Chapter 25 – Completing the Deal
"So, he admitted it?" Sango asked.
Kirara glanced between them. When she had first met Kagome, she had seemed like the type that would become angry over the fact that someone had claimed her as property, but she did not appear all that mad. She almost looked like she was overflowing with glee, but Kirara guessed that it was because of the beast that was now roaming inside of her. No doubt it wanted the inu so badly that it was pressing down Kagome's rational need to tell him that she belonged to no one, thus allowing the feelings of happiness to flow freely.
"Well, no," Kagome sighed. "He walked away afterward, like he didn't want to talk to me, but wanted to think for a while. I tried to talk to him this morning, too, but he ignored me."
"But he did say that you belonged to him, right?" Sango asked.
Kagome nodded, saying, "He did."
"Well, that settles it. I was right," Sango replied. "Sesshoumaru is courting you, like I said. But there is one thing bothering me."
"What's that?" Kirara questioned her.
"Why aren't you angry, Kagome?" Sango blinked, looking at the girl across from her. "You got really pissed off and started pushing that Kouga guy away when he said you were going to be his woman. And I saw how angry you were the day after Kouga got sent to the Medical Wing. You usually fly off the deep end when someone tells you that you belong to them, yet you don't even look angry."
Kirara nodded in agreement. She said, "I have noticed, too. I smelled the kitsune twins on you the day after Kouga was sent to be healed, and you were rather angry for a while. Yet you are not angry with Sesshoumaru at all."
Kagome's eyes misted over in thought, while she rested her head in her hand. Looking at the white top of the table, she wondered over the same thing. She really could not explain the reason that she was not angry. She just felt that a part of her soared with the thought of belonging to Sesshoumaru, probably her beast, and it flooded throughout the rest of her body. It was not just her beast, though; it was another part of her. A part of her that wanted to blush, act like a schoolgirl, and become giddy with the fact that such a powerful, beautiful youkai wanted more from her than just friendship. Everyone she had ever wanted more than friendship from had never wanted to give it to her, yet he seemed to, and that part of her wanted to grab ahold of that fact and never let it go.
Sango gave Kirara a knowing look, while the neko youkai blinked at the expression passing across Kagome's face. "You know," Sango sang, "it looks like somebody's in love!"
Kagome's face reddened as she gasped, "No I'm not!"
Sango blinked, giving her a slow grin. Then, she replied, "Who said I was talking about you? I meant them." Sango pointed behind Kagome, toward a pair of older students that had wrapped themselves around one another. She always saw the older students doing that, and it was odd, considering the fact they normally ignored mostly everything but other older students and their partner. Sango was beginning to think this whole partner thing was a lot more complicated than she had originally thought, though.
She frowned, her forehead creasing as a slight pain raced through her head. She sensed the magic within the school wash over her, and the pain was gone, but along with it went her thoughts. Sango blinked rapidly, trying and failing to catch ahold of her previous thought and allow it to fill her blank mind once more. She managed to laugh, despite the faint pain that had pierced her head when she tried. Considering her headache, she pushed it aside and decided it was not that important after all.
"Oh," Kagome said softly. Now she just felt stupid. Though, from the twinkle in her friend's eye, she was pretty sure that there had been a double meaning to her words. Again she wondered when her friend, or perhaps all of her friends, began to change. Sango seemed less violent, less serious all the time, and Kagome had noticed that she was smiling a lot more. It was nice, though she often wondered what happened to the girl that gave battle cries and walloped Miroku upside the head everyday. But she supposed that it was still in there somewhere, since she had seen Sango beating up on a few people during their training session under the watchful eye of Professor Katana on occasion.
"Why are you so jumpy, Kagome?" Sango asked. "Did you think I was talking about you?"
"No!"
Kirara brought a hand up, giggling behind the protection it gave. The miko was bright red, shaking her head, and trying to deny Sango's suggestion. "I think that she did," she said, watching as the miko nearly cried. "It is written all over her. I can smell it quite well within her scent, Sango."
"Kirara, you traitor!" Kagome exclaimed. "How could you do this to me?"
"I was merely making an observation," Kirara told her. "And I only wanted to tell you because he's coming this way."
"What?" Kagome jumped, turning her head in the direction that Kirara had pointed. Seeing nothing, her eyes narrowed, and she turned back to find the other two girls within a fit of giggles. She glared at them, mainly Kirara, before saying, "You are a mean, mean youkai, Kirara."
Sango huffed, "Oh, don't get mad. She was only making a joke, Kagome."
Kagome flushed red again, saying, "Well, I didn't think it was so funny."
"Of course you didn't," Sango replied. "You were the one submitted to the joke, and I have to admit it was a little cruel. But you'll get over it, won't you, Kagome?"
Appearing as if she was thinking about it, Kagome tapped her finger against her lip. She wondered how apprehensive they were getting, since Kirara's face fell, and she began playing with a strand of her hair. Sango looked stiff, out of her element, but she seemed to know that she would eventually give in. Sango always did know too much about her, but then she did know more about Sango than she sometimes needed to.
A bit of red colored Kirara's cheeks, while she reverted back to her shy nature. She whispered, "I'm sorry, Kagome. I didn't mean to make you angry with me."
Feeling bad, Kagome cried, "Don't feel that way, Kirara! I'm not angry, I swear!"
"Really?" Kirara asked.
"Yeah, I forgive you," Kagome sighed.
"Alright," Sango coughed. "Let us get back to the original topic. Sesshoumaru is courting Kagome, just like I said—"
"Don't rub it in too much," Kagome muttered.
"—Now, the question is, what are we going to do about it?" Sango finished her thought. She had heard what Kagome said, but she was going to rub it in as much as she wanted. Kagome had looked so hopeful, but the girl had not had enough backbone to just ask him. Of course, Sesshoumaru was a good looking youkai – he was definitely off her list since Kagome liked him, though – so she supposed that her friend just felt embarrassed. Perfectly understandable, but she still should have believed her.
"We?" Kagome asked.
"I really think that this is Kagome's problem, Sango," Kirara said. "She should probably be the one to figure out what to do. Her beast already wants him, from what I understand, and his wants her, but you can't force someone to admit their feelings."
Sango frowned, stating, "Look. Kagome is in love." She raised her hand, stopping Kagome's protest, before continuing. "No matter how many times Kagome tries to deny it, she is in love. I can see it, just like I recognized the fact that Sesshoumaru was courting her. She just doesn't realize it yet, so she is going to need our help. Especially since we're dealing with an extremely stubborn taiyoukai heir that will probably deny he wants anything to do with her until the end of time. We've got to do something, or this is never going to happen!"
Kagome looked confused, while she asked, "Who are you?"
Sango blinked, asking, "What are you talking about?"
"No," Kagome blinked back, "seriously. Who are you and what have you done with my friend?"
Sango's eyebrow twitched.
Kirara glanced between them, her red eyes blinking as she did so. She almost laughed again, though, when Sango put her head into her hand and sighed deeply. Apparently this was going to be a lot harder than she had thought, but Kirara stood with her opinion. She believed that if Sesshoumaru truly wanted Kagome, he would eventually ask her if he could court her properly, and she should not interfere with that. Yes, Kagome was her friend, but her instincts told her that if this was supposed to work, it would.
That was good enough for her.
OoO
Kanna turned, a small puff of breath leaving her mouth as she looked up at the male standing next to her. She blinked, her black eyes staring at him blankly. Distantly, she heard herself ask, "Is there something I can help you with?"
The male smiled pleasantly, but Kanna was not one to care about such things. She did not care about anything, really, and had not cared for a very long time. Since the time when she followed her father around, because it was then that she truly saw the color of the world and took notice of it. However, as if his voice echoed into her ears, he said, "I'm Suikotsu. I was wondering if you could help me a bit with my lines? You're the best performer I've ever seen, and I was just hoping it might rub off a bit."
There was a dash of color on his cheeks, staining them until they appeared darker than the rest of him. She blinked a bit, her face unmoving as she moved to speak. She cared not what she told him, what she said, but she found it was polite to reply when someone asked so nicely. She was strange to them, and though she did not care, she knew it was not best to draw more attention to herself. "I am Kanna. But I am afraid I cannot help you, I have many things that I must finish tonight."
A flicker went through his eyes, and she wondered for a moment if perhaps there was more than the sweet boy speaking. However, Kanna did not really notice, because a wash of happiness went through her when her hands fell upon her mirror. Kagura lay there, pounding at the glass and crying out to her, but her body was doing as she wished of it. That was all Kanna cared about.
"Oh," Suikotsu said. There was a dangerous undertone to his voice, as if something lurked beneath the surface. Kanna took a faint notice of this, but knew that the boy would not get by her defenses. She fingered her mirror, even as he continued to speak. "Well, maybe we can try to get together some other time?"
He sounded so hopeful, but Kanna denied him again. She had no time for him. Only her constantly changing thoughts and the chance to gaze into her mirror, watching her sister's body with her new lover. In truth, she had no time for those things either, though it was true that as a void, she had time for everything. "No," she said. "I do not have time."
His eyes darkened considerably, but Kanna merely blinked in disinterest. His voice deepened until the danger was clearly present. Kanna did not care for such a thing, she was not frightened, and she trailed her fingers over her mirror. It would protect her, just as her father had protected her fragile existence so long ago. Now was not the time for such thoughts, she knew, but she missed the time in which she followed in the footsteps of her father. She missed him.
"So," Suikotsu said, "though everyone in the drama department has said you do nothing outside of this stage, you have no time for me?" Marks of green began to show on his face, and Kanna felt the slight rise of youki in the air. However, she feared no ningen and no youkai, and there was no reason that she should fear him. "You can't even help me a bit? You'd rather sit around looking into that stupid mirror of yours, gazing at something that only you can see, rather then spend a little time helping me?"
"Yes," Kanna droned. Her voice, even now, seemed separated from her. She could barely hear what she spoke, but she knew without a doubt that she was doing as she always did. She blended in with ease, if only this boy would understand that she wished nothing to do with him. She only wished to gaze into her mirror, stop her constantly moving thoughts, and watch as she manipulated her sister's body to do her bidding once more. That was all she wanted, could he not see?
"You're a bitch," Suikotsu snarled. "A black hearted bitch."
"You're wrong," Kanna replied. Something about the words that had fallen from his mouth perked her to attention. Her voice drew closer, as if they were almost one and the same, and she wanted to correct him. She was not what he stated because she was nothing, she would always be nothing, and she had been nothing since the time when she followed her father around so happily.
"Oh?" Suikotsu smirked cruelly. Kanna neither cared nor acknowledged the appearance of his face. "What are you then?"
Kanna slid the mirror from her side, and held it between both hands as she allowed the boy to stare into the inky depths. She felt Kagura behind the glass, trying to escape the best she could, but Kanna held her soul in check. She would not allow her happiness to slip away. Twisting the mirror lightly in her grip, Kanna told Suikotsu, "I am a void. A black abyss that does not feel, but simply exists."
Suikotsu did not reply, though, as Kanna knew he would. His soul was already within the mirror, locked away where it would not bother her again. She eyed his body for a moment, before turning on her heel to walk away. She had no use for the body at the moment, but soon she would find some type of use for it. After all, she was sure that his beauty could bring her joy in some form.
OoO
Sesshoumaru scoffed at himself once more, watching the miko as she drove her acid whip deep into the target that Professor Katana wished her to strike. The black inuyoukai congratulated her on the job well done after watching the whip hit the target and sail through the other side with ease. Only a hole remained in the target once she allowed the whip to dissipate, exactly as Professor Katana had instructed, though the hole was a bit off center. After the miko performed her feat, he returned his eyes to his own target when she glanced toward him, ignoring the hopeful eyes that she cast in his direction.
He had been ignoring her curious glances all day. He refused to explain himself to her, because he was the heir of the Western Lands and he explained nothing to anyone. Besides, he could bet that her beast knew full well of his intentions because of his words, so she should be rejoicing. She probably was, too, silently, and he almost congratulated her on keeping her mouth shut. After all, most women, whether ningen or youkai, would have told the world that he had chosen them, stating they were his own, instead of saying nothing of the event.
Kagome certainly earned points for that.
At the moment he did not wish to have people questioning his actions. He did not wish to have anyone asking him the reason he had chosen a being beneath him, or someone that could easily purify him, or when he planned to make the whole thing official. He had no wish to explain anything, to answer any questions, and for that he was glad the miko had yet to say anything about it. She was keeping quiet, making sure he did not have to talk about it, and at the moment he was very pleased with that.
He was just so confused. Sesshoumaru had known his beast wanted the miko, he had accepted that, but he did not like how easily it had leaked forth to defend her. He always had control. He never submitted to his baser instincts or allowed the beast to completely rule his body. Yet still the animal had managed to cut through his chains, rise to the surface, and go after the male that had threatened his claim on his female. Yes, it was true that the beast should rise to rid the world of rivals, but it should not have been able to do so with such ease.
Did he ever have full control? Or had he had only the illusion of holding the beast down so well? They were questions he could not answer, and his beast certainly was not helping, only whimpering over the fact that he was not near Kagome. He wanted them answered, though, more than he wanted anything answered. Especially since he had been so sure that he had had completely control before he had met the miko. And perhaps that event was the reason that he had become soft enough to allow the miko into his life to the point he wanted her.
Wanted her more than anything.
The image of that blasted kitsune streaked across his mind once more, taunting him with the fact that there were other males that wanted his female. He growled, taking out his anger on the target before him, barely noticing the glance that Professor Katana cast toward him. He would not allow another to come into such close contact with his female again, though he briefly wondered when he had gone from trying to get the miko suspended to trying to keep her. The thought was not important to Sesshoumaru, however, as he struck down another target.
No male would come between him and his female. The miko was his, and he was beginning to know that he would not be able to get rid of her. There would be no until, as he had continued to fool himself with. There would simply be him and his female, together, as he knew they should be. No one would stand between them, and if anyone tried as the kitsune had, he would strike them down without a second glance.
Kagome was looking at him again, he noted. However, he kept his gaze away from hers, because he knew that he would only find curiosity, wonder, hope, and a question in her eyes. He would not explain his actions to her or anyone, because there was nothing to explain. He had claimed her, and she would be his. She should already know that, just as everyone else would soon know that, and she should not have to look toward him for that answer. And if she did, he would allow her to wallow in her thoughts a bit longer, because she should know.
If she did not, it would be a good lesson for her.
OoO
She narrowed her eyes, before she took an instinctive step backward. Kikyo never removed her eyes from the boy before her, knowing from a brush of her energy that something had changed with him. She could not pinpoint the exact problem, but she knew that it was something that had altered him to the point she did not want to stand in his presence alone.
Unfortunately, though, she already was.
"Hello, Kikyo," he smiled pleasantly.
Kikyo was not fooled by the sweetness of his voice, as she allowed her miko energy to lash out at him. It was enough to hurt the minuscule amount of youkai blood she knew rushed through his veins, but enough to shock him a bit. He halted in his pursuit of her when he felt it, but the gleam in his eyes increased. "Suikotsu."
He laughed, obviously amused with something that she had done. Then, he replied, "There's no reason to play around, Kikyo. I came here to study with you, as we planned. After all, we can't procrastinate until the very last minute."
"I highly doubt that is the reason you're here," Kikyo spat. "You cannot lie to me and expect to get away with it."
Suikotsu looked confused, as he said, "I am not lying."
Kikyo did not understand. She had felt his lie as clear as day, yet she knew he was not lying now. Her eyes narrowed further, as she extended her power again, trying to determine if she had felt correctly the second time. Her energy had not been wrong, because he had not lied, but there was something else that caused Kikyo to take another step backward. Something that she should have felt, but found was missing when she brushed her energy against him again.
"Is something wrong, Kikyo?" Suikotsu asked. "You look rather pale."
"Your… your soul," Kikyo whispered. Her energy swarmed around her, trying to push him away as he moved forward once more. It did nothing to him, because she only put enough miko energy into the attack to shock his youkai blood. Any more would cause him injury, and Kikyo was not one to break the rules.
Suikotsu's eyes narrowed in question, before he asked, "What about my soul?"
Kikyo could not choke out the words. She had never felt a being that did not have their soul, and it chilled her from the inside out. The nothingness seemed to strike out at her through her own energy, drilling into her body straight to her heart. The very feel of it caused her heart to beat wildly in her chest, and her breathing to pick up, though she could not lift her feet to move.
"Kikyo, I don't understand," Suikotsu snickered. "There is nothing wrong with my soul. I am perfectly fine; I don't understand why you would think something is wrong with me. Especially with my soul, so you'll have to explain a little more if you expect me to get the point."
Her energy struck out wildly against the walking corpse, and she finally managed to steel herself against the cold as he continued forward. She did not hold back the threat of purification this time, allowing it to hover around the thing that wanted her to believe it was Suikotsu and keep him at bay. Then, when she was positive he understood she was not going to play anymore, she hissed, "You'll probably never understand. You are nothing but a body that walks—a corpse that has been given a purpose. You can never comprehend anything when it comes to the soul."
Suikotsu actually looked hurt, as he replied, "Oh, I think that one hit me deep. Right here in my heart, Kikyo." He brought his hand up over the area, pressing against it to get the point across. He blinked at the miko before him, only a bit wary of the energy that rippled from her body.
"As if your heart beats," Kikyo spat.
"That's cruel, Kikyo." Suikotsu shook his head, giving a beaten sigh, "Really, it is."
"Do not think that is the extent of how cruel I can be," Kikyo said, her energy snapping out to bite at the corpse's heels. He took a step backward, trying to stay away from the energy that could banish him from the world. However, Kikyo continued her assault, determined to keep him far, far away from her. "If you do not leave me be, I will vanquish you from this land. You will never see the light of day again, and I will be glad to know I did the world a favor."
"Ouch," Suikotsu chuckled. "How can you say such things to someone that has done nothing to you, Kikyo? Someone that has been nothing but kind to you since the moment we met? Or have you forgotten that? Forgotten all the times I've helped you keep that blasted hanyou away? And all because you didn't want to spend time around him, knowing that he was only obsessed with you. Knowing that if you gave him a little bit of attention, he would come running back like an obedient puppy wanting more?"
"Don't talk about things you know nothing about," Kikyo snarled. "Suikotsu did those things, not you."
"I have been kind to you so many times, Kikyo," Suikotsu continued, "why can't you be kind to me this one time?"
"Because you are not my friend!" Kikyo yelled. She was positive that someone should have heard her yell, even as she lashed her energy out angrily at the shadow of what Suikotsu once was. They should have felt her energy, at least, yet she could not feel anyone coming to her rescue. Kikyo was not one that ever needed rescuing, nor was she one that wanted to be rescued, but she knew when she needed the aid of someone else.
"That's really a shame, Kikyo," Suikotsu sighed. "And here I thought we had such a wonderful relationship. You were showing feelings for me, and I was pretending to actually care about you. Yet it seems that all my hard work has gone to waste, and I'll just have to take what I want the hard way."
Her energy completely focused on him, wanting only to destroy the person that had once been her friend. Kikyo restrained it, knowing that she could be expelled for violence on school grounds, but the urge was great. Rid the world of the filth that Suikotsu's body had become, thus allowing her to know that she had brought justice to the world. Allowing her to know that she may have sacrificed her friend's body, but at least she had redeemed his soul.
Suikotsu took a step forward, uncaring of the energy that gripped at him. It sank into his flesh, warning him away, but he would not be deterred from his path. He would get what he wanted, because it was the only thing on his mind, and he knew instinctively that that was what he must get. He must, because that was his command, and he would always follow the commands given to him.
The chill returned, and Kikyo forced down the tears gathering at the edge of her eyes. With a shuddering breath, she asked, "What is it that you want?"
Suikotsu smiled seductively, stating, "I want to feel your flesh, Kikyo."
Kikyo's energy exploded with his words, and she crumpled to the ground after the powerful blast. As her world darkened, she saw that the corpse of Suikotsu continued to stand, chuckling lightly. Fear coursed through her in her final moment of awareness, because she was not certain if she would be saved. And if she was not, she was not certain if she would be able to live with the knowledge that someone she had once considered her friend had defiled her body.
OoO
His ear twitched a bit, as he turned his head to look up at the school towering over his head. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, wondering why he had the sudden urge to go inside. He preferred the fresh air to the stuffy corridors, but he had a strong need to go inside. He tried to ignore it, wanting to savor the wind washing over him a little longer, but the urge was persistent. So, Inuyasha grumbled a little as he stood up, wishing that for once his instincts would leave him alone.
They had already messed up his school life. He had just wanted to talk with Kikyo originally, but he found that it extended so much farther than that as time passed. He wanted to know her, inside and out, but it appeared that his instincts had chosen the wrong woman to want. Kikyo wanted nothing to do with him, often running off to find that blasted Suikotsu, ignoring him, or telling him that she wanted nothing to do with a hanyou that could not take a hint. She did not even give him a chance, and it crushed him to know that his instincts had chosen someone that would never let him have them.
Someone that would not even give him the chance to try and be friends.
Sighing, Inuyasha moved to go inside. He had been sitting by himself for quite some time, ignoring the few drama students that he had made friends with. They had left him alone, knowing that he wanted to be by himself, and trying to tell him that in a small way they understood. They would never understand, he knew that, but he appreciated the fact that they gave him the space he wanted at the moment. He appreciated that they at least tried by leaving him by himself, showing that unlike Kikyo, they wanted to be his friend, and would be.
Inuyasha was slightly glad that he had found out the hard way, though. Because the one he wanted always thrust him aside for something else, he at least knew that someone like Kikyo was not his type. She was constantly calling him 'hanyou'; unable to look beyond the teachings she had gotten to become a miko. She was always ignoring him, or telling him that she wanted nothing to do with him, and though it hurt, at least he knew he could not have her. He had to move on, find someone worthy of his affection, and Inuyasha was determined to do so.
As he stepped inside the school, Inuyasha froze for a single moment. His eyes narrowed, wondering at the strange sensation that washed over him. He felt the need to be somewhere suddenly, and he found his feet moving toward the drama dormitory. Strange, since he had been planning to go there in the first place, but now he felt impatient and wanting to get there as fast as he possibly could. There was no reason for him to get there quickly, he had finished his schoolwork and had only planned on lying down, yet he felt like he needed to be there.
His feet moved a bit quicker, his instincts telling him that he needed to be somewhere. He usually tried to ignore the constant nagging to do such things, but there was something urgent about the way they pressed down upon him. So, he rounded another corner and picked up speed, knowing that wherever his feet were taking him he needed to be. And at this moment he knew that he needed to listen to his instincts.
Ki,...kyo.
The deep rumble in his head went ignored for only a moment; the sound of Kikyo's name barely registering in his head until he sniffed at the air. The miko was nearby. She was close, and it was quite obvious that something was not right from the way her energy crackled in the air. It was dwindling now, but the scent of her fear made Inuyasha rethink his first thought that she must have solved whatever problem had occurred. She was in trouble, and it was that fact that caused Inuyasha to run.
Ki...kyo.
Another scent entered his nose, though he found it odd that it was beginning to fade. He figured that the other person, who he instantly recognized as Suikotsu, must have left. That did not explain the reason why Kikyo was afraid, however, and Inuyasha felt a rush to protect her. It did not matter that he had wanted to find someone else-his darker self would never have wanted anyone else-and it did not matter how she had treated him. The only thing that mattered at that moment was finding her, saving her, and making sure that nothing ever made the scent of her fear drift into his nose again.
Inuyasha rounded another corner, Kikyo's scent filling his senses, and her energy popping in the air around him. He gritted his teeth against the feel of the threat, but pushed forward until he finally saw her. He paused for only a moment, watching as the bastard bent over Kikyo's still body, his hand caressing her cheek. His eyes began to bleed, a growl spilling from his throat, when the bastard popped open the first button of Kikyo's blouse.
Suikotsu glanced up, the grin on his face fading away when he saw him.
Inuyasha's lip lifted in warning, as he snarled, "Get away from her."
"If it isn't the mutt," Suikotsu laughed.
"Get away," Inuyasha said once more. He would only repeat his warning so many times before he went into action. The dark side of his blood was beating against him, wanting to tear into the male in front of him. It wanted to spill his blood, to watch him drain until he was nothing more than a carcass with no purpose. And it would have that wish if Suikotsu decided to ignore the threat of his youkai blood leaking forth.
"I'm afraid I won't do that," Suikotsu replied. "Kikyo has wanted me since we came here. I want her. I'm not going to let someone like you get in the way of the beautiful chemistry we have."
Inuyasha chuckled darkly, saying, "Oh yeah? Tell me, why is her fear so thick in this room then? Is that what you call wanting someone? Blacking out and allowing that person to take advantage of you? Is that what you think of a good time as?"
"I was simply helping her up, Inuyasha," Suikotsu told him. "I was not going to touch an unconscious woman, if that's what you're getting at."
"Back off!" Inuyasha barked.
Suikotsu's dull eyes flickered, before he finally rose from his position. His hands were up in surrender, though the hanyou never allowed his eyes to leave his slowly moving form. "Alright," he said. "I'll leave. But don't think that Kikyo won't come crawling back to me, Inuyasha. She wants me. She'll never want you, so please don't get any sudden ideas just because you've come to save the day."
Inuyasha lunged, fangs bared. He landed beside Kikyo, watching as the other drama student raced from the room long before he touched the ground. His eyes slowly drained back to their originally amber color, and he knelt down beside Kikyo. He made sure no one was around as he felt her pulse, before lifting her into his arms. She would need medical attention after how much energy she had expelled, and Inuyasha was going to make sure that she got it.
He was also going to make sure that bastard Suikotsu never came near her again.
OoO
His black eyes slipped open, his hand coming up to rub at his throat a little. The hazy world around him slowly cleared, and he tried to sit up when a hand pressed him back down into the bed. A groan left his throat, and he was not sure what had hit him at the moment.
A face loomed over him, and he tried to focus on them. The lights shined down so brightly that the face appeared shadowed completely, and he only recognized them by the scent that drifted into his nose. He frowned, before trying to speak the name of his brother. Only a slight gargle came from his throat, and he gave up after a moment, knowing that he would not be able to speak. His body was nearly limp, and his vocal cords just would not work at the moment.
A hand brushed down his hair. He closed his eyes, before listening to his brother speak. "It will be alright, brother. You're in good hands with Yumi, and she'll make sure that any damage down is fixed."
Kagome. He mouthed her name; sadness coursing through his body at the thought that that blasted inu had beaten him. The mutt's strength had easily overpowered him, and he knew that the inu would never let him near his sweet maiden ever again. He would only be able to look upon her face from far away, wishing silently, and a tear streaked down his face from the very thought.
Haruki's voice was lower, angrier, as he said; "There is no reason to think about the miko any longer, Akio. She is out of your reach, and there will be another that will take her place. You will find someone else to hold your heart."
"Until then," Yumi's voice entered his ears, "we will be here for you."
He shook his head, a whimper escaping his opened mouth. Kagome, he mouthed again. More tears leaked from behind his closed eyes, running down his cheeks in thick streams. He did not want another, and he doubted that either of them would be able to understand what he felt at the moment. Neither of them would understand the pain that pierced his heart, knowing from the memory of her face that she had chosen, and it had not been him that she picked.
Yumi's soft hands lifted his head up from the bedding, pressing him against her soft breast. She rocked him there, allowing her comforting presence to sooth his hurt feelings. But Akio did not want her comfort. He wanted to wallow in the memory of Kagome's sweet lips caressing his own, taking pleasure from him. He wanted to remember only that moment – never the thought that she had been frightened of him, that she did not want him. He did not want Yumi or Haruki or anyone else to take that from him, whether Yumi wanted to take his pain away or not.
The bed shifted, while his brother's hand swept through his hair. He heard him sigh, obviously disappointed in him. Akio could understand, because Haruki had told him to leave her be. Haruki had told him that he would be facing his path alone, isolated from the love they shared as brothers, and Akio knew that silently Haruki had called him foolish. Haruki was simply that way, so hard and unmoving, and Akio wondered if now his brother would spit the words in his face.
Call him foolish! Yell at him!
"Oh, my brother," Haruki said softly. "In time you will see the reason that I let you face this alone. You will understand the reason that I have been harsh with you, and I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive me."
Akio's thoughts paused, disbelieving the words that slipped from his dear brother's mouth. He did not understand, for Haruki had always been with him, yet he had never heard such soft words leave his brother's mouth. He had never heard Haruki tear down the wall that he had built, blocking out everything and anything that might hurt him. And perhaps, he had done it because in a small way, Akio had been the one to hurt him. Akio shuddered at the very thought, not wishing to be the one that first brought his brother pain.
He nearly cried out. Stop! No! Act as Haruki does! Yell! Hiss! Scream! Just do not make this all seem unreal. Do not make me forget her. Please. Please, Haruki.
Yumi spoke when he began to shake his head, saying, "The pain will seem like too much to bear for a very long time, Akio. It will not cease or disappear, but time will make the ache seem less real. It will help it go away, while you grow and understand that not everything can be yours. Not everything you want can love you, cherish you the way you deserve, even when those things seem so perfect."
Akio shook his head more. He did not want to forget. He wanted only to hold his maiden in his arms, wrapping himself in Kagome's sweet scent and lips. He wanted only to remember the scent of her arousal, the touch of her flesh, and the way she had wanted so much to become one with him. He wanted only to remember that single moment in time, when everything felt so right and seemed so perfect. He wanted that, and he mouthed, Yumi.
She seemed to recognize his sadness, while she petted his hair softly. "You will never forget, Akio. You will always have the knowledge that in one moment everything in life seemed to stop, as if that moment was where you belonged. You will never have to worry about forgetting Kagome, or anything that you cherished about her, but this will be good for you. You will be able to grow, to take that experience and build your life until your next relationship feels just the same. And then you'll have the chance to look back and laugh, because you'll know that the one you first loved helped you, unknowingly, love again."
He whimpered. He did not want to love again.
"I know," Yumi whispered, her mouth against his ear. He felt the wet, cold droplets of her tears as they fell upon his skin, streaking down into his clothing. "I know that you never want to feel that feeling again. I know that you never want to experience it with someone else. I know, Akio, but I won't let you end up like me. I won't have you smiling so happily, while I know that inside you're dying to feel your first love at least once more. I won't let that happen to you, ever."
Akio only whimpered again. Please, Yumi. Please. Don't. Just don't. This is what I want. This is what I need.
"We'll help you," Haruki said. "We'll make sure that you understand."
He shook his head. He did not want that.
"We'll help you," Yumi repeated. "We'll be here for you. We'll help you with the pain. We will, I promise, Akio. We'll always help you, because that is what family does."
Another tear slipped from Akio's closed lids. He knew they would not understand. They would never understand. He hoped that in time they would see that, because he cared nothing for family at that moment. He wanted only his memories, his beautiful maiden, and he would cling to them no matter how hard Yumi and Haruki tried to tear them away from him.
OoO
In a small fit of rage, she shouted, "Will you stop ignoring me!"
Sesshoumaru halted, turning slightly to cast the miko a glance. He raised his brow, saying, "This Sesshoumaru was not aware of such a thing happening. I believe I told you earlier where we were going, and we are headed in that direction."
She paused for a moment, knowing that that was true. Kagome's eyebrow twitched slightly, before she said, "But you've been—" She stopped once again; pursing her lips at the look that he gave her. He had been ignoring her, he obviously knew that, but it appeared that he would deny it if questioned.
He shook his head a bit, returning to his course. He replied, "If there is nothing of importance that you have to say, then it is best we continue on. After all, it is time that we lengthened your endurance, and Professor Katana has given this Sesshoumaru permission to use the grounds for tonight."
She bit her lip, staring at his back as he walked away from her. He was expecting her to follow, she knew that, but she could not get her feet to move. A question burned on the end of her tongue, wanting to be asked. She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from his own lips – wanted him to hear him say that he was courting her. She wanted to hear him say it so much, and she continued to stare at his back, debating on whether or not to ask him.
He stopped, turning once more to blink at Kagome. She had not moved from her place, and though he had already known that from her aura alone, he wanted to know why. "Is there something of importance, miko?" he asked.
"I—" she paused once more. Why does this have to be so hard?
Sighing, Sesshoumaru turned to move on once more. "If that is all, Kagome. We do not have all night if you wish to get some sleep before dawn."
Watching him move once more, she blurted out, "I have a question!"
He halted again, silently asking her to continue. Instead he got to watch as she marched up to him, a determined look in her eye. He blinked down at her, because she was obviously debating on whether or not her action was such a good idea. He urged her on silently, though, for there would be nothing that his chosen female was denied. The female he courted should not have such a troubled mind, especially since she knew clear as day that he was—
"I want to know," she halted his thoughts, "if—"
"If?" Sesshoumaru pressed.
Finally, angered by his slight mocking tone, she snapped, "I want to know if you're courting me."
Sesshoumaru blinked.
Kagome deflated, wondering if he had caught what she said after she had spoken so fast. She waited for him to answer, but upon getting nothing but a blank stare, she opened her mouth to apologize. However, she snapped her mouth shut when she noticed him close his eyes lightly and chuckle. "What?" she asked.
"Is that all you wanted?" he asked. "To know such a simple thing?"
"Yes," she nodded. She was not sure if she should be happy with him wanting to answer the question, or frightened of his calm attitude. It was like the calm before the storm, and she was not sure if she wanted to get caught up in Sesshoumaru's anger. Her beast whimpered at the very thought of him retaliating on her, spitting out that she should already know such a stupid question, and she waited until he might actually say such a thing.
"Well then, Kagome," he smirked a little at the tiny, almost unnoticeable shudder she gave when he said her name. "I believe I have a question of my own."
"You do?" she asked.
He nodded, replying, "If this Sesshoumaru recalls correctly, we do have a deal, miko. In exchange for admitting I like you trying to be my friend for more than simply my title or my status in life, I get to ask one question. Any question that I wish to ask, and you will answer it truthfully."
She nodded, remembering the deal they had made. Well, she had issued the deal and he had really dodged around actually telling her that he liked her trying to become his friend. But she had been so happy knowing that he at least liked her being around, no matter what he spat in her face for so long. There was no way that she could forget such a thing, though she was rather surprised that he remembered he could get something out of it after such a long time. She supposed, though, that he would really never forget something that would get him something in the end.
"Well?" he questioned. "Do you remember?"
"Yes," she huffed. Really, was it so hard to figure out that when she shook her head up and down she was answering his statement?
"To complete our little deal, then," Sesshoumaru began, "my question is this: what is it you feel, truly feel, toward this Sesshoumaru, Kagome?"
Her heart nearly skipped a beat, and she heard the excitement of her beast. If he wanted to know how she felt, and he was courting her, then he must feel more than she thought he did. The pieces fit together so perfectly, but she had to be sure. She licked her lips, asking, "You want to know how I feel?"
"Yes," Sesshoumaru replied. "That is all I want. Only to know how you feel."
"I—"
"Are you going to back out?" he asked.
"No," she shook her head. "I just—I feel—"
He stood there, patiently waiting for the answer that she would give. He knew from the many times that her beast declared him as its own that she must feel something more than friendship for him. Her feelings must have been pushed beyond that, beyond what both of them could ever have thought they would feel, and he wanted to hear it. He wanted to know that his chosen female wanted him, and then perhaps he would indulge her in a secret of his own.
"I feel," Kagome blushed lightly, "that I want to be with you everyday. I want to know you more than anyone ever has. I want so many things, Sesshoumaru, but I know that they all mean the same thing."
"Hn?" he pressed her on.
"I care for you more than I think I've ever cared for anyone else," Kagome admitted. "I'm not sure if it is love or my beast's wish to just stand at your side, but I know that you are someone very special to me. No matter what our past few months were like or what our future holds, I know that you are someone very close to my heart."
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, listening to the sound of his beast purr at the knowledge. The animal had calmed some more, delighting in the fact that his chosen female wanted him. She wished to be his mate, whether she wanted to say it or not, and her answer pleased him.
Kagome went to speak once more, wondering at his silence.
"This Sesshoumaru is courting you," he stated. "I would have announced it formally and would have followed the correct steps, but certain problems stopped me from doing so."
Kagome blinked, asking, "What?" She was not entirely certain if she had just heard him correctly. She had wanted to hear it so much, been dying to know why he had been ignoring her since he saved her from Akio. However, she was not sure if she had just heard him right.
His hand reached up, holding her jaw within his strong grip. He tilted her eyes until she was looking at him completely, a small smirk appearing on his lips from the way she blushed. "I, Sesshoumaru, am courting you," he said once more. He hated repeating himself, but he found that he did not care so much at that moment. She wanted to hear it, to make sure she had heard him correctly, and he was willing this one time to allow her such a thing.
"Rea—" Kagome stopped, shock coursing through her when she finally realized that he was leaning into her. She went to speak once more, but he stopped her by slanting his mouth across hers. She gasped a little, disbelieving the fact that Sesshoumaru was clearly kissing her, while complete and utter happiness flooded throughout her entire body. Her eyes slipped closed, allowing the moment to happen as little jolts went through her system.
Sesshoumaru devoured her lips, allowing himself the satisfaction of swimming in her scent and the mere pleasure that radiated from her. He took in the slight hesitation she showed, pressing her softly, until finally Kagome responded as he wished her. His tongue tangled with her own wet, fleshy appendage, while he tilted her head back further for a better angle. He finally kissed her as he had wanted, giving into the desire to share a nice, wet, nasty kiss with his chosen female, knowing that she wanted it as much as he wanted it.
Knowing, with the sparks flying between them, that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. And at the moment that was all Sesshoumaru needed. That was all he needed to know, all he wanted to know, and Sesshoumaru continued to kiss Kagome with that knowledge. Because he knew that though that was all he wanted, eventually it would lead to him having so much more.
KibaSin: Whoot! This chapter is officially complete, which means I can finally go work on other stuff. Like the stuff that I haven't worked on in ages because I've been trying to get this chapter done.
Also, this chapter has been betaed by Violetcarson, who is officially my new favorite person in the world. She's right up there with the greatest in my opinion, since she writes, she betas for me, and she probably has a bunch of other amazing talents that even I don't know about. But, I hope that you've enjoyed the work she's done with it because she works extremely hard in my opinion.
On another note, I can now be found at Dokuga under the username "Kiba". I haven't posted any of my stuff there yet, but I will get around to it eventually. I also have a deviantart account under the username "KibaSin". I have a bunch of my writings there, but I'm supposed to get a scanner within the next few days or around my birthday, so that will be when I get my drawings up. Until then, basically all you'll find is my fanfiction and poetry that I've written over the years.
Anyway, have a good day. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, despite the fact that I was planning to write more of a romantic piece at the end. I got lazy. Lol.
Kiba