A/N: I don't know what I'm doing. I have SO many stories in progress and I know this is probably to worst thing I can do right now, but I can't seem to stop myself so HERE WE FUCKING GO! I've been searching for alternatives to the meds I've been taking to deal with my mental health issues and let me tell you: It has been a fucking rollercoaster. That being said, I've decided to roll with the punches and embrace my crazy, so why not give in to the madness just a pinch? This will be a collection of drabbles, ficlets and one-shots that have been floating around in my head so insistently that I have started to story-tell out loud and my family thinks that I am more insane than I actually am—especially since they don't have a damn clue what I'm talking about. SO— each of these stories will have a one-word prompt, (the first of which 10 are picked by my 6-year-old via his weekly spelling lists) that I will pick at my choosing from those reviewers that wish to give them. Make any sense? No? Good. I present to you, A Taste of Madness.

Just so you know, this first piece was suggested by one of my readers (nicki-minaj's wife) some time ago and it just took me this long to get around to it because I had hoped to finish TOIL first, but that hasn't happened, so OH WELL. This is in no way connected to the rest of this story; just a little alternate scene after Kouga's return with Tsubaki that I thought would be a fun read.

Pairing: Kagome Higurashi x Kanae

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. I do own my characters. Just thought I'd point that out

Want

Kanae had been called many things since she had come to the Western Citadel. People thought her a seductress, coming to ensnare the attentions of their Lord. Some called her frigid, for in her time within the palace walls, she had not only kept her distance from said Lord, but had kept her distance from every male she came across. Some even called her a spy, because if she was not interested in tricking the dog demon into marriage, surely, she was here to steal the secrets of the West? If anyone had bothered to ask her opinion, she would have said she was one thing for certain: Bewitched. All it took was one look into those dazzling sapphire eyes; one whiff of that delectable scent; one time hearing that enchanting voice that sounded like music—and she was under the raven-haired priestess's spell.

"…and then he had the nerve to say that I had no reason to train with Lord Sesshoumaru, because he would protect me!"

The ocean-eyed temptress was ranting angrily, running a brush through her long, silken locks as she did. She was positively fuming after her run-in with her fiancé—possibly, ex-fiancé if she had heard Kagome correctly—and she had requested Kanae's presence along with some tea to help calm her. The young girl had just had a bath, but she seemed to be exhausted from her training with Sesshoumaru. Not to mention, she had been injured quite badly, so badly in fact, that she was wearing nothing now but her bandages across her chest and back beneath a silken robe that was loosely tied at her waist to avoid irritating her wounds. Kanae swallowed, finding that she was suddenly salivating, and struggled to pay attention to what the female before her was saying.

Their tea had long-since gone cold, forgotten when the human girl began to vent her frustrations. She sat petulantly before her vanity, her beautiful features illuminated by the demon light lanterns throughout the room. She faced the mirror, eyes glaring at her hair spilling over her shoulder as though it was Kouga and her brush was a weapon with which she was striking the wolf-prince. Kanae smirked. The little woman was a spitfire that never ceased to amuse her. At the moment, the tigress found herself lounging lazily on a plush chair she had moved to be closer to the girl as she completed her night-time rituals. She had done nothing but listen, but she found that her presence alone was doing some good, because Kagome was not nearly as tense as she had been when she came in from her bath. Kanae almost felt guilty; the priestess had come to her in need of a friend and here she was, drooling after the girl and wishing that it was her hands running through those shining tresses instead of that brush.

"He acts as though I am a helpless child! As though I have never been without him! As though I am his property! Well, if that is what he thinks then this whole engagement can go to hell because I refuse to tie myself to anyone that will make me feel…"

Kanae's ears perked and she focused her eyes on the reflection of the woman before her. Kagome's hands had stilled in their progress through her hair and she was staring blankly at the countertop of her vanity—though Kanae was sure she wasn't looking at the perfumes and hair ornaments on its surface. Kanae frowned, sitting up when she noticed Kagome's lips begin to tremble and her eyes start to shine as tears built within her glittering orbs. Slowly, the girl brought the brush to rest on the vanity, the sound of the object meeting the wood loud in the sudden quiet.

"He…he called me disfigured…"

Kanae bit back a snarl as the object of her affections looked up at her reflection and lifted her fingertips to delicately trace the slightly crooked line of her nose. Rage filled the tigress's veins as she saw the doubt rising within Kagome; could smell the girl's sadness. If she could, she would rip the wolf's tongue from his blasphemous mouth. All at once, she was on her feet and coming to stand behind Kagome, clawed hands resting on her shoulders firmly so that she got her attention. Hesitantly, Kagome lifted her eyes to meet the citrine gaze of the demoness in the mirror, a few tears spilling free and trailing down her pale cheeks. She moved to wipe them away before she returned her eyes to her reflection. Kanae let out a soft growl and leaned down to take hold of the stool Kagome sat on, turning it with ease so that she was facing her. Kagome looked up at her with wide, sad eyes and Kanae could not stand the sight of her distress any longer.

"You are beautiful," she said evenly. Kagome scoffed, turning her head and wiped away more tears as they continued to spill. Kanae carefully reached out to tuck her clawed fingertips beneath Kagome's small, pointed chin, turning her face so that she could have her full attention. "You. Are. Beautiful."

Kagome smiled weakly and sniffled. She began to nibble on her bottom lip in her nervousness and Kanae's eyes locked on the sight. Her pupils narrowed to slits and she gently brought her hands to cup Kagome's cheeks, her thumbs running across her silky skin to brush the tears away. Kagome let out a shaky breath and her lips trembled some more as they parted so she could speak.

"I am ruined," Kagome said, her voice shaking. "I have… so many scars—I will have more after today—and… my face…"

She let out a sob and closed her eyes and Kanae could take no more. She knew that Kagome could never see her the way that she wanted, but at this moment in time, Kanae did not care. All she cared about was letting the poor, vulnerable female know that she was far from undesirable. Without waiting for the human female to open her eyes, Kanae ducked down, pressing her lips to the trembling ones before her.

She felt Kagome go stiff, but all Kanae could focus on was the unbelievable softness of the lips against hers. She moved, tilting her face so that she could continue. She breathed sharply through her nose, taking in the smell of Kagome's tears mixed with her natural perfume, her head beginning to spin at the scent of her. Her hands held Kagome's face, sliding gently so that her fingers tangled in her loose locks behind her head, tilting the girl's head as well and Kanae was surprised when she felt Kagome relax in her hands. There was a soft sigh and Kanae felt a thrill run through her when the soft petals that were Kagome's lips began to move against her own. She would have purred, but she knew that she could not take more than the girl was able to give. Regretfully, she pulled away slowly, sucking Kagome's bottom lip gently before letting go.

She looked into the flushed face before her, her hands still knotted in Kagome's hair as she watched her slowly open her eyes, staring up at her in a daze. Kanae felt pride in knowing that she was the cause of that look, but she focused on the task at hand and gave the younger female a warm smile as she brought her hands back to cup her cheeks.

"You are beautiful," Kanae repeated, her voice husky with need she was set on ignoring. "Don't ever for an instant think yourself less. Even if you did not look a warrior goddess personified, your heart, your soul, your very being is lovelier than any jewel on this earth." Kanae watched the flush in Kagome's cheeks spread down her neck, dipping beneath the violet silk of her robe, before she raised her eyes to stare into the ones before her. "Your scars? They are a testament to your strength; your triumphs. Never be ashamed of them. Do you see any male ashamed of theirs? Do they not parade them around like badges of honor? We are no different; our scars are not less. We are not less. You…"

Kanae had to fight the powerful urge to pull the girl to her and devour those lips once more as she watched the light returning to Kagome's eyes at her words. She felt her heart flutter in her chest and she thought that she could be happy for the rest of her days knowing that she had managed to restore the girl's confidence—even if she never got to taste her again.

"You," she repeated, dropping her hands to Kagome's shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze. "You are not less."

It took a lot to catch Kanae off-guard. She was a demon after all. Her senses were sharp; she had the instincts of a predator. She was a lethal specimen and she had never lost in a fair fight. But, when that little, human female pounced on her, nearly knocking her off her feet; Kanae was not prepared for it. She gasped, eyes widening as Kagome slammed her lips to hers and reached out to tangle her hands in her hair, pulling the demoness closer to her. Kanae could have pushed her away—she was much stronger than the woman currently kissing her breath away—but she did not want to.

Kanae's eyes rolled back and she felt heat flush over her skin as her hands came up, one taking hold of Kagome's neck gently, the other winding around the girl's waist carefully, avoiding the wound on her back. The purr she had been holding back vibrated in her chest and she felt Kagome's body tremble in response. There was a whimper from the female and Kanae inhaled sharply at the feeling of a soft, probing tongue making its way between her lips and brushing against her fangs. Kanae knew she had to stop this before it went too far. She could not, in good conscious, continue when she knew that Kagome would regret it afterward. With a control she didn't know herself capable of, she tightened her grip on Kagome's neck—nearly losing the battle when she heard the moan spill from Kagome's lips—and pulled her mouth away.

"Kagome…" she whispered, eyes still closed but a frown on her face. "We can't."

She heard a growl from the girl in her arms and her eyes opened in surprise. Kagome was glaring at her, her orbs no longer filled with tears, but burning with heat instead. Her lips were pulled back angrily, and her hands tightened in Kanae's hair, making the demoness bare her own fangs, though not in anger. Kagome pressed the front of her body against her, and Kanae distractedly noticed that the robe had slipped down one of her shoulders, baring more flushed skin to the demoness's gaze.

If she was a dog, she would have whimpered.

"And why can't we?" Kagome demanded.

Kanae blinked in surprise and could do nothing but stare at her. Her mouth floundered and suddenly Kagome was walking, pushing them through the room, guiding Kanae until the tigress's legs bumped into the bed and the two of them tumbled onto the mattress. Why she was letting this human push her around, she had no idea, but she did nothing but resettle her hands onto Kagome's hips from her position beneath the deliciously warm female.

"You…you do not want this," Kanae tried to reason, even as Kagome released her hair, moving and readjusting so that she now straddled Kanae's waist, her robe parting, riding up her legs, baring the milky flesh of her thighs and Kanae groaned, dragging her eyes back to the girl's face. "You are just upset and vulnerable—I should not have forced myself on you—"

"I am positively sick of everyone telling me what it is that I want!" Kagome snapped. Her hands were shaking as she sat up, reaching for the ties of her robe and Kanae's eyes widened. She was mortified to realize that there was heat in her cheeks as she realized what the priestess was doing.

"Kagome!" she breathed, hands reaching out to stop her, only to feel a snap of holy power at her fingertips, making her stop.

"You have watched me from the first moment I came to this place," Kagome said, the frustration gone from her voice as she ever so slowly tugged on the sash at her waist. "You have wanted me since we first met… but you were happy to be nothing but a friend to me…"

Kanae swallowed back the emotion building in her chest at Kagome's words. She knew they were true, but Kagome was making her seem like some selfless hero when that wasn't the case. Just because she had settled on being Kagome's friend did not mean she was happy with it. In fact, she was miserable. She wanted this girl above her more than she had ever wanted anyone, but she knew that Kagome was not interested and had resigned herself to the position of companion because she would rather be her friend than not have her at all. She opened her mouth to say as much, but Kagome stopped her with a fingertip to her lips.

"No one has ever cared for me as much," Kagome said softly, giving a final tug and letting the robe fall down her shoudlers. "And I… I want this…"

She pulled the fabric away, letting it slide off her body, off the bed, onto the floor. Kanae's hands twitched, itching to reach out and touch. This woman was going to kill her—she could only take so much. Kanae looked up at Kagome with a predator's gaze and she knew that her eyes were glowing. Kagome bit down on her bottom lip, the hints of insecurity bleeding back into her eyes and Kanae was sitting up, shifting the girl on her lap so that she could carefully hold onto her hips. Her nose bumped Kagome's chin before running along her jaw, inhaling deeply, marveling when Kagome let out a soft sigh and let her head fall back, baring her throat. Kanae reached out, her rough tongue running along the petal-soft skin of the priestess in her hold, to taste the flesh so willingly offered to her.

"You are sure?" Kanae asked in a husky whisper against her skin. "You are sure that you want this?" She nipped at the skin of Kagome's shoulder and felt the girl shiver with want, smelling a cloud of something savory and delicious coming from the between them, where the younger woman's legs parted, straddled over the tiger's body. "Because once I have you, I won't let go."

"I…I am sure," Kagome panted, her hands resting on Kanae's shoulders, running down to her elbows and back slowly. Kanae smirked and she was suddenly on her feet, lifting, turned, shifting, and she chuckled at the dizzy stare of the girl that was now carefully lying on her back so as not to stress her injury.

"Good," Kanae said with a growl.

She let her eyes run over the mostly nude body before her. Kagome, covered only by her bandages, was still the most delicious thing she had ever laid eyes on. Said girl was breathing heavily under her stare, her body flushing as her heart began to race in her chest. Kanae's smirk widened and she lowered to hold herself above Kagome's body on her knees and elbows. Her golden hair spilled over shoulders to surround them both and watched Kagome gasp at her closeness, her pupils large and the blue of her eyes dark as she looked up at Kanae through hooded eyes. Kanae dipped her head to press her lips to Kagome's swiftly before pulling back just enough to meet her eyes.

"I…I have never been with a woman—female—anyone, really—"Kagome stammered, her eyes shining with nervousness now. Kanae chuckled and dropped her lips to Kagome's ear, her tongue flicking out to lick the lobe, making the girl gasp and her body twitch and Kanae felt smug at how reactive she was to her touch.

"I know," Kanae whispered in her ear. "I plan on correcting that shortly."

Kagome let out a shaky breath and a soft, "Oh."

Kanae was pressing kisses, licks; nipping at the skin of Kagome's neck, her shoulder; her lips trailed across the girl's collarbone before Kanae began to travel back up her throat, to her chin, before finally coming to her lips. Kagome's lips parted and Kanae swallowed her gasp; their teeth crashing together, tongues swirling, hands reaching and touching in a dance spurred entirely on instinct. It seemed like hours before Kagome finally pulled away, her head falling back as she gasped for air, but Kanae just shifted her attention back to Kagome's throat, her hands running over her shoulders, claws tickling as they traveled down her sides, gently running over her belly and back up to her chest where she just barely applied pressure to Kagome's sensitized breasts that were trapped beneath the binding of bandages, but still so wonderfully receptive to her touch.

"How…how do we… do this?" Kagome asked between panting and gasping. "I…I don't know what to do…"

Kanae pushed herself up onto her hands, smirking down at Kagome's flushed face, taking in the sheen of sweat that broken out over her skin and the glazed look in her eyes. Kanae licked her lips and let her eyes close as she inhaled that wonderful scent again before she scooted back, letting her feet touch the floor and she brought herself down just enough so that her breath could dance across Kagome's skin as she dragged herself away from her face and down her body, stopping only when her knees were on the floor, her hands were on Kagome's knees, and she could pry her willing legs apart to nestle herself between them. She purred in desire when that scent filled the room and her senses so that she could no longer smell anything else but Kagome's need. She bared her fangs in a wicked smile and dipped her head to kiss the scar just above Kagome's hip before lowering a bit more to kiss the top of one smooth thigh. She delighted at the sight of the muscles twitching—and she was just getting started.

"There are…many ways," Kanae whispered against her skin as her hands cupped the girl's calves and squeezed gently.

"Sh-show me…" Kagome whispered, her head tilted so that she could look down at the tigress, her face growing redder from her embarrassment. "Please…"

"As you wish, my lady…"

Above her, from her place on the bed, Kagome threw her head back as her eyes widened and her mouth opened in a silent scream as Kanae showed her exactly how desirable she found her.

Over and over again.

Fin

A/N: Did I use this as an excuse to be a pervert? No; I don't need an excuse to be a pervert—but it was still fun to write. Let me know what you guys think! I will be posting another chapter soon, hopefully. In the meantime, look out for updates on my other stories that are still in progress: The One I Love, Devoted, and The After.