing felt more right. "You push yourself too much for a human."
She wanted to agree. She knew damn well that she pushed herself beyond her own limits. She was trying to compete with demons that were nowhere to be found. Her own restlessness and inability to adjust was wrecking havoc on her body and psyche. She didn't want to admit it. Not to herself and certainly not to him. She refused to say that she was struggling to adjust, that she was terrified of not reaching the goals she had set for herself despite not knowing if it was right anymore, that she was no longer sure of anything. Her fear of Shippo not wanting to come with her was the greatest. It was why she was so determined to find the right home, to have all the money she needed. She couldn't say it aloud. Not to a man, a demon, who was so incredibly strong.
There were so many things she had done wrong because of her overwhelming fear. She couldn't bring herself to care anymore. It would all be waiting when she left his arms. She pressed her face more firmly into his chest. She was so close and he smelled so good. She would let herself have this moment a little longer. She was leaning heavily on him. Her legs were still weak. He was so solid under her, so strong. She felt his power everywhere around her. It never ceased to calm her rattled nerves.
"You must rest more," he said quietly, his chest rumbling as he spoke.
Her thoughts slipped out before she could stop herself, "Lay with me?"
She regretted it for a brief moment until he was sweeping her up and laying her once again on the bed. He was next to her before she could take it back. They lay face to face. His arms were wrapped around her and she relished his heat. She closed her eyes. Her head felt light and her eyes felt heavy. She focus on his breathing. It was slow and rhythmic. Was he asleep already? She opened her eyes again. His eyes were closed but she knew very well that he was very much awake. She swallowed. His features were even finer up close. It was practically devastating. She closed her eyes again, willing herself to go to sleep, to stop fantasizing about the heavenly being before her.
Minutes passed like hours. Sleep wouldn't come, despite her great level of relaxation. She hadn't been this comfortable since the last time she was with him.
"You are not sleeping."
She opened her eyes and chestnut met gold. Her throat went dry. His gaze was intense. It made her heart race. She felt her cheeks fill with blood. "I can't sleep," she mumbled before looking away.
"Shall I help you relax?"
The sultry tone was enough to fill her with anticipation. She looked back at him and her eyes flicked down to his lips. She was hungry for him in ways that she didn't understand. She wanted to feel him around her, inside her. She wanted to touch and be touched. All the reasons she shouldn't want him were outweighed by the way it felt to be with him. She was nodding once before she could convince herself not to. His face transformed. Where there was once serenity there was now passion and fire.
"Good girl," he said simply.
What followed was ecstasy.
She's slowly giving into her desire! Sexy times in the next chapter and some life changes! Thank you so much for reading and a big thank you to the reviewers. It has really helped keep me motivated to keep the chapters coming :)