Yes, I know it has been FOREVER since I've updated this particular fic but I just didn't have any ideas and then of course my portable hard drive had to break so I couldn't export my stored stories onto a different computer so I could post them. But never fear I think this chapter totally makes up for everything in the past. No hard feelings right? Thank you all for being patient and taking the time to review. It means a lot and it feels good that you guys actually like all my stories.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho...although maybe if I wish upone a star...

Encounters of the Kumouri Kind

Chapter 7

It was turning dusk by the time Kagome returned to the hut. She felt a little bad that she hadn't returned right away, but she just felt the need to be alone. Sesshomaru's news was something Kagome had always feared deep inside her heart. She was afraid of Naraku. He wanted to kill her, see her heart bleed in ways it hadn't yet. She knew he had no intention of letting her slip away from him again. She'd been lucky the few times she'd re-met him in the past. After the battle that took away her family Naraku had returned several times and attempted to steal the Shikon no Tama. And although he wasn't nearly as powerful as he was back then, he still managed to severely wound her every time.

But she'd been lucky. Naraku had always underestimated her. That's what always caused him to lose his chance of seeing her fall. Kagome's powers had a way of acting without her telling them to. No, her powers reacted purely on instinct and cunning alone. In a way, they were sort of like Sesshomaru's Tensaiga in that they protected her from being dealt a killing blow. Kagome had no idea how many times she wished she had died back then. But that was selfish of her. She knew should she die early, Shippo would again be alone. And although she knew he was getting bolder and could leave at any time, he still stayed with her. He loved her very much and did not wish to part from her just yet. She knew one day he really would leave her and when that time came she would have to let him go. Besides she knew he would always return to her. They were bonded in ways not even true families were. In fact Shippo could barely remember his true birth mother and so he was never saddened when thinking of her. She knew he missed his father, but had mostly gotten over that.

Shippo had been devastated the day she'd come back from the battle and discovered his hiding place, informing him that everyone else was dead and that she couldn't save them. She'd been covered in the blood of her friends and family after she'd buried them for 10 grueling hours. Sesshomaru had not been present that day and so Kagome's wounds had been untreated as the blood poured out her body like rain. Those were the kind of memories that Shippo dreamed about. Kagome had collapsed into unconsciousness, scaring the little kit so bad he had never recovered. When she came to, Shippo had bandaged her up as best as he knew how and he'd been shaking like a leaf next to her.

Kagome had intended on taking Shippo home after that horrible battle, but of course now that the Shikon was complete, the well would not let her through. Apparently her task was complete as far as the jewel went. Naraku was up to her to defeat.

Kagome sighed and glanced around at the beauty of the setting sun. She absently wondered if her own family on the other side of the well was staring out across the Tokyo skyline and thinking about her, wondering if she was alive or dead.

Kagome continued her silent vigil as she came upon her tiny village, the village she protected now, the village that was her home now. Sesshomaru had gone earlier and taken Rin with him, leaving Shippo back at the village with her two demon visitors. She absently wondered if they'd left yet. Certainly they'd already learned what they could about the jewel and would be on their way home by now.

Her thoughts took a different turn as she remembered all the aspects of her life she'd shown to two complete strangers last night. What on earth had possessed her to show two thieves things so personal she hadn't even told her own mother? They'd seen everything from start to finish, every moment of joy, pain, triumph, defeat, betrayal after bloody betrayal. They must think her so weak and pathetic, that she was just spouting some sob story.

And suddenly Kagome was crying, tears which she hadn't shed in half a decade. What was she to do now? Naraku was gaining power again and she knew it wouldn't take him very long to plot and to plan just how untimely her demise would be. What would become of her this time? Would he kill her, strip her of all insanity? Would he kill her son or would she die leaving him again motherless? What about Yoko and Kuronue? Would they be just as affected as her now? Would Naraku come after them because of their association with her?

"No," she denied out loud, clenching her hand into a tight fist. "I will not allow him to take what is mine. The Shikon no Tama is mine, as well as Shippo. This village is under my protection and so he will not hurt another single soul as long as he lives."

"Who won't?" A calm voice asked, startling her out of her torrid thoughts. Gasping at her total lack of attention she turned to find Kuronue staring at her curiously from under the brim of his hat. His vivid amethyst eyes peered at her, concern and some unknown emotion lurked within those frigid deaths. He was swinging his pendant calmly, twirling it around his fingers making Kagome a bit dizzy as she stared at it.

She snapped out of it and gazed at him curiously. "What are you still doing here? I thought for sure you and your partner would have left by now?"

She watched as he shrugged carelessly and took a few steps towards her, bringing him directly into the path of the rising moon. Dusk was settling now and small, tiny stars were beginning to dot across the sky and Kagome couldn't help but think Kuronue the brightest of them all. Strange being that he was so dark and yet he glowed with a beauty only she could see. His black hair was held neatly up in a high ponytail, falling through a few of the holes in his hat. His bright eyes were regarding her with caution and patience as he observed her as well. He really was very beautiful, as far as demons go. Actually, he looked a bit dangerous. Oh, she didn't mean as in the killer/stalker type of demon like Naraku. It was just the look in his eyes and the way he carried himself that reminded her so much of a fallen angel. He looked just like the bad boys that mother's and father's warned their daughters about, the ones that road motorcycles and had tattoos and piercings and attracted girls like moths to a flame. But those were the hottest ones, the ones that turned your head and made you crazy for freedom and hot, steamy sex.

Realizing where her thoughts were taking her, Kagome flushed a deep red, body tensing with excitement and fear. This demon made her feel things she hadn't felt for even Inuyasha. She'd fallen into puppy love with him and had never once pictured Inuyasha like a hot god waiting to steal her away. And this demon could probably do it. She caught the glint of light as his wings rustled a bit and she wondered if he could really fly with those things. She thought it would be incredibly freeing to have the added ability of flight.

Kuronue noticed the miko staring behind him and wondered what she was looking at. Following the line sight of her eyes, he found them pinned directly to his wings. He turned back to look at her and flapped them once to get her attention. He was amused and delighted when her eyes lit up like a child's and she stepped forward eagerly, fingers straining to touch.

Kagome stepped towards him almost subconsciously and stopped just before him, trailing her eyes over his body. She blushed a bit when he grinned and turned slightly as if offering her something. She gasped when she realized he was allowing her to do what she wanted, touch his wings, feel them underneath her finger tips. "May I?" She stammered a bit, already reaching for the dark wings.

"Of course," he answered slowly, then shot her a teasing grin. "But be gentle."

Kagome could feel the heat emanating before her as Kuronue released his wings a bit. She met his eyes one more time trying to reassure herself that he was okay with her touching his wings and noted a softness she hadn't noticed before. Gently, almost timidly Kagome raised a hand and stroked it lightly over the left wing, surprised that it didn't feel leathery as she thought it would. Instead it felt like tiny feathers were etched all over the wings and they felt as soft as silk.

Kuronue barely held back the groan of want at her dainty touch. She had no idea how good that felt, how weak in the knees it made him. His wings were his only weakness. They were very sensitive to touch and only Yoko knew this.

Kagome giggled in pure delight as Kuronue turned fully around, stifling the urge to purr like a cat. Her hand put a bit more pressure on his wings as she began stroking as much as she could get her fingers on. They opened even more under her insistent fingers and she smoothed her palms over every angle and curve she could find, all the while putting Kuronue further and further under her spell. Oh, kami, Kuronue groaned inwardly. Kagome had no idea what she was doing to him.

That's when Kagome noticed the strange high pitched whines emanating from Kuronue's mouth. His whole body was practically vibrating under her touch and she withdrew her hands wondering if she'd hurt him some how. She went to apologize when he spun around and caught her against his chest, trapping her there with his cheek pressed against her soft hair, arms holding her tightly to him. Her arms were crushed up against his chest and her eyes went wide as she heard the tell tale beat of his heart, felt the rapid movements in his chest as he fought to breathe. She looked up into his eyes and opened her mouth in a silent gasp. His eyes were closed tightly but she could see them moving rapidly beneath his eye lids. He was panting into her hair as his hands slid down and around her waist, anchoring her tightly to his hot body.

Kagome didn't know what to think. She didn't know how to react as her body began responding to his own. Her pulse sped up and mirrored his own as his eyes opened and bore heavily into her own husky orbs. They were clouded with passion and it was a look Kagome recognized only in Inuyasha's eyes whenever he was thinking about Kikyo. What did this mean? She was so confused. She hadn't ever before felt anything like this. Her body was practically singing in tune with his. She felt like she was on a major high as the adrenaline raced through her veins.

She noticed his head moving closer and closer and she tried to protest, though her heart wasn't in it. Her body demanded his touch and her lips were dry as they awaited his kiss even more. "Kuronue," she whispered, though it came out as more of a husky gasp.

She barely had time to breathe before his mouth dove and slanted down against her own, capturing her in the most soul shattering kiss of her life. Before she even knew what hit her, her own arms had come up to wrap around his neck, while his hands lowered and embraced her around her hips. She had to stand on tip toes just to reach him but he effortlessly picked her up in his arms causing her legs to wrap around his waist, all the while kissing the life out of her.

Kuronue couldn't get enough of her as he pushed his tongue insistently against the tight seal of her mouth. It didn't take much coaxing for she opened for him almost immediately. His tongue dove in and did what a thief did, stole her breath away, leaving her absolutely breathless. Timidly, her tongue came out to greet his and Kuronue moaned deep in his throat at the delicious taste of the young miko in his arms. She was sweeter than any honey and tasted better than any wine. Her body was straining deliciously against his own and he had to force down his instincts not to take her and make her his forever, not that he didn't want to.

Oh, he wanted to all right. It just wasn't the time or the place. And there were other extenuating circumstances as well, such as Yoko, who appeared to have some interest in her as well. And there was also the fact that Kagome had a son and that her brother was the Lord of the West and that there just happened to be a homicidal hanyou out to kill her for a jewel she never wished for in the first place. "Kuronue," she moaned against his mouth and he lifted his head just enough to place his mouth along the bridge of her neck, burying his face in her sweet-scented hair and rubbing his nose along the soft skin. His arms continued to hold her impossibly close to his body as he kissed her neck gently and tried to calm down. He could feel his fangs itching to extend so he could bite into that pliant neck of hers and feed off her blood. Yes, Kuronue was a vampire bat demon, though he rarely had to suck any blood and he certainly never drained anyone of all their blood. It was simply impossible. That was all myth and the only time he actually took blood was when he was with a female. Most of the time he could eat normal food and he didn't have to hide during day hours. He was a demon, not the living dead.

And still, his instincts to bite into her, to fill his mouth with her life's blood, to make her his forever continued to beat heavily against his skull, so much so that he finally had to tear away from her. He pulled away from her with such force that Kagome almost lost her balance. She was grateful Kuronue had enough sense of mind to grab her arms and keep her in place as he calmed his own hormones.

Kagome at first was confused when he stopped kissing her. She opened her eyes, wondering if he regretted it, but there was something else within his flashing eyes. He looked at her as if he wanted to consume her and it frightened her a bit. Here was such a powerful demon, obviously fighting his instincts to claim her. She calmed considerable and extenuated her aura a bit, calmly wrapping her arms around him in a gentling hug. He needed to feel calm and reassurance so his demon would quit fighting. Finally he sighed and all but collapsed into her arms.

"I'm sorry," he finally spoke, lifting her head so he could look her in the eye. "Are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I?"

She shook her head and gulped, wondering whether she should be thankful he stopped or disappointed. But he looked so remorseful as if he'd done something wrong. "No, no you didn't hurt me," she reassured him. "But why did you-" The question lay unasked and Kuronue couldn't help but smile inwardly at her adorable pouting lips.

He chuckled a bit, relieved she wasn't angry with him for almost losing control. "Yes?" He drawled. "Were you wondering why I kissed you or why I stopped?" He grinned at her slyly and laughed even more when she blushed and tried to cover her steaming face.

"It wasn't that good," she grumbled a bit, clearly in denial. Then she smiled. "So why did you kiss me anyway?"

"Because I wanted to," he answered her after a few moments. Kagome realized he was totally serious and inwardly began to wonder why. Why would such a powerful and well known demon want to kiss her? He was very handsome and he could have any female he wanted without question. So why her? There was nothing outwardly special about her. Was it just a spur of the moment thing? Did he have feelings for her or did he do this with all the females? "Kagome," he spoke her name bringing her out of the haze of questions. "I kissed you because I wanted to," he reiterated, noticing the doubt and self pity beginning to leak into her midnight blues. "Not simply because I'm trying to trick you or get you into bed, although that does sound like a plan for later." Kagome smacked him playfully in the arm, though her heart felt a bit lighter.

"So, would you like to walk back with me, my lady?" He asked, bowing to her. "It's getting late and I'm starving. I'm sure Shippo and Yoko are too."

"Oh, so what am I your slave now?" Kagome joked.

She was surprised when he put his arm around her and leaned in close to whisper in her delicate ear. "Love slave, maybe," he teased before nipping at the lobe and pulling away. The kumouri released her and darted away just as Kagome's mind processed what he'd just said.

"Kuronue!" She growled and took off after the laughing demon. "I'm going to kill you! Get back here!"

All throughout the village, the people of Edo heard the soft laughter of their protector. Some sighed, thinking it was about time their miko moved on. Others, mostly the females, sighed over how lucky the miko was to have find such handsome companions. Inuyasha had been the rough bad boy all the younger girls crushed on, while Miroku had been just as admired for his good looks and charm. And of course Sesshomaru was very handsome even though they feared him so. And now it looked like their miko had attracted a very beautiful kitsune and a strange and exiting kumouri demon. All agreed on one thing, though. It was good to hear her laughing again. Hopefully things would start looking up for the normally quiet and reserved miko. Everyone knew their protector deserved it. After all she'd given up much for the happiness of this village. Wasn't it time that Kagome found hers as well?

So, how was that guys? You finally got to see a bit of Kuronue/Kagome action and it was actually tasteful. It was really fun to write. I love Kuronue (since he is my mate and all) and Kagome, they look so good together. You also got a few insights into why Kagome is the way she is. As for the next chapter, it is set a week after this and Yoko and Kuronue are still hanging around. However Kuronue disappears at one point, and neither Kagome nor Yoko know where he goes. I guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out what's up with Kuronue and whether Yoko will get some action as well.

Thank you all for sticking with me even though you had to wait so long.

Ja ne.

Kura