A/N: hopefully I'll get my comp up soon. My daughter decided to be gross and has done something to my whole entire bedroom I rather not mention, but I luv you all and thanks for being so cool about this fic (If I sound weird it's because I over sleep and woke up about 3 minutes ago, so excuse me J ).On with the story.

Chapter 8: A Far Off Place

It's been almost a week since I arrived here to join my husband, Inuyasha .Ever since my lecture, He really doesn't come near me until bedtime, where I read him some of my books until he falls asleep. Even during meals, not a word is spoken between any of us. Occasionally I will see at the corner of my eye Inuyasha staring at me from behind a wall. He is such a strange man…boy… I seriously didn't know what he was. I went out on the back terrace that was right outside the ballroom. I thought it was beautiful here. As I looked out, I heard a horse nay. I remembered Inuyasha telling me the mortifying fact that horse was one of their favorite meals. He wouldn't tell me what mode of there main transportation was and the only time horses were used was when they went out of the country, to appear "normal". I shivered. Horses were my favorite animal and I needed a good horseback ride. I just prayed at least one horse was broke. I went into the kitchen. Surely no one would miss me too much if I explored the countryside for a day. After I make myself a lunch and change into something a bit less elegant,   I'd see if there were any broken horses.

I arrived at the stable and looked around for the keeper.

"Hello?"

"Hello" A strange man came out of the I would presume would be the tack room, but I guessed it was something more sinister. The man obviously was a youkai from this elf-like ears and brown tail. He had a high-sat pony tail and blue eyes. He came out with a nonchalant look until he really got a look at me.

"You know in my family, we used to eat humans, but not only has King Ginkou outlawed the consumption of humans, I wouldn't eat a beauty like you"

It was obvious he had no clue who I was, but I found myself to blush.

"What kind are you?"  I asked.

"Youkai?"

I nodded.

As he bowed he replied,

"I, M'lady, am a wolf youkai. My name is Kouga"

Upon hearing the word wolf I shivered, but I said,

"But wolves don't eat humans"

"Youkai wolves do, but not you, M'lady. But what can I do for you?"

I smiled and asked gently,

"I would like a broken horse, please, are there any available?"

He got a worried look on his face.

"I'm sorry, M'lady, The only broken horse we have is set to be slaughtered in about an hour I…"

"Bring him to me!"

"I can't do that!"

"Well, as order of the Princess, get me the horse!"

"You are not the princess!"

Then someone walked out of the shadows,

"She is the Princess."

"Miroku!" I yelled with a smile.

Kouga looked worried and bowed.

"I'm so sorry, your majesty!"

I smiled and said,

"You are forgiven if you bring me that horse. I'm sure you can choose another."

"Right away, highness."

He bowed as he went into the stables to get it for me.

"Are you planning to run away?"

Miroku asked. I looked at him with a shocked look,

"Of course not! I'm just going for a ride. Tell that husband of mine I will be home by sunset."

"As you wish, highness."

He bowed before going back into the shadows. Kouga brought out a beautiful white horse.

"I'm sorry, Highness, but we have no tack for you."

I smiled and said, "Get me a very long piece of rope and a thick blanket."

He bowed, "As you wish, highness."

I looked at the beautiful white horse he had given me. No way was this one to be eaten. Kouga brought out the rope and wool blanket. He handed them to me,

"Here, highness."

I nodded, knowing I wasn't to say, "thank you". He sat back and watched me turn the long rope into a halter with reigns.

He looked very curious look.

"Excuse me for asking, Highness, but where did a princess learn to tie knots and make a halter?"

I smiled at him and said, "It's a secret."

He smiled back. I tried to put the halter on the horse but he panicked. I petted his neck and gently ran my fingers down his back. I spoke very gently and Kouga looked shocked. I brought the horses forehead to mine and scratched behind it's ears. Instantly we bonded. I put the halter on and the thick blanket.

"Do you need help getting on?" Kouga asked.

I smiled and gave him a shock that little 5'4 me managed to get up on the back of a horse who's back was higher then me. He gave a hardy laugh. I smiled at him.

"You are full of surprises, Princess."

I smiled and said,

"I'll return him around sunset. AND HE IS NEVER TO BE EATEN!"

"As you wish."

I signaled him to come closer. When he was close enough I whispered very softly,

"I'm not allowed to say this to you, so I'll say it only once. Thank you"

He looked up at me with a shocked smile and I gently heeled my horse just enough to have it gallop away. It was looked down upon that I didn't ride side saddle. It was no big deal to me. I freely galloped away over the meadow towards the woods.

~*~

  As I wandered down a long corridor, the only thing on my mind was Kagome. She was strong, but delicate. Brave, but shy. Gentle, yet powerful. The lecture she gave me, each word echoed throughout my mind. Maybe she might be right, even though I wouldn't admit it if it were. I kept my distance, looking at her when I could. I noticed when she talked to servants, she no longer said 'please' or 'thank you' but she'd somehow, without words implied it. She never raised her voice to a servant. Only to me… She was something else. Kagome… But as I passed an open balcony door, I heard a horse and smelled Kagome. I ran out onto the balcony to see Kagome about to ride over the hill on a white horse. A surge of panic jolted throughout my body. I immediately ran after her.

~*~

     I smiled as the clean, crisp, summer breeze flew passed me. All of a sudden, both of the horse's ears turned towards me, meaning something was behind us. He started to panic, so I pulled the reigns only to have Inuyasha jump in front of us.

"Inuyasha! What are you doing out here? I tol…"

"…Were you running away? Am I really that awful?"

He was angry, but his voice hinted worried. I sighed,

"I told Miroku to tell you that I was going for a ride."

"So you weren't running away?"

I laughed,

"No! Besides, my country is the other way! And you aren't that awful!"

I could tell he was trying not to smile, so he looked away Then he said,

"Besides, you are riding our dinner."

I hugged the horses' neck and said…

" No! He's mine now!"

I looked back at her sad look as she snuggled the horse.

"Kagome, that horse is going to be slaughtered soon, you have to return it...You…"

Oh no! I smelt saline. She was crying! Over a horse! She shook her head,

"No! Starlight is my horse! He's mine!"

"Starlight?"

She named him. Oh great,

"Aw sh-… I can't eat anything named..."

I threw my arms in the air and said,

"Okay! Jeesh! He's yours, happy! ?"

She had to be so cute and smile while nodding. Her tears were fading. I looked up at her and crossed my arms, and then she patted behind her.

"Com'on, I'll take you home…Uh, how'd you catch me so fast anyway?"

"I was going to show you later, but I don't ride horses!"

She sweetly smiled and patted behind her again.

"Come on, Inuyasha. You'll like it."

I sighed and rolled my eyes, leaping on to the horse.

"Put your arms around my waist, I don't feel like you getting injured."

I smelt embarrassment on her when she said it. I knew I could stay on no matter what, but it was a good excuse to hold her. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and scooted to be right up against her. She started to tense and give off a smell I didn't know, but it was sweet and addictive.

When he pressed himself against my back, I thought I was going to fall off my horse, but I cleared my mind and started a canter (mix between a fast walk and a gallop- but not trotting). It took us about 15 minutes to get back to the castle where I put Starlight into Kouga's care again. Inuyasha insisted I meet him out on the ballroom terrace in about 5 minutes. My curiosity was really getting to me.

I changed into just a white blouse and a pair of britches. I came up behind her as she was waiting for me. I asked,

"Are you ready?"

It was plain to see I startled her, He stared at me a moment then she snapped out of it and asked.

"For what?"

She was shocked when I bent a bit and said,

"Get on my back."

She gave me a distraught face and asked,

"I beg your pardon?"

"Get on my back."

She looked like I was crazy.

"I'm a bit too old for piggy-back rides, don't you think?"

I looked at her with an arched eye brow. She moped and climbed on my back. It sent a shiver through me and I smelt her embarrassment and shock as I gripped firmly onto her thighs. I smiled at how firm they were…but that wasn't the point.

"Hold on to me tightly."

She began to tense. When I felt her grip be tightly, I leaped over the balcony.

  When he leaped off the balcony, I closed my eyes and screamed. He was committing suicide and was bringing me with him! When I didn't feel an impact, I opened my eyes to find we were safe on the ground going at speeds that were far faster then the fasted horse. Inuyasha was running like it was nothing. Yet another "special feature" my husband has shown me.

"Are you okay back there?"

The wind was whipping around so fast by me I barely heard him. Thank goodness for his sensitive ears because I barely let out a "uh-huh."

"Good"

He began to run even faster. I hugged him tighter, but not enough to restrict his breathing. I laid my head down at the base of his neck and between his shoulder blades. His thick, white hair flowed over me, protecting me from the wind, plus I heard him better. I yelled,

"Where are we going?"

"Kagome, don't yell, even if you whisper, I'd be able to hear you."

"Oh! Sorry!" I said gently.

"We are going someplace far away. It's my secret place. I thought it'd be nice for you to see."

He kept it monotone, but I heard the excitement in his voice.

"How far is it?"

"About an hour and a half away."

"Geh? And you can run that far this fast."

"I've clocked myself at running this fast for 6 hours without panting."

"You are in shape aren't you?! I can barely run a mile without panting."

"Because you are a mere human!"

I growled at him. He laughed.

"I've never heard a growl so pathetic!"

"Sorry, but the ability to growl is not in my blood. I growl how a mere human growls."

He laughed again.

"Just lay back and prepare yourself,"

I got panic in my voice,

"For what now!"

He ran into a forest, he immediately took to the trees. He bounded off the highest branches, to fast to barely put any pressure on them. With each quick fall, I squealed with a laugh as my tummy would flip. He laughed each time.

It hurt my ears when she did it, but she was enjoying it.

"Having fun back there?"

She laughed. Most girls would just lay back there, maybe pass out. We were at times as high as 20 meters above the forest floor. She began to laugh and said the thing I absolutely did not expect,

"Can you go faster?"

I laughed and said,

"Hold on!"

Even this wasn't full speed, but I still couldn't believe this, but all that changed when she saw the upcoming lake. She gasped,

"Inuyasha! There's a lake!"

"Yah? So?"

"So…Why aren't you slowing down?"

He proceeded to jump from the tree tops to the ground and speed up. I braced my self to be submerged, but I heard something like we were stepping in puddles. I opened my eyes to see Inuyasha was running acrossed the water! No way! I was getting splashed by the spray he was causing.

"How can...how can you wal-run on…?"

"Com'on Kagome, It wouldn't take a scientist to know I'm running to fast to sink, plus have you ever seen a stone be skipped?"

"Yes."

"Well, that practically what I'm going, but I still have momentum, so I don't sink."

I smiled. I was on my husband's back, running acrossed a lake faster then a horse. But then I repeated…My…husband. I don't know what brought me to do it but,

She gave me a quick embrace and snuggled into me real for a moment…like a hug! I blushed. Thank goodness right then we came on shore because I might have sunk. But we continued on our trek to my special place that I want to share with someone that was becoming special…If that makes sense. But another 45 minutes and we would be there.

~*~

 

  After lying on Inuyasha's back for an hour and a half, we slowed down to a stop. We were in front of a cave. He took us inside a cave. In it was a body of water.

"How long can you hold your breath for?"

I was nervous but answered.

"I don't know. Pretty long for a human I guess."

He smiled and got into the water with me on his back it was pretty warm water! He had no problem swimming with my added weight. After he was against the wall on the other side, He instructed,

On the count of 3, take a huge breath."

Scared I said,

"Ok".

"Don't worry, I won't let you drown, just count to three. 1…2…3...Breath!"

When he felt me take a large breath, He dove under. He was a very fast swimmer too. It was pitch black and I know he very well couldn't smell down here, so how did he know and where were we going to go. I started to see stars and let out my breathe. I guess Inuyasha felt this as a signal or something because before I knew it, I was off of his back and I felt something cover my lips, tightly. It was Inuyasha! He breathed some of his air into my mouth. Then he  pulled me back onto his back before swimming again.

I felt tingly all over after giving Kagome some air. If we weren't in any danger of drowning, I would have wanted to stay like that. All this stuff about girls was new. Miroku told me what a kiss was only a day before the ball. He said it was a sign of affection. Finally I saw light and surfaced. I was barely winded, but Kagome hungrily breathed in huge gasps of air. Before she could see anything, I told her to close her eyes. I swam to the side and lifted her up on a rock. After I got up on the rock and scooted right beside her, I whispered in her ear, which to my pleasure made her shiver and gasp,

"Open your eyes."

When she opened them, her eyes sparkled with awe and wonder. I just stared shamelessly at her, a half smile on my face.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the most beautiful thing in my life. Something caused the large crystals to glow blue, purple and green, making the smaller crystals sparkle like stars on the ceiling and walls. Even fireflies found their way into the enchanted cave camber!  I barely could breath. I looked over to Inuyasha, his eyes intend on me. Even when I looked at him, his eyes did not leave me. I continued to marvel at the phenomenon the was causing my heart to pound and my breath shorten…Inuyasha also being part of the cause.

"Do you like it?"

I smiled really big and looked at him.

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Without a mix of not realizing it and saying out loud, I said,

  "You're more beautiful."

She quickly looked at me, her smile faded. I panicked inside but stayed quiet and cool, but then it got worse after staring at me with those beautiful eyes that reflected the shimmering green, blue and purple water, but I almost jumped out of my mind when she closed her eyes and parted her lips a bit, closing in on my face. I panicked and being terrified, and being the total idiot I am, I asked,

"What are you doing?"

She froze and her eyes flew open. She suddenly sat up straight and cleared her throat. I kicked myself but I asked again,

"What were you doing?"

"Never mind."

After a few minutes of awkward silence, she laid her head on my shoulder. I tensed, but relaxed and leaned my head on hers. She sighed. I got the feeling she was enjoying this. So was I.

I laid on his shoulder, still extremely embarrassed with trying to kiss him. It seemed so right. Him staring at me in a romantic place then saying I was more beautiful then what I said was beautiful. It just seemed like the move to make, but I laid my head on his shoulder. To my surprised, he rested his head on mine. This was the perfect moment. To my surprise, he grabbed my hands and clasped them in his, tightly. I blushed, but his hands were so soft. I closed my eyes and smiled. But what caused me to try to kiss him? Did I really like Inuyasha like that? Did I?!

  I think I surprised her when I grabbed her hands. But I felt her smile. It seemed like we were like that forever, but I think both her and I knew sunset would be near soon. She yawned and got up. I stared as she stretched. Her dress clinged to her, showing every curve. I felt my jaw drop, but I closed it quickly before she saw.

"I don't want to leave, but we have to, don't we?"

"I'm afraid so."

I said as I got up.  I jumped into the water, I don't know what ran through her mind, but she walked back to the wall, and then ran as fast as she could. With a "Yahoo!" She jumped over me which resulted in a canon ball. Even with her smaller size, she made a splash that was big enough to drench me. I guess we could stay just a bit longer.

"Sorry! I couldn't help it!"

She said innocently, but oh! The look on her face when she saw me jump. She screamed and swam out of the way. I landed inches from her. When I got up, I got a cocky smile. She shoved me and smiled,

"Show off!"

I got a mischievous smile. Fear sieged her eyes. She tried to swim away, but I grabbed her and she shrieked as I threw her. I swam to where I was right in her face when she emerged.  She growled at my cocky smile.

"Where did you learn to growl?"

She shrugged. I laughed as I dove underwater, she followed. Glowing crystals lit the pool perfectly. We swam around each other with big smiles. This was the most fun I've had…ever! But something happened. We locked eyes again. She looked so beautiful, but I had no clue to do but to grab her and hold her.

Underwater. Eyes locked. I didn't know the next move. I froze, but then he quickly came at me. I braced myself,  then he took me gently in his arms. We broke surface and he held me against him. I froze. What was he doing? I didn't know, but I gently held him back. He nuzzled into my neck as we floated there in water that was probably a few hundred feet deep. I shivered as he stroked my hair. His wet, white shirt was now see-through so I saw his well defined torso, But it was like we didn't know what to do next. He had no clue about physical love and after the embarrassment with the kiss, I didn't advance either, we were just there. Floating in a cave with glowing and sparkling crystals. We had to have been there at least for an half hour. It took all of each other's will power to separate to go home.

~*~

It was about an hour past sunset when I leaped onto our bedroom balcony. Thankfully all the wind dried our clothes but I discovered something,

"Kagome? We're home….Kagome?"

I listened in on heavy breathing. She was asleep. I gently slid her off my back into my arms and I gently laid her in our bed. I stared at her sleeping face. I don't know what brought me to do it, but I kissed her forehead. I changed and got in beside her. I just watched her till I fell under as well.

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A/N: awwwwwwwww how kawaii, no? I'm on my hubby's comp because my lovely daughter has disabled my keyboard, so bare with me if I don't update as quick. Changes are Kagome & the Pirate Capt. The Silver Hanyou, won't be updated till I finish this one, which has about 3 or 4 chapters left. Com'on! It was originally going to be only 5 chapters, but I knew people would kill me! But TTFN! Kudos!