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 and the Lady Maekomari. 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 9: My Family

Kagome was riding the power that flowed through her like she was strapped to the back of a wild mustang. With every buck and kick she felt exquisite satisfaction at staying locked in that saddle, but if she let go for just one second she would fall and be engulfed, possibly trampled on. She couldn't see anything and she wasn't sure she cared. Smells that were harsh before seemed lulled and quiet. Sounds that had been hurting her ears were know odd throbbing sounds in the back of her mind.

Kagome didn't know how long she stayed there, locked in that raw, solid passion, but when she came to and her sight began returning to her she found herself locked in a kiss with Inuyasha, still a demon. It was everything Kagome ever thought a kiss would be. It was the thing she read about in romance novels. It was as if Inuyasha was trying to crawl inside her through her mouth. Lips, tongue and teeth all came into play in this primal dance he had captured her in. Kagome's hands were at his shoulders, raking her nails down and slicing through the white cloth of his shirt, leaving small red trails behind. Kagome was puzzled. Through all these erotic sensations trailing up and down her mind, the sight of Inuyasha's blood made her think. If he had been wearing his Haori he wouldn't be bleeding. Wait, where was the fire rat robe anyway? Through it all it was the oddity of the situation that forced Kagome's right mind to surface. Kagome rarely saw him without it, so where was it?

Kagome blinked as if coming back from a fog, which was extremely hard to do with Inuyasha's lip now trailing down her neck and sucking attentively on the wound he had made. Okay, be kind rewind...Inuyasha was sucking on her neck? What the hell!?! Kagome sat up so fast that it ended up throwing Inuyasha, who had not been prepared for the sudden resistance, backwards. Kagome back peddled but he was up just as quick. Inuyasha was mid air diving for her when her call rang out, pushing the pleasurable, yet suffocating fog far from their minds.

"Inuyasha, SIT!" Down went the demon. Inuyasha's face was embedded in the ground not more then two feet away from her. She wasn't sure how long he stayed like that, but however long it was he wasn't moving. She sat there, equally still. Had she seriously hurt him? Kagome watched in horror as he began to shift and move. Would she still see those dangerous red eyes peering up at her? Would sitting him be enough this time? Kagome held her breath as he raised his face, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. Oh God, please...

She was met with glazed amber eyes, friendly and yet looking a bit confused. Kagome let her breath go and felt a tremble run through her arms. Her hands were shaking.

"Kagome?" His voice was smooth and lyrical, not rough and husky. He was back. Inuyasha crawled up and Kagome stayed where she was, on her butt with her elbows propping her up. Inuyasha began crawling over to her and Kagome felt the distinct pull of the desire to flee. She fought against it. This is Inuyasha, she told herself, he won't hurt me. She managed to say put but failed to calm the fine tremble that ran through her body with a vengeance.

"Kagome, you're shaking." Inuyasha reached out to her. Kagome let him run his hand through her hair. leaning into it like a cat. Having him touch her brought comfort and yet the image of him above her with those red eyes would stay with her for a very long time, if not forever. Inuyasha picked himself up and repositioned himself behind her so she was cradled comfortably against him. Inuyasha brushed her hair aside and paused at the red imprint he found nestled in the crook of her neck.

"I did something bad, didn't I?" Kagome nodded, choking down a sob. It seemed easier to do now, like she was plain out of energy to cry. Kagome heard a sob escape and it took her a few moments to realize that it hadn't belonged to her. Kagome ignored the throbbing and craned her neck to see Inuyasha staring blankly off into the distance, tears streaming his beautiful face. Kagome rolled over so she was straddling his lap. He continued to cry as quietly as he could, not looking at her. Kagome felt the image of the frightening demon fade away and all she was left with was this beautiful creature before her who was in pain.

Kagome place her hands on both sides of his face. The small touch seemed to bring him back. His tearful gaze turned to her.

"I'm so sorry, Kagome. I would never...I didn't mean to hurt you." Kagome pulled his face to her and he burrowed into her chest. Kagome was reminded of the time when her brother skinned his knee and she had comforted him. Kagome began rocking like she had back then, stroking his baby soft hair. Inuyasha was still mumbling broken apologies, his face pressed against her worn uniform. Kagome tried to draw his face up so she could see his eyes, but he clutched against her tightly, as if he couldn't bare to meet her gaze.

"Inuyasha," she called softly. He peeked up, as if a guilty child who had been caught stealing cookies.

"Please don't hate me, Kagome?" The request struck her. Was that what he was upset about? Thinking that she would hate him? Kagome placed a finger underneath his chin and drew up to a seated position. He sat up obediently, childlike eyes waiting for a response.

"Inuyasha, I don't know what just happened, what barriers I just crossed. I don't know what happened between us that made me so scared and so certain at the same time. You scared me, Inuyasha. I didn't know what happened. You really scared me." Inuyasha dropped his eyes down, fidgeting slightly.

"I'm sorry, I'll go." Inuyasha was about to stand when he felt unexpected weight hold him down. He looked up to find Kagome crawled back in his lap. Kagome leaned forward and laid the gentlest kiss he'd ever received on his lips.

"I could never hate you. I never have and I never will." Inuyasha laughed then. It was one of those laughs you give when you've just been passed by your worst fear and it didn't notice you. Sheer relief followed by joy.

Kagome's laughter joined his and soon he was peppering her face with kisses. It was both playful and panicked. Kagome returned the kisses with equal fervor. Soon they were rolling around the grass, warming themselves in the light of the rising sun. Laying there with him, his arms wrapped around her-not demanding anything, just happy to be where they were- was one of the most beautiful things Kagome was sure she'd ever experience. Kagome let her eyes drift shut and snuggled into the warmth that was Inuyasha. Although Sesshomaru's offer hung in the air, she pushed it from her mind, wanting to simply enjoy where she was. After all that had happened, Kagome wasn't sure Inuyasha was Mr. Right, but laying here with him, she was more then sure he was Mr. Right Now.

Inuyasha carried Kagome back to hut long after she'd fallen asleep against him. Today had been the best day of his life. Every fear he had carried that surrounded this beautiful new youkai had been slayed today and put to rest. Inuyasha nestled himself into a room separate from the others. It was long since noon but he knew no one would bother them. Inuyasha wrapped himself in one of Kaede's quilts that were stuffed with feathers. The old hag seemed certain this quilt thing would catch on. Kagome seemed to like them and it kept them warm well enough so he indulged the priestess, bringing her a bird or two when he went hunting. Shippo lay not far from where he had settled. The kit was wrapped in his Haori. He had given it to Miroku and told him to wrap him in it so he wouldn't smell that he had left him and wake up in hysterics again. Leaning over Kagome, Inuyasha scooped up the sleeping kit in his hand. Leaning back in he pulled Kagome close to him once again, tucking Shippo gently between the two of them. Shippo stretched lazily and continued snoring quietly away. Inuyasha inhaled deeply against Kagome's hair. He loved her scent. He had known it for a long time. Kagome was his, and oddly enough so was Shippo. They were more than just his pack, they were his family.

Inuyasha groaned as he felt a familiar pinch in his neck. Irritated he slapped at it and came away with a flea youkai.

"Myoga, what do you want? I'm tired." Myoga crossed his arms indignantly.

"Well excuse me, seeings how it's after noon I thought you all might be awake." Inuyasha held back a growl.

"If you don't pipe down we all will be awake. Kagome and Shippo had a rough few hours. We're not to be bothered." Myoga jumped from the Hanyou's hand and landed gently on Kagome's neck.

"I'm not sure a 'rough few hours' covers it, Master Inuyasha. Do you know what you have done?" Inuyasha fought the guilt that began creeping up.

"I wasn't in my Hanyou form. I remember Kagome attacking me and then waking up with my face in the dirt." Myoga examined the wound closer.

"She's covered in your scent, obviously your demon half wanted everyone know just who exactly he thought she belonged to. My hypothesis is that is was Kagome's violence towards you that brought about your demon half. The poor girl isn't used to the strength of Youkai emotions and happened to take it out on you." Inuyasha nodded solemnly.

"Yeah and without my Tetsusaiga I transform a whole lot easier."

"Precisely. You should hope we get that sword back from your brother before we run into that foul wolf demon." Inuyasha blinked.

"You mean Kouga? What about him?" Inuyasha could literally taste his dislike for theTaiyoukai of the East.

"Think about it Master Inuyasha. Young Kouga is determined to have Kagome as his, so after the light show we were all afforded on the day of her transformation, doesn't it make sense that he would return to her to be sure she was unharmed after such a display of power?" Inuyasha did growl this time.

"That's precisely what I'm talking about, Milord! Kouga raises such a bitter competition between you two that who knows what would happen." Inuyasha swallowed his distaste for the wolf and concentrated.

"With my sword not anywhere near me and Kouga getting all friendly with Kagome, I'd probably transform right there." Myoga nodded gravely.

"I understand that you are more then ready to have your battle with Kouga, all bets off, but I also realize that you care for Kagome. Killing the Taiyoukai of the East would devastate her. She sees Kouga as a love-struck fool who she's befriended. The poor girl has no idea that his desires for her run much darker and deeper then some besotted child." Inuyasha found himself agreeing whole heartedly.

"Yes, Kagome does let that wolf get all touchy feely with her. I'm certain I'd loose it. But, I wouldn't want Kagome mad at me."

"Master Inuyasha, you must see Kouga and she sees him, not as a Taiyoukai of dangerous power and unpredictable reputation, but as an eighteen-year-old boy with a fancy." Huh?

"Eighteen?" Myoga nodded.

"Yes, Kagome hasn't been taught about the way Youkai age. Yong Kouga physically looks about two years older then herself. She doesn't see him as a threat." Inuyasha was simply baffled by this. How could he not have noticed.

"You're saying she thinks I'm what, seventeen? If that's true then she has no idea of the power Kouga has had time to collect over the years." Myoga leapt from Kagome's neck to Shippo's hair.

"Precisely. You are almost at you seventh decade of life and Kouga well into his ninth. Kagome must be reminded before she makes too powerful an alliance with him." Inuyasha scoffed at the flea.

"I thought that's what you wanted, to use Kagome as a bargaining tool?" Myoga sweat dropped.

"I was thinking more like the Taiyoukai of the South. Kouga, while powerful and plentiful in recruiting ability, he's a one track mind. Once he sees his opportunity to make off with Kagome he will. I certainly wouldn't want that opportunity to be in the middle of the battle with Naraku, would you?" Wow, so the flea can make sense, he thought.

"The Taiyoukai of the South? I've never met him."

"Her, actually," Myoga corrected.

"Her name is Maekomari and she has many forces dedicated to the will of their mistress." Inuyasha shrugged.

"Well, she can't be all that if I never heard of her." Inuyasha was about to settle back into sleep when Myoga's voice stopped him.

"Maekomari was your mother's best friend when she was alive." Myoga bounced towards the door and was stopped just short of it.

"Myoga?"

"Yes, Master Inuyasha?"

"Give us a few days rest and then we'll make due South." Myoga smiled.

"As you wish, Master Inuyasha."