The White Dog
by Becky Tailweaver
Chapter 20: Basic Needs
From the moment consciousness took hold of him again, Inuyasha was intensely aware of the warm softness in his arms and the sweet scent that filled his nostrils. It was Kagome, pure and simple--her touch, her scent, her very aura. It surrounded him as he lay warm and content beside her, basking in the feelings as though lying in the warm sun. For the first time, a night of horror dreams had not left him weak and drained come morning.
Slowly, his sleepy eyes fluttered open; he really didn't expect to see Kagome's slumbering face only inches from his own. Shocked, he uttered a tiny, breathless yelp and pulled away--but found his backward process halted by the fact that his arms were wrapped around her, her arms were wrapped around him, and her sleeping bag was around them both.
Trembling amd nervous, he tried to slow down and assess the situation. They were both still clothed, and Kagome didn't appear injured at all--in fact, she looked very peaceful, lying there next to him. It would be very easy just to remain where he was, looking at her...enjoying the warmth and closeness, the peace she gave him...
Mentally, he shook himself, and began to carefully extricate his arms from about her, thankful that he hadn't been touching any improper places. Just as carefully, he gently pried her grip off of him and drew himself out from under the sleeping bag.
And for a minute, he just sat there dumbly, staring at the sleeping girl and wondering what to do next.
Inuyasha knew that Kagome had somehow, impossibly, helped him through last night's terrors. There was no other explanation for her presence, for his feelings of peace despite the nightmares. Her voice...he remembered her sweet tones speaking to him from out of the agony, reaching him from beyond the veil. He couldn't make out what she said, only that she was there--calling him, soothing him from just beyond the curtain of blood and pain. She had somehow pulled him through, like a hand reaching down into that watery hell-hole full of rats and lifting him up into warm, safe arms.
Involuntarily, a tender smile stole onto his lips. Gently, he tucked the sleeping bag around her once again, making sure she was warm in the cool dawn air. Catching himself, he stopped his fingers just millimeters short of smoothing her bangs or brushing her forehead. Abashed, he settled instead for shyly touching a lock of her hair with the one nervous finger.
He glanced around, embarrassed; Kaede-babaa was nowhere to be seen and Shirokiba's scent, though present, was many hours old. No one else was there to see.
What a precious girl, he thought, watching Kagome sleep. She pulled me out...she saved me from my own darkness. I never realized...just how much I need her...
When the nightmares encroached, thoughts of her could drive them back. His mind was already busily suppressing the memories dredged up last night, so unless he actively thought about it they would not return except in dreams. And he never tried to think about it--for now, he just focused on Kagome.
I need her like I've never needed anything, Inuyasha realized desperately. What would I do without her? Kagome...please don't ever leave...
Suddenly grimacing, Inuyasha scolded himself for being sappy. Of course she had to leave--she was supposed to leave this very evening. She had her own home and family to go to.
He would have to survive without her until she found some time to return. Frowning, he rose from her side, and with one last regretful glance at the sleeping girl, he headed outside into the gray dawn light.
Kagome had to go home, he reminded himself firmly as he headed for the woods. She was going back to her school and tests and friends. She was going back to her normal, happy life, far away from youkai and monsters and shards. She was going back where that human boy could reach her.
The thought of the human boy made him rumble softly--but what could he do? Hang about her like a bodyguard and growl at other males? In his time it worked, but in hers...she would be furious, and people would be frightened.
And besides, he'd already promised himself that no matter how much it hurt, he and Kagome would remain friends. He couldn't stand having her hurt or killed because of him, like Kikyo had been. It was better that Kagome find a nice, polite, friendly human boy to date, rather than a scruffy, uncouth, half-breed inu-youkai.
They could stay friends, and Kagome could settle down and get married to a nice human boy, and never have Naraku and other bastards like him chasing her because of a stupid hanyou.
He could live with that. He would live with that.
Even though it made him feel sick...even though it made his heart hurt so bad...
Later that morning, Kagome trotted toward her rendezvous with Shirokiba. She knew she would not find Inuyasha beside her when she awoke, and she couldn't help but feel disappointed--even though she knew he rose with the sun most mornings and was active long before she woke up. She sort of missed having his warm, strong form curled up beside her when she awoke.
Once again, she wondered what Shirokiba-san was calling her out to talk about. The wolf-dog youkai had indicated some surprise about something last night, when she'd managed to calm Inuyasha during his horrible dreams. He seemed fairly determined to speak to her, so when she awoke she joined Kaede-baachan and Sango-chan for breakfast at a neighbor's, then headed for the forest. Inuyasha was nowhere around, so she could only hope he wasn't following her--Shirokiba wanted to see her in private.
Kagome shook her head in confusion and kept walking, right up to the base of the tree she sought. It was a gnarled old tree a few yards from the Goshinboku. "Shirokiba-san?" she called up into the branches. "Shirokiba-san, are you here?" He had to be; she felt his presence--chilly youki--filling the grove.
"Finally decided to come, little girl?"
Kagome gasped and jumped around. The voice came from right behind her--and there stood the wolf-dog youkai, his blue-gold eyes staring impassively at her. For a while, all she could do was stare back, her throat dry from surprise and her mouth open.
Shirokiba rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Relax, miko-chan, I'm not going to eat you."
"Um, Shirokiba-san...I came like you wanted."
"Yes. Thank you."
"A-about Inuyasha...?"
"Come with me." Before she could protest, Shirokiba had scooped her up and was flying through the air--or so it seemed. In one breathless moment, his leap had borne them to the upper branches of the tree, where a comfortable nest of boughs waited. He set her down on the springy platform and stood back, looking amused at her wide-eyed expression. They were so high she dared not look down.
Shirokiba sat down on the branch across from her, folded his arms, and gazed at her for a long time--so long that she began to fidget. Then he chuckled shortly, grinned, and winked at her. "So, would you like me to help you hook yourself a hanyou?"
"Huh?" Kagome blushed furiously, gaping, unsure of what to say. "Well..."
"I called you out here because, against my better judgement, I'm going to try to play matchmaker." This Shirokiba was a far cry from the saddened, vulnerable one who'd spoken from his heart about Inuyasha last night. Now he seemed jovial--and almost devious.
Kagome stared. "M-matchmaker? Wh-what--?"
Shirokiba cut her off. "Look, I don't exactly approve of ningen-youkai pairings, but I approve even less of Inuyasha going with Ginnezu. She's been pulling some low-down dirty tricks that I never taught Inuyasha about, and I don't appreciate her using his ignorance against him. She's been far too forceful with him and she's upsetting his balance more than anything else right now--so I need something to keep Inuyasha from being manipulated by her. I'm going to use you to even the score a bit."
"L-let me get this straight," Kagome tried again, attempting to gather some authority to her tone. She didn't exactly like the idea of being used like a pawn in the youkai's plans. "You called me out here to ask for help because...you don't want Ginnezu to seduce Inuyasha?"
"That's exactly what I called you out here for," Shirokiba replied, grinning happily. "Smart girl. You're going to be the one seducing him--it'll keep his attention off of her."
Kagome gaped, somehow paling and blushing in the same instant. "M-me? S-s-seduce...?" Eventually, she swallowed the stammer and got her tongue back. "I am not that kind of girl, Shirokiba-san!"
"I don't mean the same kind of seducing that Ginnezu's doing." The half-wolf inu-youkai regarded her amusedly, one eyebrow cocked. Little miko-chan, he's already so in love with you it's pathetic. Getting the rest in line should be easy. "She just wants physical posession and a good roll in the hay. I think you appreciate him for a little more than that, don't you?"
"Well--of course." Kagome was terribly embarrassed--but undeniably intrigued. "What do you mean?"
"I want him to pay more attention to you, girl, so he's not stuck with Ginnezu crawling on him all the time." Shirokiba took a deep breath. "Isn't a bit of affection from him what you want?"
She didn't reply.
The wolf-dog sighed. "Alright, work with me here. Has he made any overtures? Anything specific you could tell me--anything he's done that's seemed odd to you? I need to know so I know where to start."
Kagome was blushing bright red--and she knew she probably would be the entire time. "Well...um...not really. I mean, he's done some little things for me like bringing food, giving me rides, swimming with me--he's even slept next to my sleeping bag every night since we went out shard-hunting last time. But...nothing really big."
Shirokiba cocked an eyebrow. "Nothing at all? Nothing he said, nothing really physical?"
"Um...well...there was one time..." Kagome looked down, almost wringing her hands. "He did bite me once...on the nose, during a...difficult situation."
Now both the wolf-dog's brows were up. "He did? What else did he do?"
"J-just that." Kagome gulped. "He didn't hurt me..."
"Of course he didn't," Shirokiba chuckled softly. "Well. It's already begun--that makes the rest easier."
"I...begun? What...?" Kagome looked puzzled.
"He's made one very obvious overture already, but you didn't understand him. You'll need to try to communicate what you feel in ways he will comprehend very clearly." Shirokiba folded his arms and thought for a minute. "We have to be clear on this; I want you to be the one to do it, because you're the only female he really trusts."
Kagome nodded faintly, hesitant. "If I agree to this--and that's if, remember--what are you going to want me to do?"
"You're going to be his," Shirokiba replied simply, pinning her with his blue-gold gaze. "This isn't going to be easy, Kagome. Some of this might even frighten you. I'm going to be frank with you."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Um...okay." She was reluctant, yet...at the same time, she couldn't help being interested.
"Good." Without waiting for her to prepare, the wolf-dog jumped right in. "Inuyasha has already made some moves on you, in a youkai way. He protects you from harm, he guards you from the approach of other males, he brings you food--and he's even inadvertently tried some inu-youkai communication with you. So to begin with, you should let Inuyasha be the alpha, instead of trying to call all the shots yourself."
"Excuse me?" Kagome was confused--and still a bit miffed that he was practically ordering her to seduce Inuyasha. "What do you mean?"
"Your group of friends," Shirokiba explained carefully, a bit exasperated, "is like a pack to him. Right now, you're the acting as the alpha--the leader--of that pack. Let him take that role from now on."
"But--!"
"This isn't a matter of female pride, girl," Shirokiba interrupted firmly. "Becoming the true alpha will give him more confidence when dealing with you--and with others. It will help him feel stronger--and that in itself will help him when dealing with both Ginnezu and his nightmares."
"But he's such a--"
"Let him have the little things, miko-chan," Shirokiba chuckled. "Once he's certain he is the alpha, in the big matters you can speak up and he'll listen to your counsel--don't worry. And besides, he may be a rough, untrained kid, but he's actually got his father's head for leadership. Let him try."
"Oh...okay..." Kagome nodded reluctantly, feeling more uncertain by the minute.
"Be a little more demure, and let him make decisions--it'll boost his confidence, and get him interested. Being submissive is feminine to inu-youkai," the wolf-dog explained, leaning back. "Listen to him when he makes decisions, don't demand things, don't make eye contact until he invites you to. He'll wonder what's up and why things are different, but it'll get him to notice you're deferring to him."
"Will he notice?"
"Oh, he will--after he gets over the surprise," Shirokiba replied with a chuckle. "And then you might find him acting a bit imperious--sitting up straighter, being more agressive and strong-willed--but don't start screeching at him about it. Once he gets himself settled into the new order of things, he may even get a bit more posessive about you. You'll probably see him hovering around you a lot, being more concerned and jealous."
"He's already bad that way," Kagome admitted softly, twin spots of pink on her cheeks.
"It's because he already likes you," the wolf-dog informed her frankly, truthfully. "He can't help it--it's just a part of what he is."
"You sound like you know exactly what he wants in a girl," she got up the nerve to say, blushing even more.
Shirokiba shrugged. "I don't know everything about what he wants--but I do have some experience with what inu-youkai like. After all, I am a Dog...at least by half."
Kagome wrung her hands again, and couldn't bear to look up, but managed to ask her most pressing question. "So...um...what...what will he like?"
"A kindred spirit," the wolf-dog replied easily. "Physical beauty doesn't matter quite so much--it's more the soul that holds fascination. But there are physical things to consider."
Kagome only stared at him with wide eyes.
"To any canine youkai, scent is vitally important," Shirokiba stated, his tone as precise as though he were reading the information from a textbook. "Your scent is replete with information that you as a human have no concept of. Don't wear perfumes--Inuyasha is more attracted to your body's natural scent than to synthetics, like human males are, and false smells will only cover up your body's invitations."
"Is smell...really that important?" Kagome quavered.
"It's the first sense young inu-youkai learn to use from the moment of birth," Shirokiba replied, nodding, "and the one we use the most to tell us about the world around us. Inuyasha can discern many things about you by your scent alone--your gender, your approximate age, your physical condition...even your emotions, to a degree. Your scent can betray your deepest secrets; it can even tell him the precise details of almost any of your body's natural occurrences."
"So he'd...he'd know if...?"
"If you were in your woman's time of renewal, if you were receptive to him, if you were fertile at the time, if you were pregnant...he would know."
Kagome gulped, flushed and staring.
Shirokiba softened a little, seeing her comprehension. "He can read you like a book with only one of his senses, to say nothing of the other six. But it's nothing to be afraid of--"
"Six senses? I thought there were only five."
"For humans, maybe, but not youkai. We have the senses of taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing, instinct, and energy. Seven in all--each one quite powerful, and quite useful."
"I...I see." Kagome hunched her shoulders a bit. Some of the things Shirokiba said sounded just plain embarassing--Inuyasha could really know if she were on her monthly cycle? Sheesh, that was supposed to be private!
"When it's quiet, he can hear your heartbeat from several yards away," Shirokiba continued quietly, evenly. "It helps him read your mood; if you two were bonded closely, he might be able to sense your emotions through your ki if you were near enough. You have to realize this, Kagome--we youkai have senses humans can't even dream about." He didn't want to frighten her, but she needed to understand. "Inuyasha is aware of you on levels that you cannot comprehend."
"What am I supposed to do with all this?" Kagome said, her voice sounding meek, almost squeaky. It was all so complicated and confusing--and just a bit frightening. But she was almost scared to refuse Shirokiba--she still wasn't quite sure about his intentions, and she really did want to help keep Inuyasha safe from Ginnezu...
"You can do just what I've told you," Shirokiba replied succinctly. "It's what will level the playing field. You'll know how to do what Ginnezu does--and because he trusts you, it'll work much better."
"What will he do?" She was nervous--it was all so much, so fast! Shirokiba was giving her a crash course in inu-youkai courtship, and she wasn't sure if she could handle it. She wasn't sure if she wanted to handle this much of it.
"As soon as he's sure he's the dominant male, he'll probably begin to initiate more intimate physical contact," the wolf-dog went on with doctor-like candor. "In fact, you might want to be careful just how dominant you let him be--he may push things too far without even realizing it. Show him firmly where your boundaries are--but that's pretty much up to you, girl. You can invite him to be as close as you want him to be."
Kagome folded her hands in her lap, resigned to hearing this out, if not actually doing it. "Is there something specific about that, too, Captain?"
"You're too smart for your own good, miko-chan," Shirokiba replied ruefully, with a snort of laughter. "Oh well...I started it. If you're sitting together, keep your head and eye level below his. You can even lean toward him a bit, just to give him a hint. If you're reclining, stay on your back and let him remain above you." "
"It's all body language." Shirokiba shrugged, finding it almost difficult to explain what was so basic to him. "I'm just trying to help you reach out to him in a way that's more effective. Hell, if you want to, you can force his instincts to respond to you, even if his mind is hesitant."
"How...how can I do that?" Kagome stuttered. She was terribly embarrassed to even ask--but far too curious not to. Shirokiba's lecture had sparked a piece of her imagination she hadn't known existed--the thought that she could hold that kind of power with Inuyasha; like Ginnezu had, not just the Sit. Like a woman--a real woman, not a girl.
"Remember when you said he bit you?" Shirokiba asked amiably. "I'll bet he was trying even then to say, 'I'm the alpha--obey me.' By showing his dominance, he was trying to tell you your place in his pack--that you are important and he wants to take care of you. A gentle nip like that can mean the same as a kiss to a male inu-youkai."
Kagome blushed all over again, staring up at him. "R-really?"
"You'd better believe it," Shirokiba chuckled, amused by her girlish embarrassment. "Body language and physical contact are very important parts of communicating with inu-youkai, Kagome. And the closer he lets you come, the more you know he trusts and cares. You two are already pretty snuggly, from what I've seen."
Red-faced, Kagome looked down, embarrassed to have Shirokiba comment on the way she'd held Inuyasha last night.
"Do you want to know what he probably likes?" the wolf-dog offered gently.
"Um..." Kagome diverted her eyes to the floor once again, wringing her hands--too self-conscious to answer.
Shirokiba smiled gently at her while she wasn't looking--but his face returned to its frankly amused mask the moment she glanced at him. She was quite a trooper, this little human girl. The fact that she wasn't intensely resisting him betrayed the fact that she was intrigued by the information.
"To start with, he likes his ears rubbed," the wolf-dog sstated simply. "Even I know that from when he was a kid. Don't let him scare you off with his growling--he's just afraid to admit he loves a good scratch."
"I know..." Kagome admitted, hiding a smile. "I figured that one out a while ago..."
"Uh-huh." The wolf-dog grinned. "Then there's his head and neck--he'll like getting petted there. I'll bet he just loved it when you brushed his hair for him."
"Oh..."
"It's a wonderful relaxer--puts him right to sleep, doesn't it?" Shirokiba chuckled. "And if he's even half the canine I am, his chest and belly are sensitive--he'll love it if you touch him there."
"Oh." Kagome reddened.
"And your hands will be the most pleasurable of all." The youkai got a rather sly look. "Just a finger or two in the front of his kimono, tickle his fur a bit, and he'll be clay in your hands."
Kagome actually giggled at that one.
"And...I suppose whatever you do for human boys would work, too--he's half human, after all." He shrugged vaguely. "Sorry...you're kind of on your own in that area."
"Oh...okay." Except I don't know much about that, either. I've never even kissed a boy!
"Oh, one more thing--you can send him a message that will be completely impossible to ignore. A female inu-youkai would know what to do by instinct--Ginnezu sure as hell did--but you're just a human so I guess I'll have to tell you straight out."
Kagome looked up at him shyly. "What?"
"That whole 'bite-on-the-nose' thing? Well, part of that includes his signal of posession. And if you want to tell him in no uncertain terms that you're his--that you're accepting his claim--you can return the gesture."
"I-I don't know if...I...but...how?"
"Bite him back."
"Huh?"
"Like Ginnezu did at the river--that's what I mean."
"Oh...!"
Shirokiba laughed outright at the absolutely shocked look on her face; he figured some of this was going to be a little bit mature for her--or at the very least, a bit appalling. Humans didn't usually understand very well--though this little miko-chan was doing an admirable job of trying.
"I guess you don't have to do it exactly the way we do," he admitted, letting her off the hook a bit. "But...the key spot is his chin and jaw. Put your teeth there gently, or at the very least kiss him there. That's a big sign to him that he can't ignore--even if he doesn't consciously know what it means."
"How do I know...if I'm...if he's...ready?"
"Be close to him," Shirokiba replied softly. "Let him be close to you--let him hold you, and don't be angry with him. Be gentle to him, believe in him. You can try to nuzzle his throat, and he'll let you if he really trusts you. It's a vulnerable area--and to the instincts of a youkai, he's letting you get your fangs near his weak spot. That can be your test."
"I understand...I think," Kagome whispered. "Trust."
"It's all about trust," Shirokiba said. "Remember, he's inu-youkai; you're dealing with a predator--and beyond that, a creature who has lived his entire life alone, without Clan or Pack. To survive, he's remained vicious and untrusting of everyone around him--you've seen it. You've got to be able to earn his complete trust in order for him to open up to you. And that's something Ginnezu can never do--which is why you're going to win."
"But...he's also human..." Kagome tried.
"That's true," Shirokiba admitted. "And to be honest, I really don't understand that part of him very well--and neither does Ginnezu, which will give you another advantage. And I know his human blood is what's made him grow kind and trusting so much faster."
"Inuyasha's...kind and trusting?" Kagome said disbelievingly.
"For him, yes," Shirokiba nodded. "I'm amazed how much he's improved--it must be since he met you. When he was living with me, he was surly and ill-mannered once he got over his injuries--just like I told you. Now he's even relatively pleasant to be around--more open, and actually friendly. In the river with you...it was the first time even I've ever seen him smile like that--his shadows were gone for a minute."
"I hope I've been able to help him...even a little."
"Believe me, you have. And I thank you for it." With a deep breath, Shirokiba glanced at the sky through the boughs of the tree. "And...I've probably told you way more than you ever wanted to know, miko-chan. But it's necessary for what I want you to do."
"What if...what if I don't want to...go that far?"
Shirokiba regarded her evenly with those piercing gold-blue eyes. "You really don't want to?" he snorted. "I think I know better. Besides, I'm not about to take no for an answer. Not when Inuyasha's future is at stake."
Kagome gulped and looked down. "I'll...think about it."
"You'll do more than that if you want Ginnezu to lose miserably," Shirokiba retorted, rising to balance effortlessly on the branch. "You've been here long enough. Inuyasha's likely to try and track you down if you're missing too long. You should head back."
"Okay..." Kagome rose, and Shirokiba took her into his arms and dropped through the branches with her, landing easily and soundlessly as though he'd just stepped off Kaede-baachan's front porch. He set her lightly on her feet in the grass, without even a jostle.
"There you go. You'll have some time when you return to your world to think about this. You should do as I've told you," the wolf-dog said, his voice rumbling just a bit. "I don't want Inuyasha hurt because of Ginnezu's thoughtless selfishness. Be ready to begin as soon as you return--and I hope you return quickly."
"Shirokiba, thank you for...telling me all that," she said softly, daring to touch his arm, as he gazed expressionlessly at her through the dappled shade of forest light. "I know you care a lot about Inuyasha and...I'd really like to help him. I just don't know...if I'm ready to go so far."
"You're a good kid," he admitted, smiling faintly. "If you weren't hesitant, I wouldn't trust you with him. I'm sure you'll know how to handle it."
"I...I hope so," Kagome aceded.
"Inuyasha's a lucky mutt," the wolf-dog youkai said firmly. "He's a good kid, even if he is pretty rough around the edges. I'm just sorry I've got to give you such a kick in the ass to make you go for it--and I admit to being completely selfish with this plan. I know it's going to be hard on you, but honestly...I'm more concerned with Inuyasha. I want him to have what he wants."
For just a moment he paused, gazing at her, a wistful half-smile touching his features. "You're a beautiful girl, Kagome...and damn decent for a human. You know...I'd almost think of having you for myself if you didn't already belong to my best friend."
Kagome flushed for what felt like the millionth time that morning. "I don't belong to him--not yet."
Shirokiba chuckled and tweaked her nose. "Silly girl. I think you were his the moment he saw you--even if neither of you knew it. A bond is sacred--even among the Dogs, not even the lowest of them would touch you. Especially since you belong to Inuyasha."
Kagome could only stare at him, eyes wide.
Shirokiba grinned predatorily. "Go on, human--get lost before I get hungry," he rumbled--but his eyes remained good-natured, and he nudged her in the direction of the village. "Tell Inuyasha hello for me--and keep this conversation between us."
"Uh...ah...hai. Goodbye, Shirokiba-san."
"See you around, miko-chan."
Kagome turned and hurried away, her mind full of whirling thoughts and emotions that were both eager and hesitant--because as embarrassing and new and scary as it was, Shirokiba's plan was actually exciting. Armed with her new information, she felt...charged, as if she had the power now to actually fight Ginnezu on equal terms. It would be her own way to strike back at the arrogant female inu-youkai, and drive Ginnezu right out of Inuyasha's life without ever touching her.
She actually managed a grin; maybe Shirokiba's plan wasn't so bad. After all, she knew how much she cared about Inuyasha. She could sacrifice a little pride to help him.
Watch out, Ginnezu, she thought with an shyly eager smile. Here I come!
It would certainly be an unforgettable battle.