Disclaimer: The series Inuyasha: Sengoku o-Togi Zoushi and its characters, events, situations, and locales do not belong to me in any way, shape, or form. This is a work of fanfiction and was written for entertainment purposes only. No profits are made from the writing or reading of this story. Only original characters and situations are © copyrighted by me.

Warning: There is sexual content in this chapter. Please read at your own discretion.

I Want Tomorrow

©2004 by Kei

XI – Conceal and Reveal

Inuyasha spent the night fitfully. Shippô snoozed on a small pallet nearby, dead to the world and snoring for all he was worth.

The dog demon, however, lay on his back for hours and stared at the ceiling. Sometimes his head was empty, the sounds of the night drifting in through one pointed, white-furred ear and right out the other. More often, though, Kagome dominated his contemplation. He remembered the almost immediate fondness he'd developed for her upon first meeting her. She had accepted him right away, no questions asked, when so frequently in his life he'd been shunned for being a half-breed. He had always been too weak to run with demons or too wicked to live among humans. With Kagome, he had somehow been just right.

'But was me likin' her what I really felt?' he wondered. 'Or was that just Kikyou manipulatin' me?' He balled his hands into fists so hard that his claws punched holes in his palms.

"Dammit!" he hissed, shaking his slightly throbbing hands out and then jumping up. He shoved the window open and hopped onto the frame, balancing precariously between his dark room and the cool, silvery night. His eyes rolled up to look at the waning moon, scanned the black forests and shadowy hills beyond the keep, and then caught sight of a lone figure meandering across the courtyard. He poked his head farther outside and sniffed. It was her! He would have recognized that scent anywhere. Even when she was caked in mud and blood, she still radiated that sweet scent.

'What's she doin'?'

Without a second thought, Inuyasha launched himself from the second level of the building and landed lightly on the sandy soil below. The figure heard the thump of his feet and turned, silhouetted by the moonlight.

"What're ya doin' out here, Kagome?" he demanded, storming over to her. He saw her eyes regarding him without emotion, which irked him. Where was that emotive miko he had met only several days ago?

"Ya shouldn't walk around alone at night; could get hurt, ya know," he told her forcefully, grabbing for her wrist so he could haul her back to the healer's cottage. She slipped out of his grasp like a wraith, turning her back on the half-demon and walking away.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, offended at her wordless slight. "I was talkin' to ya!" He darted after her, effectively blocking her path. When she attempted to sidestep him, he mirrored her, preventing her escape. Even when she tried to trick him by moving in the same direction twice, he still obstructed her path. His sharp canine senses could predict her move a split-second before she made it.

When she seemed to realize she could not evade him, she let out a barely audible sigh and met his amber gaze again. After a moment, she turned to the right and began walking again. Inuyasha gaped at her. How stubborn could the girl be?

Seeing he had not followed, Kagome stopped and craned her head around to look at him. He quirked a thick, black eyebrow at her and slowly sauntered up to her side. Then she took up her stroll once more, and he accompanied her. Obviously, she refused to abandon her late-night stroll, but, apparently realizing Inuyasha would not give up his pursuit, had resigned herself to his company.

She now wore a pale green cotton yukata along with her regular socks and sandals. He noticed her hand constantly held against her flat abdomen where he had slashed her, as though only her palm's pressure would prevent the spillage her intestines. He furtively glanced at his blood-tipped claws, clearly reliving the moment when they had pierced her skin, sinking into it as easily as they would quicksand, and ripped four long, jagged gashes across the soft flesh. He shuddered at the grisly memory, hoping Kagome couldn't see the faint shiver.

Kagome paused every few minutes to examine trees or undergrowth, perhaps to familiarize herself with her new surroundings. Inuyasha wondered if she was using her priestess powers to communicate with the plant life. If so, what questions was she asking, and what answers were they giving? He would probably never know.

'What a strange girl,' he thought as she approached a koi pond. The fish were motionless at the bottom of their habitat, sleeping with open eyes. They still held interest for Kagome, though. She knelt at the edge of the small body of water and seemed to just stare into its depths. Inuyasha couldn't discern if her gaze was directed at the fish or at something else in the pool, something only her eyes could see. For the first time it entered Inuyasha's head that perhaps something injurious had happened to Kagome's mind in addition to the wounding of her body. She was still not speaking and treated Inuyasha like they knew each other by name only and nothing more. Even if Kagome had become mute, Inuyasha had been expecting some show of affection, or maybe relief that he was not hurt, when she regained consciousness. Instead she had initially acted numb towards both him and Shippô, only emerging from her shell when Shippô became too forlorn to ignore. Yet even then she had not acknowledged Inuyasha's presence.

On the other hand, though, she might be holding a fierce, foolish grudge against him for his actions. Inuyasha, upon having this thought, immediately decided that must be the case. Kagome could have her childish silence; Inuyasha could wait for her to speak first. He had nothing to apologize for; his mind had not been his own.

While Inuyasha had been deeply contemplating all this, Kagome had stood again and begun to walk off. He exclaimed and followed until he walked abreast with her. They trekked the perimeter of the grounds more than once, Kagome apparently absorbing her surroundings. She kept her own counsel, as did Inuyasha.

As deep purple-red tendrils began to unfurl across the eastern sky, prelude to dawn, the pair approached the healer's hut. Kagome entered without a word of gratitude or farewell to Inuyasha, who stood glaring on the porch for a while before nimbly leaping away from rooftop to rooftop until he reentered his chamber and lay on his pallet, ready for sleep.

((passage of time))((passage of time))((passage of time))

Inuyasha awoke after a seemingly short period of slumber and saw a familiar silhouette in front of the window.

"What're ya doin' here?" he inquired in a thick voice.

Without answering Kagome turned around and fluidly knelt beside Shipp's pallet. Her slender hand reached out and she gently shook him awake. The fox cub saw her, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and then grinned broadly at the girl before flinging his tiny body into her arms. She rose to a standing position, bowed politely at the puzzled Inuyasha, and exited.

After the short incident registered in his mind, Inuyasha hurriedly pulled on his kimono and loped after Kagome and Shippô. He arrived to find his mother and her ladies genially, curiously accosting the mute priestess as Shippô made the appropriate introductions.

"My dear girl," Lady Machi said sweetly, offering Kagome a warm smile. The girl bowed low in return, but said nothing.

"I cannot express how grateful I am to you for saving my son from such a horrific situation," Lady Machi told Kagome. "If there is any way in which this undeserving person may meagerly begin to repay her enormous debt to you, please say the word and it shall be done."

Kagome shook her head, dismissing the last statement. She bowed to Lady Machi again, more deeply than before. Shippô giggled as his stomach flipped from the up-and-down motion to which Kagome inadvertently subjected him by bending over so low with the cub still held firmly to her chest.

"Shippô, perhaps Kagome would enjoy meeting Rin this morning," Lady Machi suggested.

"Oh, yeah!" the kitsune exclaimed. "I told you about Rin, Kagome, remember? You'll like her a lot, I know it! Where's Rin, Lady Machi?"

"I believe she is out on the practice field with Sesshômaru while he exercises," the noblewoman answered. "Shall I show you the way?"

"Yes, please, Lady Machi!" Shippô begged earnestly. Lady Machi chuckled behind the end of a sleeve.

"I'm so pleased Rin has a friend her age now," she commented as she led the large group out to the cleared plot of land that had been designated as the practice field. Troops trained there under the commanders, and skilled instructors had there schooled Lord Kin's sons in the ways of battle. Inuyasha could imagine his older brother going out there every single day and waving a sword about, slashing at nonexistent opponents, or perhaps testing his poison talons on Jaken. Sesshômaru wanted absolute, cold perfection, and would stop at nothing to obtain just that.

"Oh, son, I am so glad that you could join us," Lady Machi exclaimed when she noticed Inuyasha trailing awkwardly behind the entourage. "Won't you come and walk beside your mother?"

Inuyasha walked forward until he came abreast of his mother and Kagome. The priestess looked at him blankly and he felt a strange constriction in his chest. He realized he didn't like that look, that he had somehow come to expect something more passionate from this young woman.

At length Kagome was introduced to Rin, who liked her immediately. She did not for one second question the newcomer's strange silence and she asked Kagome if the priestess would play with her and Shippô, provided, of course, that they remain close to her beloved Lord Sesshômaru. As long as Kagome didn't protest the arrangement, Shippô was content as well, having the same sort of attachment to Kagome that Rin did to Sesshômaru.

Lady Machi left the assortment of young people to their own devices, kissing her son goodbye as she and her ladies went about their business. Rin, Shippô, and Kagome engaged in a lively game of hide-and-seek while Sesshômaru ignored their presence and Jaken served his lord's every whim. Inuyasha chose to perch in a tree to watch over Kagome. He admitted to himself that he felt responsible for her and wanted to see that she went unhurt.

After a time, Kagome and her two young playmates lay down on their backs on the grass, chests heaving as they got their wind back after a wild session of chase. They gazed up at the lazily drifting clouds, occasionally pointing out the familiar shapes found in this one or that one. Kagome still kept her own council, but the children didn't seem aware of her nonparticipation. They even included her in the conversation, directing rhetorical questions at her. "See that one, Kagome? Doesn't it look like a cat?" "Kagome, look at that one right there! Don't you think it's a crane?" "Isn't this fun, Kagome? Let's stay out here all day."

Inuyasha glanced covertly at his older brother every once in a while. When he saw Sesshômaru's narrow, gold eyes land on and stare at Kagome, he tensed. The older, armored dog demon deliberately strolled toward the sprawled-out trio, his manner casual and unhurried but his eyes cruel and calculating as he surveyed the prone, carefree Kagome.

As he drew nearer, Rin looked up and saw Sesshômaru. She squealed joyfully, jumped up, and ran over to him. He glanced cursorily at her and then focused once more on Kagome like she was prey for him to hunt.

Shippô also stood up, Kagome right behind him. She caught sight of the approaching demon with the predatory gleam in his eyes. Inuyasha saw her go rigid and he prepared to leap down and tackle his half-brother.

Before Inuyasha could blink, however, Sesshômaru's hand came up. The long, poisonous claws slashed across Kagome's cheek. Her mouth opened but no cry came out. Inuyasha bounded down, murder strong and bitter in his mouth. He interposed himself between the demon and the priestess, glaring daggers at Sesshômaru, who didn't look at Inuyasha at all. His gaze was still on Kagome, wicked laughter carving a sneer on his pointed features.

"See your whore, little brother, for what she truly is," Sesshômaru spoke at last, his voice condescending and malevolent as always. "I smelled it the moment you dragged her in. You're even more pathetic than I originally thought, whelp. You couldn't scent a demon right under your nose." He chuckled gutturally.

"What the hell're ya talkin' about?" Inuyasha demanded angrily.

"See for yourself," Sesshômaru replied silkily.

"Kagome," Shippô was whimpering as Inuyasha slowly turned around to see Kagome. She had turned the wounded side of her face away from him, holding a hand over her gashed cheek. Inuyasha grasped her shoulders and forcibly whirled her around. She didn't even struggle. She met his questioning topaz eyes directly and removed her hand from her cheek. She held her palm up for him to see the substance covering it as it covered her face.

"Black blood?" Inuyasha murmured in horror, his eyes flicking back and forth between her palm, her cheek, and her eyes.

"Your lauded priestess is a demon," Sesshômaru said with a smirk as Jaken snickered. Rin and Shippô could only watch the proceedings in wordless confusion and awe.

"It...can't be," Inuyasha said, suddenly unable to get any breath. "How...how?"

Kagome only stared at him, her blue-grey eyes suddenly shimmering with tears though the rest of her countenance did not shift to express her emotions. She blinked once and the four jagged wounds began to close up. Her muscles, blood, and flesh knitted together before Inuyasha's eyes, leaving only black spatters to evidence the injury. Then her hand dropped to her side and she walked away, presumably to wash. Shippô bade farewell to Rin and gave Inuyasha a fearful glance before rushing after Kagome.

By the time Inuyasha returned to his senses, he was alone. He couldn't wrap his head around the discovery. Kagome was a demon? But he'd seen her bleed red just two days ago! She was human then, he was certain. What had happened? How did a human–a priestess, for that matter–suddenly become demonic in two days?

"It's my fault," he said to himself. "Somehow, it's my fault. I know it."

Listlessly he went through the remainder of the day. He felt his parents' eyes on him at dinner, smelled his mother's anguish for him, but couldn't bring himself to reassure her. For three years his existence had been a lie, and now Kagome, who had been to him one shining beacon of truth, was the complete opposite of what he had first perceived her as.

Yet, he wasn't filled with loathing or disgust. After all, it wasn't her fault. She was still affectionate to Shippô, polite to others. And Inuyasha still felt something about her, for her.

He lay down on his pallet that night with his thoughts in a turmoil. He was vaguely aware of Shipp's absence, but assumed the cub was spending the night with Rin or Kagome.

Inuyasha managed to succumb to a light doze, but the quiet rustle of the sliding door awoke him. He sniffed the air and bolted up. Kagome stood silhouetted by moonlight, carefully closing the door behind her. She faced him, a painful question in her eyes.

"I don't hate ya, Kagome," Inuyasha answered, tossing the blanket off and standing up. He slowly walked forward, cautious of startling her. She looked fragile as a doe.

"I know it's not yer fault, Kagome," he told her softly. "Hell, when I was a kid I always wanted ta be a demon. Hated bein' called a half-breed, hated the weakness and vulnerability of humans. But I saw the rage and heartlessness of a lotta demons, and all the love and kindness in my mom. It sorta changed my mind about my ambition." He coughed uneasily. "I know yer not one of those bad ones, Kagome. Yer still the girl playin' hide and seek with kids who love ya."

Suddenly Kagome's hand shot out. Inuyasha was about to rear back and defend himself, but her fingers contacted his face gently. She stroked the line of his jaw and cupped her hand around his cheek, her face tender. Inuyasha smile faintly in spite of himself. Seeing her solemn mask finally break brought him untold happiness.

She raked back his thick bangs and playfully fondled his pointy dog ears, which twitched at her touch. Inuyasha wrinkled his nose at Kagome. She stepped closer to him as she smoothed her hands down his long white hair. Her entire body was pressed against his, clouding his senses.

"Kagome, if ya don't stop," he muttered hoarsely, "I might not be able ta control myself. So ya'd better–"

He utterly lost all his mental faculties when her lips touched the place where his neck met his shoulders. He enveloped her in a crushing embrace, pressing her head against his chest and burying his face in her thick ebony hair. His lips seized hers in a searing, demanding kiss. He invaded her mouth with his tongue, furiously attacking hers. Kagome's hands scrambled up Inuyasha's back and clutched his shoulders tightly, her nails digging into the material of his kimono. She tore her mouth from his for just a moment before assaulting him with renewed ardor. She bit his lower lip until she drew blood and a throaty moan from Inuyasha. His eyes glazed over as he started tearing viciously at her clothes, desperate to feel her skin. It was as if some primeval instinct had overtaken him. The smell of her desire was driving him over the edge. He didn't want courteous, abashed lovemaking. He wanted something passionate, bruising, something bordering on violent. He wanted to fling her down, mount her, and ride her like a feral beast. He wanted blood and cries of pain and ecstasy.

After leaving Kagome's clothing hanging in shreds on her, Inuyasha assailed his own kimono. He ripped at the material and jerked his limbs from its confines. Finally they stood totally naked before each other. Simultaneously they reached out, arousal obvious in both, to both.

Their first coupling was savage, like they hated and wanted to hurt each other. Tears of pain streamed from Kagome's eyes when the first thrust rived her maidenhead, but the ache was subsumed in the indescribable pleasure that soon followed.

The second time was more languorous, an exploration of one another's bodies. It was a slow exercise of love, for lust had been satisfied. There was more kissing, more embracing, less clawing and grabbing.

After that they rested for a while and then Inuyasha suggested they go down to the nearby river to wash. Kagome nodded and he scooped her up in his arms. They were on the riverbank in a minute. The water was frigid, but it washed away the sweat, blood, and other fluids from their bodies. They again succumbed to their desire in the water, thrilling in the weightlessness of the action.

Close to sunrise, Inuyasha transported them back to his chamber. He gave Kagome a final kiss, held her securely in the circle of his arms, and closed his eyes. He was asleep almost immediately. His slumber was so deep, so complete, that he didn't feel Kagome slip from his embrace. He didn't hear her gathering the remnants of her clothes and tiptoeing out of his room. He didn't see how she changed into a clean set of clothes in the women's quarters or how she wakened Shippô, bade him be silent, and collected her few belongings together. He didn't know until several hours later that Shippô and Kagome had vanished with the last vestiges of night.

((to be continued))((to be continued))((to be continued))

NOTES:

Thanks to INUSKOI (I really do think it's wonderful that you read this story to your friend. I'm glad you both like it so much!); DemonInuyasha1 (I agree, it is a little confusing at first, but it's supposed to be like that. If everything is revealed and simple at the beginning, there's not much of a story, at least that's what I think. I can't really say whether Kagome will get better or if she and Inuyasha will end up happy together, because that would give away the story. Sorry!); Sakurascent; Miroku & Sango & Shippo (Thank you so very much for a wonderful review that made me smile and laugh. Actually, Miroku and Sango will be showing up soon, so cheer up!); katty-kat (Well, it's been a month since your review; not exactly updating soon, I know. Miroku and Sango will be showing up in the next chapter, I believe.)

SO! It's been approximately two months since my last update. Wow, not long at all, considering that it's me. And I was really actually doing something, too! I am amazed. I moved 1500 miles away, plus school has started again, and I still managed to write this chapter.

I will be a happy child if you review, so please do! And please let me know what you thought of "The Scene". I tried not to make it smutty or cliché, I tried to write it decorously, so please share your thoughts about it.

Love and thanks,

Kei