DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha and company, however I DO own an overactive imagination...

WARNING: This chapter contains LEMON ( though I tried to tone it down according to policy)

Finding Kagome

Chapter Twenty Four

The room hadn't been used for months, not since her cousin from the city had spent a weekend back in the fall. Miranda stood quietly in the open doorway of her spare bedroom, watching her strange guest sleeping. He had simply collapsed on top of the bed, not even bothering to pull down the spread. Her need to comfort him had been so strong, yet she simply could not bring herself go beyond an offer shelter and conversation. He was an angry being, this Kouga. There was a hint of unspoken power about him, something she just couldn't quite put her finger on, and an unpredictability that both frightened and excited her.

It had been the strange woman, Ayame, who had originally sought her out, saying that word of mouth had drawn her to interest in a psychic consultation. Her concern for her husband's restlessness in recent months led her finally to ask for the reading. She brought with her something which she said was a personal item of her husband's, it looked like a headband of some unidentifiable pelt, which had put Miranda off at first. Being vegan and never wearing or using animal products, she hadn't wanted to touch the thing. But, lacking anything else, it had been the focal point for the initial spread that she had done.

Could I have saved Ayame if I had done the spread for her instead? Perhaps warned her, made her aware of an impending danger... I did what I was paid to do... but it wasn't nearly enough, not enough to save her... what else have I missed... what awaits dear Kouga... and can I warn him in time?

Lost in her ruminations and self recriminations, she had not noticed the electric blue gaze which had locked on her. He moved to his side and she was brought back to the moment with a hesitation in her heartbeat as their eyes met. Who was this strange creature, really?

"You're awake..." she observed vaguely, trapped momentarily in his eyes. "Want some coffee or something?" She swallowed, then blinked. He hadn't moved, and as he lay there with one arm tucked under his head watching her, she realized just what a work of art he really was. The angry wound on his neck had become nothing more than a thin red line. "You're going to make me nervous if you keep that up..." she shifted uneasily beneath his intense scrutiny.

"It wasn't your fault, Miranda," his words where low. "Stop beating yourself up." He raised a hand in invitation to her.

"I can make you breakfast, I have grapefruit and..." she motioned lamely toward the kitchen but her evasion wasn't working as he lowered his chin and raised a brow, then beckoned to her with his outstretched hand. It was the same arm she had wrapped the night before, and curiosity about how the injury was doing pulled her closer, he had said it would be fine by morning.

"I promise, I won't bite..." he whispered as he took her hand and pulled her to sit beside him on the bed. She laughed nervously, reaching to touch the bandage on his arm.

"Can I look? Does it still hurt?" she asked. He sniffed, and rolled to his back looking at the gauze.

"It didn't hurt much to begin with. One of the stupid mongrel's tricks. I shouldn't have let it get to me," he held his arm for her to remove the bandage.

"Mongrel... you mean Inudono?" She picked at the tape with her nails, gingerly trying to loosen it.

"Here... don't waste your time..." he raised his arm, using a claw from his other hand he neatly sliced through the gauze to reveal a slight pinking in a line no more than half of an inch wide down the center of where the wound had been. "It was his half brother... I thought he was dead... but apparently not."

Gaping at the spot that had been an open gash on Kouga's forearm the night before, her brow furrowed, and she peered into his eyes. No one heals that fast. Who is this guy? She reached out to touch his ear, shaped so unusually. Just like elves... one of the Fae folk...

"What are you doing?" he demanded as he grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand away from the intimate gesture. She has no idea what she does to me... what effect she has...

"You aren't telling me everything, are you Kouga..." she blinked at the claws on his hand, really seeing them for the first time. "How is it you heal overnight? I know I am missing something here. Your wife is murdered... and you don't want to bring in the authorities? You fight with wealthy recluses who use whips for weapons?"

"Don't forget the gun, the fucker had a gun, too," he added with a snarl.

"Is that how he killed Ayame? With a gun?" she demanded. "You said he used his teeth!" She became agitated, backing away from him. "I remember your saying that last night... teeth! What the hell is going on?"

Kouga pulled her close, drawing her to his side in an effort to calm her. She pulled away, but he persisted against her struggle until finally, she was laying on the bed with her back curled against him, his arms enveloping her tightly, his legs trapping her. Her heart fluttered like a bird's wings, and he sniffed at her hair. Pressing close to her ear, his voice was no more than breath.

"You're right, Miranda... theres a lot you don't know," his breath was warm on her neck, his hold on her unwavering.

He considered what to tell her... how to not completely alienate her. I need her...

"You are going to tell me that you aren't... normal, " she rasped, eyes narrowed as she wriggled in his grasp.

"I am youkai," he stated flatly, allowing her a moment to absorb the information. "Youkai are not... human."

"Right... Ok... " she renewed her struggle against his hold. "So your an alien ..." she fought against his hold, twisting her shoulders and yanking her legs in futility, little squeaks erupting from her throat.

"Not an alien, Miranda... " his voice raised over her struggle, as he easily controlled her. "More like..." his ability to resist tasting the pulse point on her neck failed, and she gasped before growing still, "more like... a god."

"No... I don't believe this..." she shook her head, her dark auburn hair falling across the delicate features of her face.

"My kind have been here since the beginning of time... just... hidden. It wasn't always that way... once we were free... once, long ago, we ruled everything... my kind was... worshiped."

"And Ayame, she... she was too?" she was near whining, giving up on her struggle.

"Yes." he affirmed, sniffing deeply at her hair. Her scent was the essence of femininity underneath the tang of her fear, and he found it heady. He had wanted her so long, but she had been forbidden to him.

Her mind raced. So, perhaps the odd dress wasn't some kind of punk lifestyle, maybe those elven ears were real after all. His visits were always late in the night, perhaps to avoid detection? So many thoughts whirled in her confused mind. And here he was licking her, like she was some kind of strange candy... he promised he wouldn't bite...

"I need you, Miranda..." his voice returning to the warm breath in her ear, as he tested loosening his arms' grip on the now still woman. "The balance is off... Youkai should never have to hide themselves."

He rose over her, pushing her gently onto her back, dominating her as her arms crossed against her chest defensively. There was a defiant look in her eyes that surprised him, dared him... and it heated his blood as he locked them into his electric gaze.

"Wh...What do you... want from me... if you're some kind... some kind... of god..." she stammered, "Then you fix it... I'm just a card reader..."

"You know the ways of this place," he reached slowly for her crossed arms and gently pulled them away from her chest. "You will be my guide... my counsel."

"It's the Jewel... you need that Jewel... for what?" her fear began to waver as her curiosity began to override her instinct to simply run from him.

"It's an ancient artifact," and he nodded. "It has great power..." he slowly traced her jawline with the tip of his nose, breathing in her scent. "With that one, small thing... my people would be free again." He pressed his cheek against hers. "You Americans... you pride yourselves on having a free country," he rose just enough to meet her eyes, which had softened with his attentions. Gently brushing her errant tresses from her face, "yet my people live in the shadows... is that right?"

She slowly shook her head, her mind spinning. The feel of him, his strength... the gentle, tenderness of his little caresses brought a flush to her face. It had been too long since she felt such tenderness. Surely what he was asking was not unreasonable... or beyond her abilities.

"Join me..." he whispered, "The rewards are beyond anything you could imagine." He rested his head against her shoulder, nuzzling into her neck. "I will make you a respected member of my tribe... The Ookami-tribe... the ruling tribe..." he promised, tilting his head to meet her eyes.

"Become a member of your tribe?" She shook her head, "I don't want to go anywhere, Kouga...I like my life here just fine..." her brow furrowed. "Can't I just help you?"

"To become Ookami is protection for you, Miranda... against anything or anyone who might ever wish you harm." He touched his nose to hers. "You don't have to go anywhere... but if you need me, I will always come to you..."

"Why do I get this nagging feeling..." her voice was becoming husky, "that you are trying to seduce me?"

"Maybe..." and his lips barely brushed against hers, "... because I am."

He pressed his lips against hers, and she instinctively reached to grab the back of his neck, drawing the kiss deeper. It was like a dream, some wild fantasy. She had admired this wild creature for months, joking, teasing. All the while wishing to find someone like him, someone to make her own. Nothing in her personal meditations had forewarned her about this moment, where the passion between them had so quickly become a tangible thing. She parted her lips allowing him access to the intimacy of her tongue, while he slowly, drawing up the hem of her caftan, slipped his leg between her creamy thighs to press against her, running his hand along her side feeling the warmth of her soft curves.

Miranda's hands dragged along his arms, relishing the feel of his skin, of the sheer strength that radiated from the muscle beneath. Brushing against the leather of his garments, a vague thought floated in about the fact that he was wearing animal skins... then became lost in the sensation of what was underneath those pelts, her hand traveling to his shoulders and back. The scent of his closeness was as untamed as his heart, that of pine needles and earth, all overridden by the strong musk of his masculinity.

"I could definitely get used to this..." she murmured before he chuckled and kissed her again, their tongues fighting for dominance.

Mark her as pack... Gods... she's burning me...

Must find the miko... gain the jewel...

Then kill Sesshoumaru... in that order...

Who would have believed... this is incredible...

His mind was a blur of plans, and the delicious sensations of the moment interrupting them. Kouga had never been with a human before. Only once had he tried, and failed to win the heart one of her kind. His hands ran over her hips, noting the exquisite way that the bone protruded slightly on the sides of her concave abdomen, her moans luring him into an altered state as he tasted the skin of her neck, the heat of her pulse.

He slowly worked his way down from her neck to her shoulder, noting the spot above her collarbone where the mark would be placed. The alliance would be set, and his goals would be achieved. I want to possess her... but I must take the miko to get the Jewel...

Moving down her silken body, he nuzzled against her drawing a nearly feral sound from her... a demanding sound as she pushed against his thigh, her voice calling to him.

She slipped her thumb under his headband, and pulled at the leather thong that held his mane at bay. It pooled around them both as he worked his way down to her tender belly. She dug her fingers into the thickness of his hair and her demands became whimpers pleading to him for more. She lifted up her knees, drawing him to the flower of her passion, luring him with her arousal, intoxicating him with her scent.

His mouth reached her most secret place, and as he explored her, he could vaguely hear her calling his name. He felt her dragging at his clothes and realized how badly he wanted to feel her skin against his own. He tugged at his garb, all the while lapping at her and teasing her. Once free of the restraints, he could feel her reaching, pulling... demanding.

The throbbing in his loins became more urgent, and he slowly climbed the length of her, dragging his tongue along her salty sweetness, before fully covering her with his form. Her sea green eyes had sharpened to emerald, the lids half closed with her own intoxication, and their lips met again, tongues dancing. Her hands traced his sides, lightly brushing her nails on his skin, her legs wrapped his waist in a passionate embrace, as they each relishing the pure sensation of skin on skin.

"I want you..." her voice was a husky whisper. "Kouga... please..." he nipped at her neck, pressing his hardness against her, slowly entering the slickness of her, pushing deeply to hold her tight and just feel her. "Oh GOD!" she moaned as she convulsed against his hardness.

He shuddered with his need, his fight to control, as he felt her intense pleasure pull at him. Will she agree to a second? I must have her... no time to consider... must... have... her... now... she's mine... He pulled back slowly, he could feel her trembling as he traced her collarbone with his tongue. Pushing deeply again, her breath quickened and his name was on her lips. He didn't hold this time, but again pulled back and pushed and her hips began to grind into him in response. A low growl began to emanate from his chest, as their rhythm increased, their breath became ragged. The miko be damned...

"Mmmine..." he groaned, his nips becoming harder on her neck and shoulders, his thrusts increasing.

"Yours...?" she panted, enjoying the intensity of his love bites, she lifted her chin to give him better access to her neck and throat, not realizing that this was an act of complete submission.

"You... are... MINE!" he growled with each stroke, wrapping one hand around the back of her head, fisting her hair. There was an urgency to his demand that she, too could feel. The near violence of his grip brought her a thrill like she had never before experienced.

"GOD... yes... Kouga!" She panted as he began to drive into her, "Make... me... yours!" grabbing his powerful backside with her hands, she dug her nails in deeply, a subconscious effort to hold on to the moment. "Don't ever... stop..." she panted, nearly a whisper in his ear, drawing her tongue across his ear, where her hand had earlier been forbidden.

The ache and the fire became more than he could stand, as he felt her tense beneath him. His grasp on her hair tightened, his hand pressed forcefully against her back as he immobilized her. With a great roar, he found his release, his fangs buried deeply into her shoulder, as he fiercely consummated their union.

There were no words beyond that, none were possible as each of them were beyond rational comprehension. Kouga stirred slowly and gently lapped at his mark, his power drained, he lay draped over her, as their breathing slowly returned to normal.

Miranda, eyes closed, stroked his back and arms, ran her fingers through his hair and slowly began to wonder what all of it meant. He was different, something about him yanked at her very soul. She found herself questioning her beliefs in the arms of this wild creature. Opening her eyes, she felt a twinge and glanced down at her shoulder. Not being able to see the source of her concern, she reached a hand up to trace two prominent puncture marks. What the hell?

"Hey!" She bucked underneath him to get his attention. He stirred and looked dreamily into her eyes, which were still bright emerald, and it made him smile.

"mmhmm?" he murmured and nuzzled at her jaw with his nose.

"You broke your promise..." her tone brought his full attention, and he gazed again at her eyes with a furrow on his brow. She seemed upset.

Why would she be angry? I've just given her... everything... all that I am...

"I don't understand..." he mumbled, as he pulled from her to roll beside her and draw her into his arms. A tear slipped down her cheek as her hand ran across the mark he had just given her.

"You promised..." she sniffed, "that you wouldn't bite..."

"Oh," his eyes widened slightly, as he reached to pull her hair from her shoulder so he could better see, and smiled. "You... are mine now, Miranda." He lapped at his mark, then nuzzled at her neck.

"A member of your tribe?" her confusion was palpable. All that to join his tribe? Is that all it was to him?

He chuckled, pulling her head to his shoulder. He drew in a deep breath, pulling at her scent. There were subtle changes, beyond the familiarity of his own.

"Among other things, yes..." his finger crooked under her chin, directing her to face him and look into his eyes. "You need to start eating better."

"What has that got to do with anything?" she demanded, fire in her glare. "My diet is my own concern, Kouga..."

"Not anymore, wench..." he smiled. "It has everything to do... with the health of our cubs." He snuggled closer, to be pushed away by her arm against his chest. His eyes widened with confused shock as his jaw went slack with unspoken protest.

"Cubs?" she demanded.

"You're my mate..." he offered, grasping for a better human term, "my wife, now... It stands to reason that we will have offspring... and sooner than later." He reached for her, then hesitated.

"What?" she brought a hand to her forehead. "You wanted me to join your pack... you didn't ask me marry you..."

"You agreed," he reminded her, slipping his arm around her shoulders. "You told me... to make you mine."

"So you bit me?" She glared at him. But his eyes were so sincere, with a trace of... was that hurt? It made her heart ache to see him hurt. "That was the throes of passion, Kouga..." she tried to explain, "I hardly know you! I mean I really do care about you, and I want to help you of course..."

"Don't you see, Miranda?" he interrupted her rambling. "You... who have learned so many of my ways in the past few months... can't you see that I wanted this... how badly I want you?"

"Ayame hasn't been dead a week, and now you want me? Isn't that just a little... soon?" she shook her head, remembering the sultry woman and how devoted to her husband she had been.

"Let me explain something to you," he drew her close, tracing circles on her cheek with the pads of his fingers. "I took Ayame as mate because it was expected of me. Back then, someone else had won my heart, but would not give me hers. Ayame came from another tribe, and our arranged union brought peace and strength to both tribes. She never truly had my heart, Miranda. Her death was a shock," and he looked away, anger brushing his features.. "And I am held by duty to avenge her... and I will. But... until I found you, my heart had been as dead as the woman who had stolen it, a very long time ago."

"She was so devoted to you... Ayame loved you more than anything in this world, I could see that..." she looked down at her hand, which had traveled to his arm. "Isn't this a betrayal of some kind? She was my client... but you had become my friend."

"What's with this 'had' shit?" he raised her chin to look at him. "I better still be... or we are in some real trouble, my mate." His eyes sparkled, and he kissed the tip of her nose. "There is no betrayal... Life is for the living."

"Give me some time to get used to the idea..." she asked softly. "I kinda thought if I ever did find a suitable partner, we would do something more traditional, like... get married... or something..." and she trailed off.

"I want you to be happy, Miranda... I want you to feel as right about this as I do," he leaned in to nuzzle his mark, and noticed the bruising around it, and the little bruises blooming along her neck.

"Fuck, I've hurt you... no wonder you've got doubts." He backed away to look at her nude form, noting a number of scratches and more bruising along her arms and torso. He turned her so he could see her back, and found five perfect claw marks where he had punctured her skin while marking her. Reaching over to pick up his tossed headband, he slipped it onto her head.

"That's a dead animal skin," she grimaced, reaching to remove it. He staid her hand, pulling it instead to his lips for a kiss.

"You wouldn't want the live one on your head, trust me... the pelt will help," he smoothed her hair. "It has properties..." at her dubious look, his eyes sharpened, "just wear the damn thing, you'll heal faster."

She cowed slightly at the command, her eyes widened as her heart quickened.

He really does want me... he really does care...

"Now lets feed you, you are going to need your strength," and he rose to gather his clothing.

I could so definitely get used to this... she thought wistfully.

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A/N : Sorry for the lateness of the update, the next couple of chapters will probably help you make more sense of this. Trust me, it isn't quite as out of the blue as it may seem...