The Race For Kagome

By: LadySol

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I think this goes without saying, I don't own Inuyasha and Co. although I do own the good ol' boyz Korii, Mael, and Kentai. You may borrow them if you so wish, all I require is recognition, so don't go stealin' and claimin' em as yerz! Got that!? Umm, okay point made. Anyway, enjoy the ficcy.

Chapter 8: Control

When Sesshomaru had left her, he had left her with a deep sense of understanding. Sesshomaru hadn't left her with a deep searing kiss like they did in romance novels. No, that wasn't what he was asking of Kagome. Sesshomaru offered her a partnership. She would give him immortality and her body, and he would giver her the protection she would need to survive the coming centuries. He would be gentle with her and had been clear through his words that he would harbor no cruelty towards her. Sesshomaru was safety, security, and a sense of belonging. He had asked her to teach him about love and she would. Kagome was positive that once he realized that love was just...Something more, he would rethink his proposition. Kagome was a firm believer that there was somebody out there for everyone. A perfect match. Both Sesshomaru and Kagome acknowledged that they were in no way matched, but they could compliment each other quite nicely. Kagome knew that Sesshomaru's match was out there somewhere, and she also knew it wasn't her. Yet, something rang true in the Taiyoukai's offer. Sesshomaru would be loyal to her no matter what. It was that kind of loyalty where you never questioned it. It was almost a tangible thing. Kagome only wished it were for the right reasons.

Sesshomaru got her heart pumping, sure. But, hell, she was a teenager still. She was sure any guy with that amount of confidence would tweak her a little bit, but it wasn't that that had made her listen to his words and not scream for Inuyasha's rescue. Sesshomaru offered Kagome no passion which in turn meant no complications. No jealousy, contempt, anger, and in time even embarrassment. Sesshomaru offered her a partnership in the most basic form of the word. God help her, she was tempted. For years now, Kagome's relationship with the beautiful Hanyou was up and down and sometimes even sideways. Sesshomaru offered protection from that emotional rollercoaster that was passion. Kagome wasn't sure what she valued more, being grounded and in control or that weightless feeling of flying and not knowing if you're going to fall.

Inuyasha burst through the bushes minutes after Sesshomaru had left her. What he said was right. If he did not want Inuyasha to know where he'd been, he wouldn't. Inuyasha gave no indication that he knew his older brother had been standing where he now stood.

"Kagome, are you alright?" His tone was cautious and Kagome hated him for it. Inuyasha was looking at her as if he wasn't sure she was going to attack or not. Kagome just crossed her arms and seated herself on the ground, eyes closed.

"Aw, c'mon Kagome. Myoga didn't mean it like that, honest. I'd never let him use you as bait, you know that." Kagome huffed.

"Do I?" Inuyasha was slightly taken aback by her tone of voice. He edged away from her ever so slightly. Even with her eyes closed, Kagome could feel him moving away. She snapped.

"God damnit, Inuyasha! I'm still me! I'm not gonna tear you to pieces okay!?" Inuyasha cringed. He hadn't meant to offend her by making her think her presence was unsettling to him. He just wasn't sure how well he could control himself. Inuyasha took a deep breath and crawled up to Kagome. Her eyes opened to find his nose almost touching hers. She tried to contain her jump, but he caught it.

"Calm down, Kagome." Kagome growled.

"Go fuck yourself." Kagome's hand launched out and she felt the solid connection to his face. Inuyasha was stunned into silence for more then a whole minute before he growled back.

"Wench, cease before I see fit to punish you." Kagome met his gaze levelly.

"I'd like to see you try, Inu-Kuro." Dog shit. Kagome couldn't believe herself. She'd just insulted Inuyasha with Kouga's favorite curse phrase for him. Kagome suddenly had that feeling where you wonder 'what have I gotten myself into?' Kagome was so not prepared to be pinned to the ground.

Inuyasha sat atop Kagome's hips as if he belonged. A look somewhere between seriousness and confidence was settled upon his features.

"Get the hell off me!" She yelled, thrusting her hips up to roll. Inuyasha calmly rode her hips, managing to use his weight to keep her down. Kagome reached forward to push him off but found her hands quickly pinned to her sides, his knees holding them in place. Damnit, she mentally cursed, I though being a youkai was supposed to make me stronger. Inuyasha all but glared at her from up top.

"I am dominant between us. Do you submit?" Kagome looked back up from her struggle and found herself still. Red eyes met hers. Oh fuck.

"Inuyasha?"

"Do you submit, bitch?" That brought on a wave of fury Kagome had never experienced before in her life. With out thinking or planning Kagome sat up, using muscles in her stomach she hadn't known she possessed and head butted Inuyasha square in the nose. Had he been a normal human his nose would've surely been broken and bleeding like a son-of-a-gun, but being in his demon form helped him so he was only slightly knocked aside. Kagome had never truly understood fight or flight before now. A part of her was screaming to run, but the other part was pissed as fuck. Guess which side took control?

Kagome launched herself at him in a fury of fists, claws, and even kicks. Kagome landed every single hit, growls rolling out of her mouth, sometimes shifting to small roars. Kagome was certain she was winning. Until he looked up. Inuyasha lashed his arms out and Kagome froze up and braced, as if expecting a blow. She found herself crushed to his chest within seconds. Shouldn't have froze, she thought. Kagome struggled to squirm out of his grasp but with his arms locked around her like this she was helpless. Kagome yelped in surprise as he rolled onto his side with his legs wrapped around her now as well. She was once again underneath him. Inuyasha held her to him with one hand and used the other to grip her hair, jerking her neck to the side. Oh no, she thought, he's going to snap my neck! Inuyasha brought his mouth down and against her neck and bit down. Hard.

Kagome screamed louder then she ever had in her entire life. But it wasn't in pain.