Fingertips

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

Stressed

A gentle caress passed over her skin like a soft breeze. Her eyes remained closed as she moved into the caress. Sharp nails passed lightly over her face and she let a smile show. The nails outlined her lips as she let a sigh of contentment out. The fingertips brushed over her forehead and she softly giggled at the feeling. Her eyes opened and she met the amber gaze with her own loving gaze. Emotions flooded her as she let herself get carried away. His face inched closer and she closed her eyes again. A brush of lips tentatively touched her lips. The lips carefully covered her own as the fingertips moved from her shoulders and to her hips.

He softly breathed through his nose and she inhaled the sweet smell of his air. She could live with forever the wonderful scent of him. They pulled apart and she rested her head against the rough fur of his kimono. His silver hair brushed against her face and he rested his head against her crown. Her eye rested on the soft scenery of the flower field as he stared down at her.

"I'm not being to foreword am I?" He softly asked.

"No," she answered, "your fine Inuyasha."

"Kagome, I'll always protect you," Inuyasha promised.

"I'll protect you too," Kagome promised. Inuyasha scoffed and ran his fingers through her hair.

"From what…your grandfather's ofudas?" Inuyasha teased.

"No, from myself," Kagome seriously said.

"Yourself?" Inuyasha questioned in confusion.

"I'll never hurt you…ever," Kagome softly promised.

"And I would never hurt you…even if you hurt me," Inuyasha promised as it began to rain.

Kagome sighed as rolled over and snuggled into her pillow. Her eyes slowly opened and she noticed that everything was a bit blurry. She let her gaze travel across the room and her eyes widened. Red hair fell over the man's face as he leaned against the wall. His head was down and the sun was beginning to illuminate his figure. Kagome pushed herself up and noticed there she wore a bra and bandages on her. She glanced at the mirror on the wall and grimaced at her appearance. Her hand traveled to her stomach and relief flooded her she found no gaping hole. Pushing herself to her feet, she grabbed a shirt and stretch pants. Her leg was still sore from the bruise and she had no choice but to limp. She managed to find a bra and some underwear. Garments in hand she limped to the bathroom. She shut and locked the door before she ran the water.

Watching the water run she was reminded of the first time she saw Kouga's den. The beautiful waterfall, the wolves that happily greeted her reminded her that someone cared. After her battle with Kouga, a few memories returned to her. She turned the water off and removed her remaining clothes and bandages. The mirror showed her the scarred body that she inhabited. The burn mark on her back brought back the reminder of her first punishment and taint upon her soul. She looked away and slid into the water.

The water turned pink as she washed her hair of the crusted blood. She grabbed the sponge from the rack and began to scrub her skin clean. The miasma still was in her system and she wanted it out of her. Scrubbing her skin pink made her feel as if the taint would leave her body. She felt awful knowing that was inside her and still crippling her form. Sighing she relaxed and listened to the steady drip of the water.

Drip, Drip, Drip

The relaxing sound brought her to another time, a time that should have never been. She remembered the drip of the water as Kohaku washed her back clean of blood. The gentle cleaning felt like torture. As he squeezed the rag out the water dripped back into the bowel, each time it turned a darker shade of pink.

"Let this remind you that you are mine," Naraku said as he approached her.

Kagome's face was turned sideways so she couldn't see much. The sight of the brander made into her vision line. The shape glowed a menacing white as he came closer. Kagome whimpered and struggled against the ropes that held her. The last time she struggled was the time that she released her scream. A hiss erupted and the smell of burnt flesh made it to her nose. Her mouth filled with blood as she bit her tongue. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pressed herself to the wall in an attempt to escape the brander.

"Relax…pain is beautiful," Naraku whispered as he pulled the brander away.

He released the straps and she fell to the ground. She screamed and closed her eyes in an attempt to escape the pain. The pain began to numb and then she screamed again. Naraku pressed his hand to the burn and held her in place. Kagome whimpered and remained. Her body wouldn't fight back anymore.

"My blood is upon you now. You are mine to control; you are like a daughter to me now. Your body will accept the blood and you will be one of my children. A beautifully tainted Miko," Naraku explained with a menacing grin.

"Kagome?" Suiichi questioned as he knocked on the door. Kagome jumped and wildly looked around the room. She wasn't back in that room anymore. Her nerves calmed her and she let the water drain.

"I'll be out in a minute," Kagome called to him.

Footsteps walked away from the door and she smiled. Drying off quickly she got dressed and brushed her hair. She figured it was time to tell Suiichi something. He was being patient, but she didn't know if she could trust him. If he went to Koenma, she would surely be punished. She was tainted and would be dealt with as a criminal. Turning the door handle she walked out of the room and softly inhaled the air. The smell of roses drifted to her and she knew Suiichi was in the front room. Nervousness made her stomach flip and she growled. She had been feeling to many human emotions lately.

He looked up at her from the couch and she offered an awkward smile. Suiichi offered another kind smile that made her feel awful. Kagome took a seat on the small chair that was in the corner off the room. It was a couple feet away from the couch giving her a false sense of security.

"How are you wounds?" Suiichi asked as the worry entered his eyes again.

"They're fine, thank you," Kagome thanked.

"You would of done the same," Suiichi supplied.

"I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble," Kagome apologized.

"There was no trouble, I offered to help you," Suiichi seriously said.

"I know you offered help…but I'm not the type of person you want to help," Kagome tiredly said.

"Please explain," Suiichi calmly said.

"I can't," Kagome growled in frustration.

"You don't have to explain if you don't want to…I won't force you," Suiichi softly assured.

"Stop being so nice!" Kagome yelled at him. "It would be so much easier if you left me alone!"

"I like challenges," Suiichi's joke sounded serious.

"I'm dangerous! You should be trying to kill me!" Kagome shouted as she stood up and paced the room.

"I wouldn't hurt you or kill you," Suiichi truthfully spoke.

"This is wrong…you shouldn't have helped me. I should have died and then everything would have been better. The world would have been safe and I…I wouldn't have to deal," Kagome ranted as she stopped and looked at the floor in defeat.

"Did you do that damage to yourself?" Suiichi asked in a bit of anger.

"NO! I was punished!" Kagome shouted. She was offended.

"Punished…by who?" Suiichi questioned.

Kagome sighed began to walk to her bedroom. She had to leave and save everyone the pain. She wouldn't let anyone be hurt because of her. Suiichi's footsteps echoed after hers as she began to gather her items. Suiichi rested a hand on her shoulder and she stopped packing for a moment.

"Please…let me help you," Suiichi softly asked.

"It's to late to help me," Kagome whispered to him.

"Then will you run away?" Suiichi asked.

"I shall always run," Kagome sorrowfully said.

"I have friends that could help you," Suiichi offered.

"I know about Rekai, Makai, and you being a spirit detective," Kagome explained. She hoped that she would frighten him away.

"Then why not come to us for help?" Suiichi questioned.

Kagome growled in anger and pulled her shirt off. She could see his cheeks tint pink and she turned around so he could see the burn.

"This is why you must not get involved!" Kagome growled.

She felt his fingertips brush against the burn. Kagome froze as the burn slightly shifted under each touch. He laid his hand against it and she frowned. It was supposed to scare him and make him run.

"Everyone has scars…I'll help you heal," Suiichi whispered in her ear.

"No, I would kill you…maybe not today, but eventually your blood would coat my hands," Kagome despondently whispered.

"I would still help you. I would never hurt you…even if you hurt me," Suiichi claimed as he handed her the shirt.

Kagome pulled the shirt on and turned around. His fingers gently tilted her face up to his. He offered her a smile, this time it was different. Kagome felt her blood heat and she hugged him. His arms wrapped around her and she revealed in the comfort that was offered, a comfort that was denied all those centuries alone.

"I'll accept your help if you promise me something," Kagome whispered.

"What?" Suiichi asked.

"If I lose control I want you to stop me no matter what," Kagome pleaded.

'Is she asking me to…'

"I want you to kill me if you have to," Kagome finished.

"I…"

"Promise me this!" Kagome begged.

"I will…even though it won't come to that," Suiichi promised.

Kagome hugged him and softly smiled. She hoped that he would keep that promise. The word of a Kitsune was always kept. Kagome stared out the window and watched as it began to rain. Her eyes closed as she listened to the steady dripping. This time she would break away from Naraku and remember whom she was. She didn't want to be a puppet. She would also free Kohaku from Naraku. If it was through death then so be it. She wouldn't be afraid of fate anymore.

Author's Note:
I think I did add Sesshoumaru in this fic...somewhere.(runs from angry reviewers)
Sesshoumaru is mentioned in the tenth chapter and will make an appearance.
I'm working on another fic called Embracing Darkness, and I don't know who I want to pair Kagome with, I was thinking maybe Sesshoumaru since I tend to ignore him. The fic is about what would happen if Naraku absorbed Kagome.
Please review and tell me what you thought of this chapter. Does it seem like Suiichi's to understanding? I was wondering if I should make him a bit more untrusting, because I mean he doesn't fully trust her...but I don't know.