Chapter 6:

Sango followed the so-called Monk as he led them around the festival grounds. People were slowly dissipating because of the late hour. Their friends were still missing. The tanned monk had offered to help her find her ward, so to speak, if she would help him find his in return. She reluctantly agreed but decided it was in her, and his, best interest if he leads.

'There is no way he is getting behind me again…lecher.' She fought the urge to lay bodily harm on the man and, instead, opted for a more practical route; imagining him strung up by his toes.

Miroku kicked a stray Styrofoam cup from his path as he continued his search through the shrine's many buildings. He glanced back at his female companion and gulped back his fear at her withering glare. "So…Sango-san, you're a demon exterminator?" Sango stopped in her tracks and eyed his back warily.

"Yes, I am…How did you know?" She ran a few steps to catch up with him, his stride seeming to increase.

"Well, it's kind of obvious from the way you carry yourself. Such grace. And..." He trailed off, eyeing her up and down.

"And?"

"I can see the outline of that kunai in your sleeve." He scratched the back of his head and looked around. Sango's face turned beat red and she whipped around to fix her kimono sleeve. If the wrong person saw that, she'd be in trouble. "Most importantly, it was more or less a hunch. You just confirmed it." A breeze carried stray cups across the ground. Miroku stopped walking and looked around.

"What is it?"

His eyes widened as he felt a surge of demonic power coming from the south west side of the grounds. "Inuyasha! He's over there!"

Miroku broke out into a run towards a huge grouping of trees, while Sango hung back a bit. 'Well, I did say I'd help him but who is Inuyasha?'

Sango took off after the robed man and stopped just short of tumbling into his back.

"Why did you stop?" She looked around. They had come upon a small wooded area with a small stream that ran through it. All of a sudden, she felt Miroku on top of her. "What are you doing?" she cried, feeling his body weight press her down. The sound of splintering wood invaded her ears.

Miroku hunched over Sango as he attempted to shield her from the onslaught of debris. The females eyes were clenched shut and her fists were buried in his robes. His breath fanned over her cheeks. "Are you okay, my lady?" She gave a small nod. Once he was sure that nothing else was going to explode, he was back on his feet and offering his hand to his female companion.

"What the fuck just happened?" They brushed the dirt off of themselves.

"It had to be Inuyasha! That's his demonic aura I feel-" he went rigid, doubling over and clutching his stomach. "Miroku!" Sango threw her arm around his shoulder to steady him. A fine sheen of sweat coated his face and he gasped for breath. "Incredible." He wheezed out.

"What's wrong? Who is Inuyasha?" Sango asked frantically. The male shrugged off her hold and stumbled to his feet.

"Why, he's the Demon Lord, of course! And the surge of spiritual power that passed through me - I've never felt anything like it before!"

Sango quirked an eyebrow. 'Demon Lord? Spiritual power? That must mean…' Sango shoved past the monk.

"Kagome!"

Miroku caught up to her and they rounded the building. There in front of them were their friends.

"There you are!"

Sango turned, mouth gaping at her companion, while he exhibited the same reaction.

"That's your friend?" They mouthed to each other.

They both turned to see their friends, mouths gaping open, staring at them. Inuyasha coughed, straightening to his full height and backed away from Kagome. A pretty rose red crept up and into her cheeks as she realized how close they had been.

Folding his arms into his red haori, the demon lord glared at his friend. "You finally regained consciousness?" He smirked as he received a glare.

"For your information, this beautiful woman came to my rescue. One day, I am going to marry her!" Miroku declared as he swung his clothed arm around Sango's shoulders, pulling her closer.

"Excuse me? I have a say in this!" She grabbed the monk's arm and twisted it, forcing him to the ground. "You're nothing but a pervert! Are you even a monk?" She continued her assault why the newcomers observed.

Kagome giggled and Inuyasha's ear tweaked in her direction. "Keh."

She glanced at him out from under her lowered lashes and smiled. He looked at her and looked away just as quickly, scratching at his slightly reddening cheek.

He focused his attention back on Miroku, now unconscious again, and the unknown woman.

"Who are you?" His voice seemed to still the air around them and Sango looked up. Her eyes all but screamed defiance. He sniffed the air around her as she stalked over and grabbed Kagome. A low growl burst out from him before he could stop it. Who did she think she was?

He snarled at the woman as she placed herself between himself and her friend.

The young girl put a reassuring hand on Sango's shoulder and introduced her. "This is Sango. She's my friend, Inuyasha!" Sango gasped.

"Kagome! Why are you acting so familiar with him? Show some respect!" She stiffened and bowed to the man and Kagome followed suit.

Inuyasha quirked his brow at the action. He didn't feel it necessary to point out that they hadn't exactly been conversing in the usual way that was customary for the demon lord. The long haired girl spoke up first.

"Kagome, it's almost midnight…we better get going." She eyed the hanyou and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Yes, I suppose so…my parents will be worried…" she trailed off.

"I better take my leave too." Inuyasha pushed his foot against Miroku's back and was rewarded with a light snore. Sango could really pack a punch. He could respect that.

"and Kagome…"

"Yes?" She looked up as he walked over to her. He lifted her chin with the crook of his finger and leaned forward. She could feel his hot breath fanning over her face and she shivered with excitement. 'What's he doing?' she gulped back the unfamiliar feeling willing its self up inside of her. Her face was burning. She was positive that the demon could hear her heart trying to leap out of her chest.

"There's something special about you..." He trailed off. Kagome gulped as she felt a clawed finger trailing up her side. Over her hip. Past her waist. Over her breast. Her breaths came in gasps. She soon found herself gazing into his amber pools. His hand tilting her chin up so he filled her view. The world was gone. He growled out, sensing Sango trying to intervene. His aura pulsed, pushing back anyone that intended to interrupt the claim he was staking.

"I will be seeing you again really soon, mate." He leaned in the last few inches and placed lips over hers. A feather light touch turned to rough and needing. Inuyasha wrapped his arm around Kagome, pulling her into his embrace. The hard planes of his body fitting against her curves like a puzzle piece. The kiss deepened, his tongue pushing against her soft lips. He snaked his clawed hand up her neck and buried it in her raven tresses. She moaned, opening her mouth for him. Their tongues danced together – seeking, needing, dominating.

He bit her bottom lip, licking the tiny blood droplet that formed. She was sweet. She would be his. She was his.

He leaped back towards the monk and plucked him from the cold was slung him over his shoulder.

Thunder crackled in the distance and a stalk of lightning crashed. The grounds lit up and Kagome felt herself tugged against a feminine form. Squeezing her eyes shut, she buried her face into Sango's shoulder, blocking out the bright flash.

When she opened them, Inuyasha was gone but the place that he had kissed her still tingled – liquid heat pooled at her core. She was shook from her thoughts as she was grabbed by Sango.

"Kagome, let's go!" Sango whined, dragging her away from the grounds. This was bad. The demon lord had found his mate – staked his claim. He had staked a claim on her friend. And, unknowingly, on a miko.

Kagome was unusually quiet and Sango discontinued her dragging and let the miko walk on her own. She observed the girl as she let out a sigh and looked longingly at the spot where the demon had disappeared.

Inuyasha paced around his quarters. The room was dimly lit with candles, and his four poster bed resided against the eastern wall. He sighed and took his place at its edge and buried his face in his clawed hands.

The girl that he had met at the festival, she was beyond beautiful. The way her eyes had shined when she smiled at him had caused his heart to beat like a humming bird's wings. He sighed and went to blow out the room's only light source. He was conflicted. He shouldn't be affected so strongly by a human girl after just meeting her. He beat his fist against his head. Then again, he was a demon. Human mates were not unheard of. He smirked, watching the smoke of the candle dance away. 'Mate.' He purred into the darkness.

Bidding goodnight to her female companion, Kagome returned home to her family after her exciting adventure at the grounds. Oh, how wonderful! The demon lord was quite the catch. 'I just want to run my fingers through his silvery locks…' She opened the door and closed it softly so she wouldn't wake her parents. She turned around to walk up the stairs but was momentarily blinded as the living room light flashed on.

She rubbed her eyes a few times before removing her hands from her face.

"Kagome…" her father started.

"Dad! Wow, it's late! Why are you still up? Shouldn't you be in bed?" she asked nervously. She played with the obi of her kimono and gave him a questioning look.

Naraku picked up a glass filled with a brownish liquid, which she could only presume to be whiskey. His eyes were half lidded as he gazed up at her from over the rim. "It's late…" he hiccupped.

She felt goose bumps run up her arm as she surveyed her father's appearance. His eyes were glazed over and bloodshot, and his clothing was wrinkled and disheveled.

"You should be in bed…" he trailed off as his eyes traveled the length of her body. He moved to stand from his resting place as Kagome retreated to the stairs.

"Kagome…" he slurred as he took a step.

Uttering a hasty "good night" she quickly retreated up the stairs and locked the door behind her.

A/N: We're on track again! I'll repost the latest chapter soon. I am working on Chapter 8 but I am a little stuck at the moment. Any ideas are appreciated!