Chapter 18


When Keomi woke she was no longer in her bed, but standing on the shore of a foggy marshland, the air alight with fireflies. From where she stood, she could see dark water covered in lily pads and all manner of plant life, reflected in the light of the full moon that hung heavy in the sky. The land around her was painted in shades of blue; and almost instantly she knew exactly where she was because she had been here before, hundreds of times. Her eyes grew as wide as dinner plates as she looked around frantically, her eyes landing on the swishing silk of the kimono she wore. As she looked down, examining the pattern of the fabric she noticed her hand; smooth and untouched by age.

She gasped softly in alarm; her brow furrowed with confusion. She could feel her hair hanging heavy down her back and she knew without a doubt that if she were to reach up and touch it that it would be just the way it was that day… The day she had met… him.

"Keomi…"

His voice had shivers shooting straight down her spine, sounding like gentle waves lapping against the shore. She whipped around to face him, her breath coming in fast and hard as she stood there, completely awestruck.

Nothing about him had changed over the last eighteen years, he was still as perfect as ever. His dark eyes glittered with amusement; his full lips curved in a half smile that had her heart skipping a beat. His hair was unbound and flowed around him in a river of illustrious obsidian; his hands tucked neatly into his sleeves as he held a regal pose, a few yards of soft grass separating them.

"Tsukuyomi-sama?" She sputtered, "W-why…?" She couldn't even force the words out.

She watched as his smile fell and his face became serious, like a cloud passing over the sun.

"We must speak of Kagome."

If possible, her eyes went even wider and she could feel her heart seize, squeezing painfully tight as she was gripped with anxiety. But she only nodded stiffly in response, letting him lead her to sit beside him on a bench that he'd materialized out of thin air.

It was strange, sitting so close to him after all this time. She had started to wonder again if any of this had been real, had forgotten what it was like to be in his presence. He was all consuming; so completely unearthly that it was captivating. Every move he made was filled with a calculated grace, every word he spoke seemed like he had measured it carefully before it ever even passed his lips. She couldn't take her eyes off him, remembering all the nights they'd shared here, in this very spot.

To be loved by him was to know the feeling of true happiness; whenever his eyes were on her it was all she could focus on, their swirling cosmic depths that seemed to see straight through her. But his love was fleeting. He was like a mist, or fog; even when she could see him plainly, all around her, could feel the cool water of his presence hit her skin he still managed to slip through her fingers. Every time.

It had been many years. Many long, hard years where she had questioned her own sanity more times than she could even recall. But to know him, to feel his dark gaze on her, it was beyond words. To be near him alone was a gift. And he, in turn, had gifted her with something as well.

Her first child.

When he finally spoke, his words flowed like a river over smooth rock; mellow and harmonic, music to her ears. She found herself hanging on his every word, watching his full lips shape them with wonder clearly written on her face.

"The time has come for you to tell the girl the truth. Her power, it is awakening even now, as you sleep. She will have many questions. Some only you can answer, I'm sure."

It was something she had known would come eventually, but she dreaded it just the same. She should have realized. Only this afternoon Kagome had asked of her father… and she had lied. Like she had done hundreds of times. She had always felt a small amount of guilt, but she had only been doing what she'd been told. So, she had shoved that feeling away for years; back into the very darkest corner of her mind, tucking it away neatly and doing her best not to think about it.

But how could she not?

Every time she looked up at the cold moon, she couldn't help but be brought back to that night…when he had walked in her dreams for the first time.

"Yes," She nodded slowly, her eyes flickering away from his face to focus on her trembling fingers worrying at the hem of her long, draping sleeve; the fabric was cool to the touch, silken and somehow soothing. "I understand." Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Good." He nodded, that thoughtful light was glittering in his dark eyes again as his lips quirked up at the corners in a small smile.

"Our daughter is my greatest creation, Keomi. In the short time I've spent in her presence I believe I know, now…" he trailed off, looking out across the dark, marshy water to the moon that hung like a precious jewel in the sky.

"Know what, Tsukuyomi-sama?" She asked, her breath hitching in her throat as her eyes traveled along his sharp profile, admiring the smooth porcelain of his skin and his cutting jawline.

"What it is to love a person unconditionally. To feel that indescribable connection between a parent and child… I love her, simply because she is mine." His smile was bright and so beautiful, so filled with joy that she could feel her heart skip a beat. She felt so warm inside when he spoke like that, so tender and completely honest.

"And because she is yours, too…" His voice was soft, laced with affection as he turned to look at her again.

She would never get over those eyes.

When she was pregnant, she had hoped desperately that Kagome would share those startling orbs with her father. She had been disappointed when her baby had first opened those big eyes of hers, and they were a stark, woody brown. The same color of her own eyes.

But she didn't know what to say; she was feeling as shy as a schoolgirl, her cheeks flushing under his attentions.

"She looks like you, you know?" He added quietly, and at that she had to laugh.

"No, Tsukuyomi-sama," She shook her head with an amused smile. "she looks more and more like you every day."

"I must agree…" He nodded, looking away again. "as each gate of the seal is broken, she will unleash her genuine form, along with her true power. I have unlocked the first gate myself, but the rest… that is something only she can do."

Keomi had known vaguely about what he had done to lock away their daughters' awesome power at her birth, but he had never spoken so plainly with her and she found herself shocked; she desperately wanted to know more.

"What will she be like, Tsukuyomi-sama? If she does manage to break the seal?" She asked quietly, hearing her heartbeat thundering in her eyes as she waited with bated breath for his answer.

"She will be different… but she will be as she was always meant to be."


InuYasha had fucked up. Big time.

Again.

He shouldn't have left her. He knew it, even as it was happening, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. His pride refused to relent. But he didn't go far. He only leapt away into the trees that surrounded the property, climbing one and settling onto the first sturdy branch he found with an irate huff.

But he just didn't understand. He couldn't grasp at her reasoning; it seemed so strange to him that she would want to stay here… without him. After everything, all he wanted was to wrap her up in his arms again and just be.

But somehow, due to his own stubbornness, he'd ended up here. In a tree, angry, and without Kagome.

It wasn't a scant thirty minutes that had gone by before he decided he couldn't take it any longer. He was leaping deftly to the ground again, his shoulders set in determination as he walked back towards the shadowed house.

Fuck it.

He knew already that she'd gone inside; he'd watched her intently the whole time she'd gathered herself together and walked back in; feeling the sharp bite of guilt gnawing at him all the while.

He went straight for the window, bypassing the bothersome door and scaling the side of the home with practiced ease, perching himself expertly onto the ledge.

"Oi, Kagome," He whispered loudly, tapping his claws on the glass gently, hoping that she hadn't fallen asleep. "Open up already."

The shades were drawn, but he could hear her footsteps through the thin walls and in the next second she was pulling up the blinds.

She stood there, her eyes red rimmed and puffy, lower lip trembling slightly. Their gazes met and it was all he could do just to offer her an apologetic smile. "Can I come in? Please?"

She looked as if she was mulling it over for a moment, but then her eyes softened, and she was opening the window for him.

He clambered into the dark room quickly, hearing her slam the glass pane shut again and lower the blinds.

He took a deep breath as he turned around to face her, steeling himself before he said screw it all. He didn't waste another second. Gold met brown and he swept her up against his chest, wrapping his arms around her to crush her small frame against his chest.

"I'm sorry, okay? I know I'm a total baka." He breathed out his apology against her soft hair, tightening his hold on her as her small hands found their way around his neck. "It doesn't matter if Tsukuyomi really is your father or not… and if you feel like you need to stay here for a while then that's okay too. All that matters is you and me, 'gome. Fuck the rest."

She was trembling; hot tears of relief leaking from her eyes to drop onto the fabric of his robe as she clutched onto him. She could practically feel the weight being lifted off of her shoulders at his words, her heart jumping in her chest as he'd said everything that she'd needed to hear.

He was her normal in this crazy situation she'd been thrown into, the only thing that made sense and she couldn't bear to be at odds with him right now. He was her rock, her support system, the one person she knew she could count on.

She pulled away from where she had hidden her face against his chest, arms still wrapped firmly around his neck as she looked him in the eyes. She could see the apology reflected there its those pools of molten amber, could see that he was waiting for her to say something.

But she didn't have words, at that moment. Her throat felt tight with emotion, and she knew if she tried it would come out broken.

She raised herself up to stand on her tippy toes to press a soft, tender kiss to his lips. He stiffened in surprise but didn't protest, only pulled her closer and let his eyes drift shut as he was lost in her. She wasn't usually the one to initiate anything like this; she was too shy. But he found he liked it when she was forward with him, and despite himself, he could feel that tightening, low in his belly as his blood was drawn into his hardening length between them. Their tongues brushed together, seeking, chasing that feeling of pure heat as the kiss became less than innocent. His large hand was splayed of her lower back, the other cupping her cheek tenderly, while her own were clasped together around his neck.

They were falling into each other, reveling in that feeling that only this could give. His head was swimming, hazy with the smoke of her arousal that was drifting off her skin in powerful waves. He could feel himself losing control, bit by bit as her soft, wet mouth worked against his own, her breast pressed flush against his chest as he held her. She was intoxicating, all consuming and he could sense his inner beast roaring to attention, whispering explicit things into the void of his mind.

He broke away from her mouth, panting, knowing that if they kept this up, he wouldn't be able to restrain himself much longer.

"Kagome… we need to stop now, I don't know if we should-"

But she silenced him with another burning kiss, stealing his breath away as his hands unconsciously drifted lower, caressing the swell of her backside with a throaty moan.

"Please… stay with me tonight. I need you."

Her voice was taught with passion, rough and velvety at the same time and it had him shivering. When she looked up at him with those dark, wanton eyes framed with thick lashes it sealed the deal. How could he stop himself when she was looking at him like that? He didn't have the will to even begin to try.

His mouth was on her again, this time less gentle. Nipping at her lips, his tongue stroking at her own hotly as his hands began working the clothes off her body. Their kisses were rushed and fevered, filled with a growing urgency that consumed them both. She could feel the cool rush of air hit her skin as her shirt came off and was tossed carelessly to the floor. She hadn't been wearing a bra, but she didn't have time to feel self-conscious because his lips were pressed against hers animalistically, his warm hands smoldering along her bare skin.

Her shaky fingers worked to untie his robes between kisses and finally, finally she had shorn him of his haori and yukata, leaving his broad chest bare to her eager hands. His skin was intoxicating. Soft as silk but there was hard muscle stacked beneath the skin there.

He broke away from her mouth suddenly, his lips traveling along her jawline and down her neck, nipping at the tender flesh there, coaxing a low moan out of her that had a ripple of satisfaction rolling down his spine. He lavished attention on the sweet spot where her shoulder and neck met, reveling in the taste of her skin. It was a flavor that he'd committed to memory; sugar and salt, mixed with the tang of her own arousal. It was like a drug. He could feel her bare breasts caressing the skin of his chest as they were locked in that passionate embrace, and he couldn't help but groan at the feeling. He loved her body. She was even more beautiful than he'd ever expected her to be; curvaceous and feminine in ways that drove him crazy.

He couldn't hold himself back any longer.

Swiftly, with a demon quickness, he was turning her and pushing her back onto her small bed, sliding the pants down her legs before she'd even realized what happened. And then he was on her again; covering her with his own body, steadying himself with a hand placed on either side of her head. She looked up at him with those dark, hazy, lust filled eyes and he lost it. Any semblance of control he had left flew out the window and he was kissing her with a primal snarl, his lips rough and unforgiving as he dominated her completely.

She submitted to him beautifully, blooming beneath him like a precious flower. Her legs wrapped around him, the only thing separating them was the hakama still tied about his waist and the thin scrap of fabric that covered her center. He pulled away from her intoxicating mouth, his eyes raking hungrily over her heaving chest, her full breasts rising attractively with each breath. He couldn't help but growl appreciatively, his hands wandering down her body to grab at her hips. He could hear her breath hitch, could feel her trembling beneath his fingers.

"'Yasha, take em off," She mumbled impatiently, her hand tugging weakly on the offending fabric. He chuckled, the sound rumbling between them as his fingers went to unfasten the ties.

"As you wish, pushy little mate."

The word rolled off his tongue with ease, sending hot fire burning straight down to his straining length and he could see that it had affected her as well. She practically mewled beneath him, cheeks flushed pink and her lips parted and swollen. She was watching his every move, hunger glittering in her darkened eyes. A hunger that stoked his own inferno even further, his blood surging to new heights with the need to take her.

He stood briefly only to kick the hakama off and then he was sliding her panties down her hips before she could get a proper eyeful of his heavenly body. He was looking down at her with unabashed want held in his burning amber gaze, eyes narrowed with lust as he was now settled between her hips again. They shared a long, intense look but then they were crashing into each other; lips melding in a heated kiss that stole the very breath from her lungs.

His deft fingers slithered between him to find her wetness, toying with the pearl of her pleasure gently, careful of his sharp claws. But she couldn't have cared less. She was in heaven; absolute bliss as he worked her, his lips and tongue consuming her relentlessly. Her legs shook where they were hooked loosely about his waist, his mouth silencing her moans. She clutched desperately at his shoulders, feeling nothing but the white-hot smolder of his skilled fingers.

She didn't care how dangerous it was for them to be doing this now, where they could be so easily discovered by her mother, who was just in the other room. She didn't care about Tsukuyomi, or what Bankotsu had done to her, or her strange surge of power… none of that mattered when he was touching her like that.

He scattered fervent bites along her neck and chest, soothing the sting with his tongue as he devoured her sensuously. He teased around her breasts, that wonderful tongue darting out to taste a taught pink nipple. She jerked against him, breathing in sharply as she stifled a groan. His smirk was not lost on her and she knew that she was doing a poor job at hiding just how much she'd liked that. She looked away shyly, her eyes heavy lidded and her cheeks flushed as he continued his assault on her body, his fingers had found a deliciously slow rhythm as they teased at her clit. Her legs shook with the pleasure and it was all she could do just to hold back her moans, but she wanted more. She needed all of him.

"Please, Inu, I-ohhhh…" She broke off in a gasp as a particularly hard stroke of his fingers sent her reeling, her body clenched tight like a spring aching for release.

"Please what, little girl?" His voice was pure aphrodisiac. Rough and warm; brushing along her senses like velvet and rumbling like thunder.

"I-I- I want…" But she couldn't say it so plainly, it was too embarrassing.

As her cheeks flushed so did the rest of her body, and the effect was quite pleasing to him. The sight of her breasts colored such a rosy pink was doing things for him; maybe he should embarrass her more often. He smiled wickedly, pausing his ministrations as he looked down at her, a predatory gleam held in those molten honey eyes.

"Say it." He prompted, his tone gentle but commanding and he knew she wouldn't be able to resist. He was still learning her body, but he knew that she liked it when he spoke to her like that; he could scent her arousal building, could feel the minute trembling's of her body.

"I-I want you… inside me…" She was mortified. It was written all over her face, but she was past the point of caring. She saw that animalistic look sparkling in his eyes, and she couldn't deny that it excited her beyond belief.

"There we go. Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" He said smugly, his hands traveling up to grip at the thick flesh of her hips, his body settling between them with ease.

She could hear her own heartbeat thundering in her ears; could feel the rush of electricity zing across her skin as she felt his length brush her center, teasing. She gasped, wantonly, arching into the feeling as he dragged the large head of his cock over her swollen clit.

"That's what you wanted, huh? You're so fucking wet, 'gome…" InuYasha hissed out above her, his teeth clenched as white-hot sensation overcame him. He couldn't believe how good it felt. He wasn't even inside of her yet and he was ready to burst at the seams.

"Don't tease…" she begged, her voice taught with lust as her bare chest heaved, her back arching, bringing their sexes even closer.

"Well when you beg so nicely…"

All at once he sank into her hot, wet, heat, all the way to the hilt. She cried out, her little fingers digging into his shoulders harshly, and it was all he could do just to force himself to go still for a moment, letting her adjust to his sudden intrusion.

But she was ready for him, and only a moment had passed before she was grinding up into him, sending delicious waves of pleasure to roll down his spine with every clumsy thrust of her hips.

"Please." She pleaded in a breathy moan.

And who was he to deny her?

He plunged into her wetness agonizingly slow, groaning at the feeling of her walls clenched so tightly around his length, her dull nails digging into his flesh as she threw her head back in ecstasy. Her ankles hooked behind his legs, pulling him in even deeper as her eyes screwed shut, her lips parted in a perfect O. She was a vision of erotic beauty; her skin painted in shadows and moonlight, a fine layer of sweating glistening there as she panted.

His name fell from her lips senselessly, loud enough to where he was sure if anyone was awake, they would've heard. He couldn't find it in himself to care, but he covered her mouth with his own anyway, swallowing her delicious moans that incited pure fire to rise in his blood.

His claw tipped hands gripped at her thighs, holding her in place while he ravaged her; filling her over and over again with long, deep strokes that had her quivering, trembling on his cock exquisitely. There was a smoldering heat that was burning, low in his belly, each thrust sending a pule of pleasure through him. She was so tight and so goddamned wet he wasn't sure how much longer he was going to be able to last. Already he could feel that precipice approaching, hurdling ever close as she undulated her hips against his, and he wanted to get her there, too.

He broke away from her mouth, nipping affectionately at her jaw as he swiftly rolled them over on the small bed until his back was pressed into the mattress and she straddled his hips. So agile were his movements that he was still sunk deep inside of her, all the way to the hilt. She made a slight nose of surprise, but he was already moving her; gripping hold of her curvaceous hips and guiding her to bounce on his cock.

She steadied herself by placing her hands on his chest, grasping desperately at his shoulders as she mewled at this new, delicious sensation. He was so deep, filling her completely and she loved the feeling. She was lost in his body, her mind gone hazy and fevered as all she could think about was the ache that was building deep inside her. This new angle had her gasping wordlessly, careening toward that high she could feel building deep inside.

InuYasha leaned up, capturing one of her pink nipples in his mouth as his fingers found her pearl between them, rubbing painfully slow.

She couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. All she knew was pleasure as he worked her, smirking around his mouthful of her breast as he shamelessly teased it with his teeth.

"Oh, fuck, Inu! I'm gonna- " She gasped, feeling that tight coil of pleasure in her belly building towards release. At her warning he pumped into her even harder, brushing against her cervix with every stroke as they built up a frantic rhythm.

"Come," He growled out against her skin, licking, biting animalistically. It was a command she couldn't ignore, and in the next second she was exploding, bursting, coming apart at the seams. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she sunk down, her legs giving out as she spasmed around him.

It was the feeling of her tightening around him that sent him over the edge, her pussy clamping down on him and milking him of his seed as she took his full length. He gripped at her hips as they caught their breath, holding her firmly in place on his cock while she came back to reality.

"Damn," She laughed breathlessly, a playful smile on her lips. "we're getting really fucking good at that."


A/N: Hello everyone! Half background stuff, half smut haha. But I highkey felt like I owed ya'll this one cause our babies have been through hell these last few chapters and they needed this. But also let me know if this was too lewd for you guys, I'm always nervous about posting things like this. Anyway, next chapter should be up on Friday if my classes don't interfere too much, and we'll be getting into the whole Hinata thing eeeee! Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter, but I wanted to say a special thank you to Kagomegirl84 because you literally made my day! I needed that so bad and you really gave me the motivation to push through and get this one out. As always thanks for reading! :)