Apologies for the seriously long amount of time between this and the last chapter. It's been a perfect storm of real life, writer's block, and then a persistent plot bunny in the form of a Nurarihyon/Yohime AU diverting attention from this story to itself. But, hey, at least I never promised any sort of updating schedule, hmm? ;-)

Also, a big thank you to Sabina for beta-ing this chapter!

Quotes:

"Living was a dangerous past-time, and often quite painful—but there was also such joy in living, such beauty, things that one would otherwise never see, never experience, never know. The risk of pain and loss was a part of living."
–Jim Butcher, Captain's Fury

"'tis true that we are in great danger;
The greater therefore should our courage be."
–William Shakespeare, Henry V

Seattle, Washington

Sesshōmaru sensed her before he heard the soft rap on his office door. He didn't miss a beat in his phone conversation, lifting a hand to stave off any verbal interruptions when she poked her head in the door.

She winked at him impishly and settled in one of the armchairs, waiting patiently.

When he'd completed the business matter he was attending to and hung up the phone, he turned to regard the petite silver-haired, golden-eyed woman. Her head was bowed over her cell phone, a couple stray locks of hair that had escaped her partial up-do framing her face. Between the magenta markings on her cheekbones and the crescent moon on her forehead, she bore such a strong resemblance to him, no one would ever know they weren't actually related.

Not that Sesshōmaru felt any need to clarify that fact—for all intents and purposes, she was his daughter.

"Rin."

Rin's head popped up at the sound of her name. "Oh! I'm sorry, 'Maru! I didn't even realize you'd finished."

With false seriousness, he asked, "Are you simply here to pester me, or do you actually have a purpose for your visit?"

There had been a time—a very long time ago—when that question would have caused her to stammer nervously and apologize for her intrusion. Or, in the more recent past, stick her bottom lip out and pout. Now, however, she merely rolled her eyes.

"Impudent brat," he muttered, but the admonishment held no heat, only fondness.

"I hardly think at 472 years old that I'm a 'brat' anymore. You and I both know you're affecting annoyance at me being here. And do I have to have a reason? Can't a girl just come by to see her father at work?" She fluttered long white lashes at him in mock innocence.

"Rin." Sesshōmaru fixed her with as stern a look as he could muster. "You live next door to me. On my estate."

She grinned. "Sheesh, all work and no play makes 'Maru a dull boy. In answer to your question, I came to see if you'd heard anything further about the Tokyo hotel project I suggested?"

For some reason Sesshōmaru could not fathom, Rin had gotten it into her head that she wanted to establish a luxury hotel for yokai and other supernatural creatures in Tokyo. She argued it was so they would have somewhere nice to stay when they visited, but also one that generated revenue when they weren't in town and was more multipurpose than a house. Considering that they hadn't returned to Japan since they'd left over four hundred years ago and that he still owned a small amount of land in Matsue, Sesshōmaru failed to see the logic. Especially since he was no longer the Japanese "Lord of the West."

"Rin. I explained to you that acquiring property in Tokyo would not be as simple as you made it sound, particularly when you desire said property to be a business venture. While this Sesshōmaru is by no means insignificant, our stature in the Japanese yokai community is not what it was four or five hundred years ago. There are politics to consider, clan leaders to negotiate with, contracts to be made…"

She crossed her arms, expression growing stubborn. "And?"

Sesshōmaru blinked. "Whatever do you mean, 'and'?"

"I know you—or Jaken, rather—contacted Kōga for information about the clan ruling the Kanto area. Have you gotten in touch with them? What did they say?"

He sucked in a deep breath, counted to ten, and let it out slowly. As loath as I am to make the comparison, the girl can be like a dog with a bone when she gets her mind set on things… "Remind me again why you are so insistent we pursue this venture? I am not criticizing your business proposal—you have had a keen eye for promising investments in the past. However, why Tokyo, and why the impatience?"

"For starters, why not?" She swiped at the silvery strands of hair in her face, shoving them behind her ears. "Also, why not Tokyo? I want Kentarō to see where his father was born, to visit his grandfather and Kikyō's shrine—"

"Assuming it still stands."

Rin frowned. "It does."

"Hn." The way she was fidgeting with her hair indicated there was more than just her wanting her son to see Tokyo. "And? Why now?"

"Anō… So…you remember Hachi? Miroku's friend?" When he stared at her blankly, she added, "The tanuki?"

"Ah yes, right. I thought he died in one of those damned Gokadoin purges?"

"Yes, he did, but I've stayed in touch with one of his daughters, Yae. She's sort of an…informant for her clan as the Shikoku yokai and the Nuragumi are… Well, for lack of a better word, frenemies. Anyway…according to her, the Nuragumi Third Heir is mixed up with a miko…a miko from the Higurashi shrine," she said, and though she was clearly trying to keep it reined in, her excitement crept in at the end of her explanation.

"Rin, just because she's descended from Inuyasha and Kikyō doesn't mean she's friendly toward yokai. She may not want to have anything to do with you."

"Not if what Yae says is true! She says the Sandaime and this miko are dating."

Sesshōmaru raised an eyebrow, and then shook his head. "Evidently Kikyō's genes must be strong in the girl. Though Nurarihyon always was eccentric…" There was no telling, and he didn't really care. He sighed. But Rin does…and that has potential to be problematic. "Don't get your hopes up that she'll want to befriend you, Rin."

"And maybe you should be more optimistic. She is, after all, your many times removed niece."

At that, Sesshōmaru scoffed. "Tch. In name only. And barely even that…"

Rin shrugged, undeterred, and then narrowed her eyes at him. "All right, 'Maru, quid pro quo. I answered your questions of why, so tell me—have you or Jaken had contact with the Nura clan?"

"Yes, Jaken has communicated with someone in the Nuragumi. Kentarō and I will stop over in Tokyo for a few days next week en route to the meeting in Sydney. In the event that I'm able to secure a deal amenable to all parties involved, the fox will accompany you and the two of you can handle it from there."

She nodded, smiling. "Thank you." Then, "Hey, wait a minute! Why's Kentarō going with you?"

"Hn. I wager 'because I said so' is not going to suffice?" At her scowl, he gave a low chuckle. "Because if your son's going to be my heir—no, don't argue, we both know you are not nearly as interested in it as you pretend to be—the brat has a lot to learn. And also, he's heading up the deal in Sydney. A trial run, with me there to ensure things go smoothly."

Her expression softened. "Thank you for mentoring him…even if sometimes I complain about how strict you are… And yes, I know you think I'm too soft on him. Don't even go there." Then Rin's brows furrowed, and she straightened. "You said Shippō will go with me?"

"Yes, apparently, despite being pregnant, his wife intends to accept a visiting professorship position at the University of Tokyo. She doesn't want to be away from Shippō during the duration of the hotel project, or some such nonsense." The fox had rambled on incessantly about the vixen and his daughters and unborn son during the course of their phone conversation, making Sesshōmaru regret that he had not simply emailed to discuss Shippō's accompanying Rin to Tokyo.

Rin held up her hands in a timeout gesture, frowning. "Whoa, whoa, you already talked to him, didn't you? I am capable of taking care of myself, you know!"

Sesshōmaru snorted. "Yes, I'm quite aware, but that still doesn't mean I want you going alone." He handed her a sheet of paper listing flight information as she huffed. "Shippō will meet you at Sea-Tac, and you will fly together—"

"Aren't you all getting a bit ahead of yourselves?" Rin interrupted. "What if you don't secure a deal with the Nura clan?"

A smirk spread across his face. Sure, moments earlier he had been the one lecturing her about the uncertainty of doing business in Tokyo, but at the end of the day…he was still Sesshōmaru. "Rin, when have I ever not gotten a business deal I wanted? I may not be able to guarantee you anything about that miko, but I can assure you, before I leave Tokyo, you will have your property."

Kagome finished the passage she was reading for homework with a yawn and stretched. After he'd filled her in on the details of his and Ryūji's investigation, Rikuo had inquired about her knowledge of the Gokadoin, which led to both explaining things—for Rikuo, his involvement with them, and Kagome, her independent study research materials from the Keikain. Rikuo had expressed interest in the Keikain archives; to Kagome's surprise, he'd been more curious about her past than whatever misguided onmyoji propaganda they had about him and the Nuragumi.

As she took a break from studying, massaging the muscles in her neck, it occurred to her that Rikuo had been exceptionally quiet for quite some time. From the kitchen table where he sat with her laptop, he had been periodically mumbling comments about the material—or more frequently, snide commentary about the pompous asshats, err, onmyoji. Glancing over, she discovered why.

Rikuo's head was still cradled in his hand, but at some point, his arm had slid down so that he was now awkwardly reclined against the edge of the table. His fringe hung messily over his eyes, which she could now see were closed. Kagome stifled a smile. It certainly didn't look like a comfortable position to sleep in, yet he was definitely asleep.

Should I wake him? Tell him to go lie down? She couldn't decide. If he were anything like her, he might not be able to go back to sleep. And he hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, thanks to her and her nightmares, not to mention she knew firsthand how exhausting talking about one's traumatic past could be.

Still…lying like that, he's going to wind up with one hell of a crick in his neck.

She got up and padded softly over to the kitchen table. She didn't want to startle him like she had at the cat sanctuary, especially now that she knew all that he'd been through. So how best to wake him?

"Rikuo?" No response. She tried again, a little louder this time. "Rikuo?" He murmured something drowsily but remained unconscious.

Kagome crossed her arms, thinking. Should she try her reiki? But if he didn't realize it was her, he could react badly, and she didn't want that to happen for either of their sake's. Maybe best to tap him on the shoulder? Hmm…

Just as she was starting to reach toward him, Kagome felt his youki fluctuate. Odd, since most of the time, she could hardly sense his youki even with her shields thinned, which they were at present. She'd taken Ryūji's comment to heart and had decided to work on her awareness of various energies with Rikuo while she studied. Of course, he wasn't necessarily the best choice given his ability to hide his youki so well. But it's another way to practice when I'm not at the cat sanctuary…and he's safe. Plus, for some reason, since she'd learned he was a hanyō, the more time they spent together, the easier it was for her to pick up on his subtle youki.

Then, she felt a tendril of his energy prod her aura slightly. It was the oddest sensation, not at all threatening or even defensive, more like it was identifying her. She couldn't say why, perhaps instinct, but a wisp of her own power extended as if of its own volition.

Shit! What the hell am I doing? Kagome yanked her reiki back, hoping it wouldn't be interpreted as some kind of attack. But to her relief, his youki didn't react in any volatile fashion; the fluctuation dissipated entirely, as if it had never existed, and Rikuo snoozed the entire time.

Her lips curved upward as she gazed down at him; much like Inuyasha had, Rikuo appeared far younger and more innocent in his sleep—not at all the visage of a man with a troubled past, a man who led one of Japan's most powerful yokai clans and had saved the world as a teen. And a few more of the walls Kagome had erected around her heart tumbled down.

He looked so peaceful right now, though she knew all too well how deceptive that was. Rest undisturbed by vivid nightmares was a luxury, not a given. I hate to wake him, but… Her own neck ached in sympathy for how he would feel if he stayed like that. So she cautiously brushed her hand over his cheek, sweeping back a lock of the hair that had fallen into his eyes.

Rikuo leaned into her touch, and his eyelashes fluttered open slowly. He blinked several times, and then a slow, sleepy smile spread across his face.

"Hey, blue eyes. Whatcha doin'?"

"You dozed off, and I worried you'd wake up with one hellacious neck ache lying like that."

He sat up and yawned. "Sorry. I didn't realize…"

Kagome shook her head and tugged him up out of the chair. "Shut it. Clearly you need the rest. Why don't you lie down on the sofa for a bit? I can work here at the table."

Surprisingly, he let her lead him to the couch—he must be more tired than I thought!—and lay down on his side, tucking one arm up under his head. But when she started to pick up her books and move, he grabbed her hand. "You don't have to move. Stay."

"Ehh? But…"

Rikuo scooted back slightly, leaving space for her to sit. "Plenty of room for us both…" His words slurred as they trailed off into a yawn.

Kagome shrugged and sat back down on the sofa. Instantly Rikuo's right arm looped around her waist, and he pulled her in close as he curled his body around hers. Another yawn sounded from him, and she couldn't help but laugh lightly. "Comfortable?"

"Mmhmm. You?"

To her amazement, she was. "Actually, yes." She twisted to the left to look down at him. His eyes were closed, lips quirked in a contented smirk. After a moment or two, his breathing shallowed and his face relaxed as he drifted to sleep.

Must be nice to fall asleep so quickly! Though she had to wonder if that was the norm for him or not. Back to work, Kagome. Focus. She thumbed open one of her textbooks, resuming where she'd left off earlier.

It took her about half an hour to complete the assigned portion from that text and then another thirty minutes for the next reading in a separate book. Once she was finished, Kagome snuck another peek at Rikuo. He hadn't moved since he'd snuggled up to her, his arm still wrapped around her. She gave in to temptation and ran her fingers through his hair gently. As he had earlier, he leaned into her touch, yet this time he didn't wake.

Happiness suffused her at the realization that he obviously trusted her to let himself be so vulnerable around her. Though, really, she hardly needed this confirmation of his trust—he'd made that quite evident a week ago when he'd told her he was a yokai. So then why did she feel so happy?

For that matter, how had she wound up here, with this man? A man who somehow, without her noticing, had infiltrated her defenses, breaking down her carefully erected walls piece by piece. When had he become so dear to her?

She didn't know, but it scared her. She'd been okay at first—more than okay, really, she thought with a grin—as she'd basked in the endorphin-buzzed post-coital afterglow. But as was too often the case with all aspects of her life, eventually, anxiety and self-doubt started creeping back in.

What now? Where do we go from here? What even is here, this whatever between us?

At that, Kagome frowned, mentally pushing back against the negativity and anxious internal turmoil. I cared enough to be honest with him, and he cared enough to do so with me. Her heart had ached, literally at times, as Rikuo had relayed his story to her, the horrific things he'd had to face. Even now tears stung her eyes, tears of frustration, pain, anger at the hardships they'd both endured.

She clenched a fist against the top of her thigh, wiping the other hand across her eyes. Yes, she had feelings for him, beyond mere friendship. And yes, examining those budding emotions made her feel vulnerable, and she was usually loath to do anything that made her feel helpless. However, somehow, today felt different. Perhaps it was finally, finally, being able to be completely honest, about everything, without worrying about how the person listening was going to feel or if they would judge her. Learning that Rikuo was a yokai, or hanyō, likely played a part as well. Hell, maybe it had even been the great sex. Who knows? Whatever the cause, all those feelings she'd compartmentalized, forcibly squashed out of anxiety, had begun to sneak out of their box.

So yes, in spite of her fear, she wanted this. This being recognizing and consciously admitting that she was falling in love with Nura Rikuo. As much as the thought of falling in love frightened her, the idea of letting Rikuo go, of not pursuing him caused a wave of queasiness to wash over her.

So…she wouldn't let go. Instead, she would trust. In Rikuo, in herself, in whatever they were and could be.

Besides, she was already falling… Might as well enjoy the ride down.

"Yen for your thoughts?"

At the murmured questions, she glanced down. Rikuo's chocolate-brown eyes were heavy lidded, the corners of his lips angled upward in a gentle smile. Her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't sure what was more attractive—those sexy smirks of his or this soft drowsy smile full of blatant affection.

Yep. Swan-dive-off-a-cliff level of falling… You are so fucked.

She shoved the thoughts away, to deal with later. "Have a good nap?"

His reply came on a contented sigh. "Uh-huh." Then, "What time is it?"

"Two thirty."

Rikuo sat up and fished his cell phone out of his pocket, squinting at it. With a sigh, he said, "I hate to run, blue eyes, but there's a few things I need to do before we meet up with Ryūji tonight."

"What, your yokai clan won't run itself?" Kagome grinned at him. "In all seriousness, you're fine. Go on, and I'll meet you at the Bakenekoya at around, hmm, five thirty, quarter to sixish? I'll give you a head's-up when I leave the cat sanctuary."

"All right. Sorry for falling asleep…"

She gave him a sidelong glance. "Well…it is becoming a bit of a habit. I might start to think you find me boring." She said it deadpan, but when Rikuo's eyes widened in realization, Kagome couldn't hold back a snicker at his expense.

"Oi…" He rubbed at his neck, a smidgen of pink coloring his cheeks. "Cut a guy some slack, will ya? Been a little busy, not much sleep, you know?" When she pursed her lips, pretending to speculate, he placed his hands on her cheeks, gently tilting her face up toward his and kissed first her forehead and then her lips. "I could never find you boring, blue eyes."

Kagome shrugged. He says that now, but…a little voice whispered in the back of her mind. She ignored the old insecurity in favor of smiling at him and saying, "It was a joke, silly. You didn't exactly have premium sleeping accommodations last night, plus I have a funny feeling you routinely don't get enough sleep."

Rikuo waved dismissively, which only confirmed her suspicions about his lacking sleep, and stood, holding out his hand to help her up. Then he straightened his clothes, well, as best he could given their slept-in state, and combed his fingers through his hair. A gesture Kagome silently questioned, considering the fact it always had a spiky, slightly mussed look going for it.

Before they reached her front door, he paused and turned to her. "Ne, Kagome, after we meet with Ryūji, want to come over, meet the clan?" He said it casually, but she didn't miss the hopeful gleam in his eyes, a silent plea that warmed her heart. Perhaps he too was somewhat anxious about the progression of their relationship, despite his apparent composure?

She nodded, smiling broadly. "I'd love to! Anō… You mentioned before that they might use it as an excuse to have a party… Are they going to want to…" She wasn't sure she was up for that level of pressure and being that much of the center attention quite yet.

Rikuo tugged her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist. "How about this? I won't even tell them in advance, so they won't be able to go overboard and do anything crazy. And I won't tell them you're the shikon miko either. That's your story to tell, whenever you choose to tell it. If it weren't for the fact that the curse may affect your aging, I wouldn't care if you never told them."

Kagome returned his hug and then pulled back slightly, shaking her head. "No, no more secrets. We don't necessarily have to tell them tonight, and we can figure out together the best way to approach it, but I am done with keeping secrets."

He chuckled. "Understood. All right, blue eyes, I've got to go." He leaned down to kiss her, and the kiss rapidly escalated from a brief good-bye peck to something deeper and more passionate. When they parted, his eyes were dark with desire, and he thrust a hand through his hair, exhaling harshly. "Fuck…"

"Mmhmm…" Kagome murmured, agreeing wholeheartedly with the sentiment, sorely tempted to ask him if he had to leave that instant. But she didn't want to be selfish, so she laid a hand on his chest and pushed gently. "Off with you, Sandaime, before I get you in trouble with your clan."

"Tch." Rikuo gave her a cocky grin. "In trouble with my clan, she says. Did you forget I'm the leader?"

She laughed. "No, which is why you should go and act like said leader. This"—she licked her lips, returning his grin with one of her own—"we can finish later?"

"Fuck," he repeated, swallowing hard.

"That's the plan," she said teasingly as she opened her front door, and he groaned.

"Seriously, blue eyes? Seriously? Gods, you're going to be the death of me."

"You know, if you consider that some refer to an orgasm as 'la petite mort'…technically, you're not wrong." Kagome's lips twitched as she struggled to keep a straight face.

In a heartbeat, her front door slammed closed, and she found herself pressed against the wall behind it, Rikuo's lips claiming hers in a bruising kiss. Oh holy hell…forget not being selfish…

He kissed her ruthlessly, plundering her mouth, as he slid his hands up under her shirt and bra, thumbing and pinching her nipples. His caresses were just this side of painful, in the best way, and Kagome moaned as the sensations sent arousal zipping through her like lightning. She ground against his knee between her legs, reaching a hand out to touch him…

Rikuo stepped back, and her eyes shot open. "What—"

He smirked and winked at her. "Two can play that game."

"Two can…" It took a moment for the statement to pierce her lust-clouded brain. Then she glared at him, hands clenching into fists. "You…you asshole!" she burst out, and he laughed. A laugh that shifted to a loud yelp when she launched a not-so-small spark of reiki at him.

"Oi, not nice!"

"Neither was you teasing me!"

"You started it, you know…"

Kagome ground her teeth. "Very mature, Rikuo…"

He shrugged, clearly unrepentant. The bastard. "All's fair in love and war, beautiful."

"Don't think flattery will get you off the hook, mister," she said, poking him in the chest forcefully. "You may have won this battle, but you haven't won the 'war' yet."

"Well, then, blue eyes, in that case… I look forward to my 'little death' at your hands," he said, his voice a husky murmur that sent chills down her spine.

She was having an extremely hard time not throwing responsibility to the wind. "You're evil," she said, slipping away from him to yank her door back open. "Or at bare minimum, a pervert."

"Never claimed to be otherwise," Rikuo said flippantly, and she rolled her eyes, pointing toward the doorway.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get your hentai yokai ass out of here, then, before this miko purifies you."

"You'd miss me." He gave her a quick kiss. "See you later, blue eyes."

"Yep, I'll text you when I head to the Bakenekoya." She waved at him before closing the door.

Pain in the ass man. How was she supposed to focus on school after that?

"You did what?" Yura's inhale could be heard over the phone line, followed by a deliberately slow exhale. "I'm sorry—I must have misheard you. Because I know you did not just say what I think you did."

Ryūji scowled but tried his best to sound contrite. Guilt was not his favorite emotion. "Look, I get it. I fucked up, I apologized, and it won't happen again. Let's move on."

"No, let's not." Yura's tone was frostier than a yuki onna's youki. "I knew you were lying to me about thinking she had some connection to this case. But stupid me, I gave you the benefit of the doubt and trusted you. My mistake." She made a disgusted noise in the back of her throat. "Ryūji, what on earth were you thinking? I don't care if this girl is the godsdamned shikon miko herself, you had no right—"

Yura's tirade was interrupted by someone speaking in the background. Loudly.

"Yura-chan! Did you say the shikon miko?"

"Not now, Hidemoto."

"But what about the shikon miko? Is that Ryūji-kun? Let me—"

He heard the sounds of a scuffle and his sister's infuriated squawks, and then an overly cheerful voice came across the line. "Yoohoo, Ryūji-kun! Why're you looking into the shikon miko?"

"Err…well… I'm not exactly… There's a girl here whose family shrine supposedly housed the sacred jewel at one point."

"Oh? What's her name?"

He answered, but only so he could get off the phone. He had no desire to talk to either Yura or Hidemoto any longer than he had to. "Higurashi."

"Hidemoto! Give that back!" Yura grumbled in the background. "It's rude to snatch someone's phone…"

Hidemoto ignored her, humming. "Higurashi? Don't know that name, but it's possible at some point the shikon no tama was at that shrine if it's the same one as where the miko Kikyō lived."

That name! He knew he should ask, but… "Was she the shikon miko?"

"Not sure. According to the grandchildren of a couple who traveled with the shikon miko, no. They claimed it was a different woman. An interesting trio, those kids. Came to us after their home and school in Hida Province was destroyed. Had some fascinating knowledge of yokai and weaponry—I'd imagine that's where Akifusa gets it from. He's descended from the girl, Tomiko, you know? Her brother, Akihiko, was more of a scholar, though surprisingly popular with the ladies—"

"Okay, time's up, you," Yura broke in. "Why don't you go play online or pester someone else? Actually, go browse that paranormal forum and see if you have any ideas."

She must have snatched the phone back, for her voice grew more clear. "Any help you could provide to get my darling, sweet brother home sooner would be most appreciated," Yura added, a faint trace of malice underlying her words. It didn't bode well for him once he returned to Kyoto.

"I didn't ask him to tell me all that, you know."

"Perhaps not, but I doubt you did much to discourage him either. Ryūji, solve this case and get back here. I don't care if you have to forgo sleep—I want it done and you out of there. Like…yesterday."

He snorted. Easier said than done. "Yeah, yeah, I'm trying."

"Try harder. See what Nura-kun thinks about the kid Haruka-chan gave you the file on. She's got good instincts, so could be something's up there. Just get it done, okay? Bye, onii-chan." Then, without waiting for his reply, she hung up.

Apologies to Yura and Kagome done and done. Now maybe Haruka would speak to him again. Her comments and obvious disappointment had not sat well with him. Particularly since, admittedly, she was right.

"Whatever, it's over. Moving on," he said out loud, unwilling to linger on the issue any further. He glanced at his watch. Almost time to meet Kagome and Rikuo at the Bakenekoya.

Fucking yokai… Rikuo had claimed meeting up there was out of convenience for Kagome since she had to swing by the cat sanctuary first. Hah. A likely story…

Eyeing the heavy cloud cover out the window, he grabbed his cloak, swinging it around his shoulders, and then gathered the notes and relevant files, tucking them in an inside pocket before heading out the door.

Rikuo was waiting outside the Bakenekoya, and when he saw Ryūji turn the corner, he strolled over, his easy gait belying the fury within.

"Don't know why we had to meet—"

Rikuo's fist collided with Ryūji's jaw with a satisfying crack, sending the onmyoji staggering. Several people on the street stared, but no one attempted to comment or intervene. Nearly all of them knew Rikuo in some capacity, so it was likely they figured Ryūji had it coming. He did.

When Ryūji straightened, his shikigami bamboo bottles were in his hands, rage filling his face. "The fuck was that for?"

"That," Rikuo spat, "was for Kagome. For invading her privacy and blackmailing her, and for whatever else you did that she refrained from telling me. Be thankful I'm settling for just that because, truthfully, I'd like to snap your godsdamned spine, you prick."

Ryūji wiped away blood from his mouth, and Rikuo saw something resembling guilt flicker in his gray eyes for a split second. Then the onmyoji affected disinterest and tucked the bamboo flasks back within the folds of his cloak. "Tch. Whatever. And where is your little miko girlfriend?"

"At work, idiot, like we told you she would be. She'll be heading over in a few minutes."

A low rumbling had them both tipping their heads back, regarding the sky heavy-laden with dark clouds. Moments later, fat raindrops splattered on them and the sidewalk around them, the accompanying wind ruffling Rikuo's hair and making his haori flap.

They ducked under an awning, and Rikuo's thoughts immediately went to Kagome. Had she brought an umbrella? Should he take one to her? It's not that far, but… He didn't want her to get soaked. As he deliberated, his phone buzzed, alerting him to a text from Kagome.

"She's on her way," Rikuo said, and Ryūji nodded.

Suddenly, a chill skittered down his spine, and goose bumps prickled along his skin. Something's wrong…

What, he didn't know. But intuition told him to head in the direction of the Bakeneko cat sanctuary.

And strangely enough, Ryūji followed silently, his posture guarded and on alert.

Kagome stared at the rain falling steadily and sighed. Of course it would start raining now. Why hadn't she thought to bring an umbrella? After tossing the garbage in the dumpster and locking the back door, Kagome tugged her jacket around her tightly and hurried down the alley behind the cat sanctuary, pulling out her phone to text Rikuo that she was on her way.

In doing so, she wasn't looking where she was going, and as she neared the end of the alleyway, she smacked into something. Or someone, rather. She tried to right herself, but her footing was less sure on the wet pavement and she slipped, falling to one knee.

Ow…

A voice spoke from above her. "Sorry about that. You okay, miss?"

Kagome stuck her phone in her pocket and looked up to apologize, but the words died on her tongue.

A man stood in front of her in the entrance to the alley, his hand extended in offer to help her up, smiling widely.

What had caught her off guard, though, was the way the dim light from the streetlights glinted off his fangs.

Oh, holy hell. A vampire? No fucking way.

"Something the matter?"

Perhaps a trick of the light? Kagome forced herself to smile despite the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. "N-no. Sorry." She let him help her to her feet and then, hoping to escape the unsettling situation quickly, said, "Thanks. Have a good night."

To her dismay, he didn't move out of her way; instead, he took a step closer toward her. "What's the rush?"

Mental alarm bells clanged stridently as Kagome glanced around furtively. No one else in sight, shit. Granted, it wasn't a busy street, not with the cemetery and no through road, and especially not on a Monday when the sanctuary wasn't open. But she'd allowed herself to hope for a second. Looks like I'm on my own.

She tried to smile at the man and gestured toward the sky. "Well, the rain, for one. And I'm running late to meet my b-boyfriend."

Kagome swore internally as the term rolled clumsily off her tongue, unaccustomed to referring to Rikuo that way. But because of that, it wound up sounding like a lie.

His smile grew predatory. "Oh, is that so? Well, why don't we escort you? It can be dangerous for a woman by herself after dark."

Her blood turned to ice. "We?"

A second man appeared from around the corner, his sinister grin revealing fangs as well. "Hello, sweetheart. Won't you make such a lovely offering to our mistress?"

Shit shit shit! She had to get out of there. Now.

"Yeah, appreciate it, but no thanks. If you'll excuse me…"

Kagome feinted left and then bolted to the right, hoping surprise would get her past Guy #1.

Luck was not on her side.

Pain stung her scalp, tears springing to her eyes, as he caught her by her ponytail.

"Ah ah ah…" he tsked. With startling quickness, he slapped a hand over her mouth and nose and wrenched her arm behind her with his other hand.

"Eiji."

"Got it."

The cold rain pelted them relentlessly as the guy restraining her dragged her further into the dark alleyway. Kagome struggled and flailed uselessly, terror coursing through her, blotting out all rational thought.

Hard to breathe! Oh gods, if I can't breathe—!

Her free hand flew up reflexively, grasping and scratching ineffectively at the arm by her face.

"Don't scream, and everything will be fine."

Like hell it will!

These vampire bastards had fucked with the wrong miko.

Kagome let her reiki flare wildly out of control. But to her ever-increasing horror, despite lashing out, her reiki had no effect whatsoever on the men before her. In fact, they didn't even seem to notice. Fear momentarily kept her captive, frozen in place as her mind raced.

Not yokai? Are they…human?

In a flash, it hit her. It really didn't matter—she was just beginning to find happiness again, and the thought of not surviving some random attack in an alley royally pissed her off.

Kagome thrashed in the man's hold, biting his fingers viciously and slamming her heel into his shin. She felt him startle and heard his hiss of pain, but instead of pulling his hand away, the guy dug his fingers more firmly into her jaw.

"Like biting, do you?" he snarled. Then he jerked her head to one side and bit her.

His teeth tore into her flesh, and the pouring rain combined with his hand muffled her scream. The white-hot agony that ripped through her neck nearly caused her to miss the man called Eiji coming up and jabbing something into her leg.

A sharp burning sensation pierced her thigh, and then Eiji stepped away. He held up an object, leering at her as the other man withdrew his teeth from her neck.

Kagome's panic skyrocketed as she realized what that something was.

A syringe.

Her survival instincts launched into high gear. She threw her head back as hard as she could, smashing it into the man holding her.

"Bitch!"

It hurt like hell, but his grip on her loosened. His hand slid down slightly, and she inhaled precious air through her nose.

Then she twisted her hips and used all of her body weight to ram her elbow into his gut.

He released her with a pained wheeze, but as she scrambled away, Eiji grabbed for her.

I don't fucking think so!

Screaming for help at the top of her lungs, Kagome stepped into his approach and thrust the heel of her palm straight into his nose. It made a sickening crunch, and the man howled as he clutched his hands to his face.

"You stupid bitch!"

Get away before whatever they injected you with kicks in!

But she'd barely started to run when something caught her ankle, knocking her to the ground, pain spiking through her wrists as she hit the wet pavement, hard.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?"

He yanked her up by her hair and backhanded her. She stumbled and fell to her knees, head swimming and tasting blood as her lip split. The torrential rain stung the throbbing wound on her neck, and she reached up to press a hand against it, wincing.

Run, idiot!

Kagome clumsily rose to her feet, unsettled by the dawning realization that her limbs were beginning to feel strange. A slow, tingling numbness that she doubted was from her soaking wet clothes.

Hurry up!

One of the guys shoved her against a wall, Eiji probably, given the blood running between the fingers holding his rapidly swelling nose. Kagome observed, somewhat detached, that her shoulder didn't hurt nearly as much as it should have from the impact. Nor did her neck, for that matter.

A distant piece of her mind pointed out that that was probably not good.

"Hey, let her go."

"The fuck?"

The guy who had bitten her pulled Eiji away, forcing him to release her. "Hang on. Let's have a little fun with our prey."

To Kagome, he said, "You're a feisty one, aren't ya? Well, feisty girl, wanna play a game? You make it there"—he pointed to the entrance of the alley and the street—"we'll let you go."

"Dude, what are you doing?" his friend snapped.

"She'll never make it…"

Oh yes, I will, Kagome thought, gritting her teeth. Only…those few yards never felt so far away as they did now.

She willed her leaden feet to move. Faster!

Then, somehow, she felt his familiar youki before she heard his voice.

"Kagome!"

Seemingly out of nowhere, Rikuo dropped down into the alley a couple feet from her, and euphoric relief flowed through her. As the alleyway began to spin, her vision blurring, she lurched toward him with a maddening amount of effort, growing more light-headed and dizzy.

A little…further…

Just as her legs gave out, strong arms caught her, a feeling of déjà vu washing over her. She tilted her head back and squinted at Rikuo's distorted image. She blinked rapidly, but it didn't help clear her vision. His youki surged and whipped around him violently, his crimson eyes nearly black with rage, and it occurred to Kagome that if she didn't know him, she might actually be frightened.

Darkness crept into her sight, and her last thought before unconsciousness claimed her was, I always did hate this damsel in distress shit…

Author's Notes:
1. Sorry not sorry for the cliffhanger ;-) For one, that chapter was getting WAY too long, and two, it was just the logical place to stop. And also I'm a self-indulgent asshole who wanted to do it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But I do hope y'all enjoyed the chapter at least!

2. Speaking of self-indulgence...for anyone interested, the Nurarihyon/Yohime AU I mentioned at the beginning is still in progress and I'm not going to start posting chapters of it till it is at least 90% complete. However...I'm hoping to have it finished sometime this century, as I'm so excited to share it...even though it's primarily having way too much fun with tropes and overindulging my own amusement...so plenty floofy fluff.