Chapter Seventeen

Kagome blinked as Parker hopped down from the bird still in Parker's arms, instead of letting her down. She let him keep hold of her, knowing his protective instincts were probably in overdrive and she didn't want to do anything that set him off. She just let herself lean against him as she took in her surroundings.

"Where are we?" Kagome asked, seeing the different buildings around her. Parker was taking her into one of the biggest buildings, which somewhat looked like a castle, but the design matched a lot of the other housing around them.

"This is the Beast City. Leopard Castle to be exact. This is my Father's territory." Parker said, as he quickly went through the halls and into a room. It had a bed and very minimal of things one would need to survive, it was honestly not what she had been expecting when she had learned he was the son of the leopard king but maybe she was buried far too deeply into the yokai hierarchy of things. She would have to ask him later how the title of king was passed down in this world of beasts.

For now, she just wanted to not think too hard, she was tired in every sense of the word from the last week of events. So as he sat her down on her feet, she gave him a smile.

"How long are we to be here for?...and where is Bai?" Kagome knew that Bai had been among them when they had left, asleep in the claws of one of the birds. She didn't get to talk to the girl, but she had caught glimpses of her.

"She is going to be looked over by a healer and my mother will be talking to her." He took Kagome in his arms, letting his face fall into the crook of her neck, a low purr coming from him. Kagome put her arms around him, letting her fingers comb through his hair as she felt his body relax.

"Hey..." Kagome whispered, pushing him back a bit so she could see his face. He looked so tired, and sad, "I'm fine now. I am here." She went to cup his cheek, brushing her fingers under the bags that were prominent under his eyes. He was still covered in dirt and small scrapes here and there, but he was still handsome.

"You didn't get much sleep the whole time I was gone...did you," Kagome asked, though she did know that answer already. Parker was too protective and proud to give up on his search for her. He would have looked for her until he collapsed or he found her dead.

"Not really..." He muttered, closing his eyes at the feeling of Kagome's gentle touches. He didn't know if he was going to see her again. To have her here with him, touching him and speaking to him, meant the world to him. Even with her covered in blood and dirt, she was the most beautiful sight he had seen.

Kagome could only smile as she continued to rub his face with small soothing circles of her thumbs, her eyes taking in the tan skin that was revealed under all the grime that covered him. She blinked as she rubbed circles on his cheeks, blinking as a marking appeared on his left cheek where before there had been none.

"Um Parker, I think you earned another stripe!" Her voice while low as to not break the tender moment between them yet held awe and surprise in it. She recalled that the number of stripes one held displayed their power ranking while in human form, much like kitsune with the number of tails they had in her old world.

Parker blinked, his eyes snapping open at her words. "I...what?" He jerked as she ran her finger over the newly acquired stripe, the skin now more sensitive than before. Grabbing her hand with his, he moved it to his lips and pressed a light kiss to the digits, "It's all thanks to you my Kagome." She flushed red, her heart beating in her chest like a drum.

"Ah, well I still feel horrible for everything I put you through." Her voice was lowered, her gaze not lifting to meet his. She had put him through so much, and here he was still wanting to stay by her side.

She really didn't deserve him.

Parker gave a low croon, feeling her emotions shift. She was blaming herself for something she had no control over, and he would not stand for it. No. Placing a finger under her chin he angled her head to look up at him, her eyes bashfully glancing up at him through her thick lashes. "Kagome." He paused to get her full undivided attention.

"I told you, I will always stay by your side. I love you, you are my everything. Never doubt that, ever." The conviction in his voice made tears well up in her eyes, his words were so earnest and pure that they shot through any and all walls that she had thrown up between them.

Throwing her arms around him she pulled his head down to hers, her hand on his neck curling in the hair at the base of it she pressed her lips to his, willing every emotion she was feeling to pass through her into him because there was no way that words would ever be enough.

Parker groaned as they broke the kiss, his lungs were burning and his lips were eager to return to hers yet he paused as he dragged the tip of his tongue along her cheek. Revolt ran through him at the taste of blood and grime that ruined the sweet taste of her mouth. Breathing heavily through his nose he pressed his forehead on hers, smiling as she whined and tried to capture his lips again.

"Ah, we should get cleaned up before we continue. I don't like the sweet taste of you being tainted but such filth." His words were heated, his gaze molten gold and it made her flush like a schoolgirl. Giving her a cheeky grin he scooped her up and excited his room, heading towards the indoor hot spring his father had installed to please his mother all those years ago.

Sure, was he toeing the line using them without asking?

Yes.

Did he care at the moment?

Not at all.

The humid air rushed out of the closed doors as he punished them open only to kick it shut with a thud. With a few long strides, he made his way to the rocks placed around the steaming waters to act as a seat upon which to sit and lounge. Gently he placed Kagome on a rock, shivering as she placed a kiss to his collar bone before he could pull away.

With quick fingers he shed his furs, standing before her clothed in nothing but the necklace she had gifted him, his heart was beating a mile a minute, the feeling intoxicating, he felt like he was on a hunt and his prey was within his reach.

Kagome could only shiver, her blood heating in her veins, the sound of her heart thundering in her ears as her eyes took in the male bared before her. He was bearing his all, not only his physical being but his emotions and the very core of himself. All for her, laid out for her to see and to make her choice.

She knew without a doubt if all she wanted to was end things with those kisses and just wash up he would respect her wishes and not try to guilt her or begrudge her for it. Instead, he would no doubt offer to help her bathe and pamper her all the while keeping his desires to himself. And that was what made her finally give in.

The last week without him... had been horrid and she didn't want to ever be without him again. She was being foolish, hiding behind her past and her hang-ups, using them as an excuse to keep him away. It was plain for her to see now, she had fallen hard and fast for him, and while it was unexpected she needed to stop fighting it.

She needed to stop wasting time.

So it was with a light flush that she shifted, her back strengthening as she moved her hands to the ties that held her clothes in place. With slightly trembling fingers she undid them, baring herself to him.

Her scars, her faults, and her feelings.