HEART BEFORE BLOOD: CHAPTER FOUR

Kagome was a little unsure how she had come to notice the small beady eyed creatures lurking in the trees not far from where she stood. She had simply been trying to make sense- and sense at all- of just what had happened. When her mind finally yelled at her in frustration, she had noticed that small shadows were moving along the forest border, and if she was not mistaken, they were all watching her.

Or were they? For at that exact moment, there came a slight chill crawling its way up her spine. The feeling you only get when you're being watched, and it wasn't coming from the creatures before her. No, it was something much more menacing.

The birds had stopped chirping. They now flew above the thick forest canopy in a giant flock, soaring out of sight. The whole forest had taken on an air of silence, as if in suspense, waiting for the static energy in the atmosphere to subside.

Kagome turned, before she knew what she was doing. The damp pleats in her skirt fanned out around her, mimicked by the deep ebony locks of her hair. For a moment, nothing registered. She simply stood there, her hands clutched together as a small childes would be. Her eyes were large and indifferent. The sun still shown, warming the skin just beneath her white uniform top, burning away any last drops of water. Yes, in that moment, everything was still alright.

Until her eyes fell upon him.

His face looked as if it were chiseled out of the finest marble. The Romans would have been envious. A strong jaw line curved its way to two light purple strips pointed inward on both cheeks showing a youthful looking mouth. On his forehead, where a third eye would be, was a purple crescent moon. His eyes, as she had noticed before, were cold and indescribable. Like the rest of his face, they were emotionless.

Most of his body was covered in a long, white kimono with a simple red pattern embroidered onto them. But what could be seen of his flesh was the same as his face. He was pale, that she knew. His nails were long like talons with a light green tint to them. ...And his hair. What beautiful hair he had. It came to the middle of his legs maybe. Strait, with a shine she had never seen before. And the color was pure white, almost a silver glint to it. All together he was beautiful.

But from his eyes she knew he was like a rose. So beautiful and almost god like to look at. But on touch and thorns will spill your blood with grace. She did not know what to do. Should she just stand there and wait for him to make the first move? Even if she did want to run, Kagome knew her feet would never listen. All she could do was wait.

At first there was nothing. No sound, no screaming, no movements. And then, before she knew he had moved, he was upon her. Towering over her. He studied her for a few moments, taking her in with his unforgiving eyes. And then, once again, she gave into blackness.

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It was pathetic, really, the way her face had taken on the look of fear when she turned around. He had expected her to scream, to run. Something like the other humans he had come in contact with. But she didn't, which made him even more curious as to where she came from. Her cloths were something he had never seen before, and he only slightly noted that they were damp and clinging to her bodies every curve. She seemed to be looking him over. So he took this time to do the same.

She had to have been around a young age. 15 seemed correct. Her hair was like the wings of a black raven, sprawled down her back and the tips slightly curled for the water. She wore a small piece of cloth around her waist which was a forest green. Her top was covered, although now visible from the water, by a white long sleeved cloth. From the looks of it, there were also small dirt spots here and there like she had fallen. Here fingers, which were curled around themselves, were slim and slightly pale. Her lips were drained of color, presumably from the obvious shock he had given her.

There were only three things that stood out to him about her. One was her eyes. Although they were clouded with fear, the deep vibrant blue shone as if trying to light a dark shadow. Unless you were a demon, which she was clearly not, blue eyes were not a common thing in humans. The second thing was her cloths. So strange were they that his eyes kept drifting to them which were rather annoying seeing how she was practically exposed. He could think of a lot of better things to be doing then looking at the body of a female human. The third, and most important thing about her, was the scent she was still giving off. It was a normal female scent mixed with… Lavender...and the most intriguing part. Power.

The scent had faded considerably sense he had first caught wind of it. The first time it was strong, very strong. He had first assumed it was a powerful youkai come to challenge him of his lands. But he would have noticed it sooner. This scent had drifted to him slowly, almost as if teasing his senses. He remembered wanting to chase it. Clam it for himself. Feed off it. But being as powerful as he is, it was simple to resist it. Although, not as simple as it should have been. That's what made him come. That fact that something so trivial had taken him more energy then it should have. Surly, his findings were equally surprising.

He took in another deep breath of her scent and noticed right away that there was some other scent mingled with hers. Something belonging to another demon. He was coming. He knew instantly that he was not the only one who had felt the drawing of this... girl. Others would come for her. Come for this power. Weaker demons who were not capable of thinking for them self and would tear her apart at first glance would also join in hopes of a feast. He knew they hungered for this power. He could not deny that he felt it to. Deep down he was ignoring the urge to taste that power, much like them. But he would not lower himself to that level. He could fight the instinct his demon blood was sending him. It was nothing really. More like a nagging fly around your eyes. Nothing that cant be killed with a simple flick of the wrist. But now was not the time for thinking of these things. They were coming. He was coming. While they posed no threat to him, the girl was completely defenseless. They would be feasting on her heart in a mater of minutes. This would not due. He did not have enough time to evaluate her. No. He was not finished with her. They would not have there fill until he did. As if stating the final sentence of an argument with himself he thought one thing before rushing before her. One last look at her confirmed any speculation he might have had about her being the source of power he felt.

That scent was driving him wild.

So he wasted no further time in giving her a quick blow the back of her head, which had the desired effect as she fell limp into his body. Scooping her up, none to gently, he made his way rather quickly to his home in the west.

Yes, he needed more time to study this girl, although he had a nagging feeling she was going to be more trouble then she was worth.

A:U- so this is the end of the chapter. Once again, rather short, but that's just how I tend to write. Always to eager to get the next chapter up. So please review, I am really dying to know what you all think. It's my life's blood, and I'm hungry for more.