First and foremost, I apologize to all my readers out there for the incredibly long delay between chapters. Midterms and then a new job sapped all my strength from me. Originally I broke up Chapter 4 because it was getting too long. But what WAS going to be Chapter 4b is now officially Chapter 5. The space where my author's note was (since has since banned chapters that are only author's notes) is now the edited "second half" of Chapter 4. My apologies for this chapter being so short here on but most of it I can't post here thanks to the rating restriction! Grrrr… So I had to edit and rewrite part of it so people don't report me and get me kicked off the site. grumbles
To give you an idea.. without review responses, the original edited version of Chapter 4 was roughly 5000 words less than the unedited version. The edited version, even with the insert, is still roughly 4000 words less, but what can you do?
This is the "Ai no Koinu" version of a swimsuit/hot spring episode. Yes, I'm going a bit too far with the anime comparisons, aren't I? But I think we all need a little break after those past two chapters, and considering what's going to happen in future chapters. evil grin So just sit back, relax, and bask in the WAFFy goodness.
Special Disclaimer: This is the approved" version! For the more adult version, search for this story on Mediaminer, go to the "Iridescent Dreams" website, or my own site at inuyasha dot ficbit dot org! (Replace those "dot"s with "."s.) Just please leave a review when you're done! Please? begging
Rating: R - If sexual situations or bad words offend you.. how in the world have you gotten this far anyway? ;)
Disclaimer: Inu Yasha, Kagome, Shippo, and Sesshoumaru are NOT mine! If they were, I'd be doing side stories like Murakami Maki does for "Gravitation" (aka explicit lemony doujinshi.. mmmmm….). They do belong to Takahashi Rumiko, though. The planet of Amoi, the city of Tanagura, and the rest of that world aren't mine either.. those are Yoshihara Rieko's. I'm just having way too much fun with it! :D
Ai no Koinu
By Elora
Chapter 4a
"Bonding" - Part One
Bright morning light shone in through the curtains of Inu Yasha's bedroom, rousing the silverhair with a grumble. Much as he hated to admit it, he was starting to miss Shippo's wake-up calls. He'd told the Furniture time and again that one of his genetic enhancements was an internal alarm clock so that he would never awaken late for a meeting, but the little redhair just ignored that.
Now it was way too quiet in the morning.
The silverhair yawned and stretched, then slid out of bed and reached for his crimson bathrobe.
Three weeks had passed since he bought Kagome, and they had settled into a routine with almost unnerving ease. The Pet spent her days helping Shippo look after him; the Furniture already having taught her how to cook and do some cleaning.
And every time she learned something, she would have to come and tell him, her eyes sparkling with pride in her accomplishment, and pleading with him to revel with her. Depending on his mood, he'd either just smile, or make a teasing remark. There were a few times he was certain she wanted to beat him to a pulp when he crossed the line. But her composure had only slipped that once.
Absently, his fingertips brushed his pursed lips, wondering what on earth had possessed him to kiss her. Neither of them had said a word about it since that night. It had been his first kiss, actually, but he had given it freely. Much too freely. Still, it had shocked her out of her paralysis.
She wasn't like anyone he had ever met before. She was gentle and understanding, yet strong and independent. She was confusing, damn it!
Yet, somehow, he knew he wouldn't have it any other way.
Judging by his internal clock, it was a full hour before Kagome woke up. Just enough time to bathe and dress before she would want to use the facilities.
Still yawning, he walked through the bedroom door, which he had taken to keeping unlocked now. He really didn't know why he had started deviating from his routine, but he refused to delve deeper into the meaning of it. He preferred not to know.
He was still groggy as he keyed in the sequence to unlock the bathroom door, forgetting that this particular door was normally unlocked.
Until a shocked scream rang in his ears.
He found himself staring at a very soapy, but otherwise naked, Kagome.
"Wha.. what are you doing here?"
Kagome glared at him, her arms crossed over her chest and her fingers curled over her shoulders, instinctively attempting to preserve some sort of modesty.
But the bubbles in her hair ruined the serious image she was trying to project.
"Taking a bath, what's it look like?"
Inu Yasha was nonplussed. "You're not supposed to be up this early," he told her in a shocked monotone."I forgot to draw the curtains last night," the Pet explained, her annoyance plain, "so the sun woke me up."
"Oh, okay." The silverhair's brain had temporarily ceased to function as he gazed at the dark-haired girl in front of him. Since the incident with Sesshoumaru, he had not made any demands on her modesty. The last thing he wanted was to remind her of the life she had led before the day he bought her from the auction block. But now he was reminded of how patently beautiful she was. Her breasts and pubic area were concealed, but the soft curves of her body were very apparent. He fought back a twitch in his fingers. He wanted to touch her, smell her, imprint everything about her indelibly upon his heightened senses.
He had to get out of there!
He coughed in slight embarrassment, a slow blush coming over his cheeks as he edged back toward the door. "Just knock on my door when you're done. I've got work to do," he tried to snap, but it came out closer to a growl.
Kagome's irritation had washed away as she saw the conflicting emotions reflected in her master's golden eyes. Desire, banked down by guilt right after, but they still smouldered with admiration. Then the curtain of propriety attempted to smother it, but his natural instincts were winning.
Could it be he was actually trying to NOT take advantage of her?
For the past few weeks, he hadn't even touched her. But in her mind lingered that impromptu kiss. She had only been aware of the end of it, but that little bit was more than enough to intrigue her. What if all of his touches were like that..?
And in all honesty, she truly wanted to see more of him than his bathrobe revealed. The little she could see.. his well-muscled calves and graceful feet, and the smooth skin of his chest.. heightened her curiosity. And her heart rate.
He was almost to the door. Three.. two.. one…
"WAIT!" the Pet cried out.
Inu Yasha stopped centimeters from the panel to open the door. He turned back to Kagome in annoyance. "What?"
She put on a sheepish grin. "Uh.. well.. I know this is really rude of me, but Shippo's not awake yet…"
The silverhair's eyebrows rose. "What?"
"Would you.. well…" Courage Kagome! "I'm having trouble reaching my back…"
"Oh is that all?" Inu Yasha snapped, trying to sound as if he scrubbed the back of beautiful Pets every day. He shrugged nonchalantly. Or at least, that was what he thought he was doing. But in reality, it was the wrong thing to do, because then Kagome could see his hands shaking. "Fine, I'll do it," he bit out.
"Thank you so much!" Kagome beamed, giving him her best happy, relieved smile.
Which made his heart rise into his throat. That sparkle in her eyes.. he'd do almost anything to cause it again. "Keh," he managed to force out and strode over to where she was sitting.