Chapter 35: Now Introducing…

To say that Kagome was speechless would be an accurate assessment. Her tongue felt like lead in her mouth and her throat refused to give her the opportunity to create a sound. Sure, she knew how he looked theoretically. He'd revealed himself in a dream to her. So she shouldn't of been as stunned as she was to see him in the flesh. Then again that last dream was a bit fuzzier than all of the others for whatever reason, and seeing his new form was almost entirely too overwhelming.

'Kami, he looks amazing…and so damn sexy…' She thought to herself. The dream version of him didn't do reality justice and she was getting all hot and bothered looking at him.

His lidded eyes told her he knew exactly what she was thinking and the smirk on his lips reminded her that he may look a little different, but he was still very much a smug little shit.

As much as her physical attraction was to him it didn't light a candle to how her heart was doing summersaults in her chest.

Before she knew what she was doing the priestess was already halfway across the clearing launching herself at the poor unsuspecting demon.

Naraku was mesmerized the moment that he laid his eyes upon the radiant beauty that stood before him. She somehow seemed to look so much sweeter than he remembered. So, so much more. It had to be on account of his newly elevated senses because she looked exactly the same but somehow it seemed like her magnificence was magnified and she was singularly the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Even greater was the purity and power that radiated from her. It was so light and pure that he wondered how she would ever even think to look his way.

The scent of her strength was so tantalizing…and what have we here? The sharp scent of her arousal began to bleed into her already intoxicating perfume.

'Naughty little priestess, already tempting me with her wiles…' he thought to himself with a smirk.

He was in such rapture with her presence in general that he didn't realize she was closing in on him before it was too late.

'Oh shit' was the last thought that ran through his mind as his arms were full with a flying Kagome. He thought to catch her, but it was more like she tackled him to the ground before he could make his attempt.

The only thing he could say was "omph" as she quite literally took his breath away.

"I missed you so much…" The young priestess said, her voice thick with emotion.

"I too, my love. To a degree that confounds me, and yet I never went so far as to assault you on sight." The hinotori youkai replied.

With a giggle and a light slap Kagome said, "You're such a smart-ass. I was just so happy to see you. It's not my fault that you don't know how to catch."

"I never knew it was a requirement my sweet. Fret not, I shall make sure to be weary of flying priestesses in the future." He said.

They laid there for a few more moments holding each other close and reveling in the presence of one another before he sat them both up and readjusted. He moved her to sit sideways on his lap and screened the area with his aura to ensure their privacy before he spoke.

"How do you fare?" He asked gently.

"I'm much better now. And you?" She replied.

Leaning his forehead onto hers Naraku closed his eyes and breathed her in.

"I feel free."

There was so much that was left unsaid but it didn't really matter. They would talk all about it later. They both just needed to be.

A peaceful silence washed over them, lulling them into a sense of serenity and hope. Finally there were together again and hopefully soon they would never have to be apart again. Words weren't needed as they simply basked in the love radiating off one another.

So content in their moment of togetherness they failed to notice a pair of amber eyes that stumbled upon them. His ears twitched atop of his head in agitation as he studied the pair for a little while before a deep sigh escaped his throat. Shaking his head he decided to wait a few more moments before making himself known.

Inuyasha had spent the whole day in the small room with Kikyo. She would wake up periodically and they would speak to one another for a while before exhaustion set in and she slept once more. They talked about their new unique circumstances and he smelt the thin veil of depression, anger, and envy begin to set in. For some reason it made him irrationally angry. He tried to stow it away but eventually he'd had enough of her self depreciation.

*Flashback*

Her deepening depression was tainting the sweetness of her natural scent and it was putting Inuyasha on edge.

Kikyo still refused to look at him when she talked and kept her focus on her hands. It was slowly grating on his restraint and eventually the former priestess used the final straw that broke the camels back.

"My life has always been so unfair. What did I do to deserve any of this? I was born a priestess and performed my duties. I stayed pure even though I was met with temptation. What did the Kami gift with then? Unjust death by a bitter Hanyo and a clumsy reincarnation that took all of my power with no ability to use it…"

And just like that he snapped.

"Don't say another fucking word, Kikyo. I love you, more than my own life I do, but you won't say a word about Kagome. I don't mind sitting here listening to you grieve over your losses but I'll be damned if you talk about her that way. Do you even understand what the fuck has actually happened? Kikyo, did it never occur to you that in your own lifetime you weren't the saint you thought yourself to be? You say you kept yourself pure? Really? How 'pure' was your love for me if you wanted me to be something that I wasn't? Humans and demons find love all the time. I mean, my old man fell for a human, and my mother sure as shit didn't ask him to be a human just so they could be together. You could have chose to have a normal life with me as your mate but you chose your title of Priestess over our happiness. You were too ashamed to tell anyone you'd fallen for a worthless half-breed. You wanted your status kept in high regards, for people to faun over you. You'd be an outcast if you chose me as I was.

"Kikyo, you weren't as perfect as you thought. Then when you came back you were filled with all of the bitterness and anger you had in life and the way you died made you into something you never were. Cruel. What I understand now is that you knew. You knew what the cost would be to stay here, and instead of doing the right thing by letting yourself go you chose to be selfish. I'd been able to forgive you so easily because I knew you weren't yourself then, only a broken piece of the Kikyo I knew and loved. Every time I forgave you. Even now, knowing that you've lied to me about so much, the truth you'd hidden from me, the horrible things you've done, and even those poor innocent souls who'll never be able to live again, I can forgive you.

"But no, as much as I love you I won't let you say a goddamned thing about her. Kagome never once gave a shit that I was a hanyo. She doesn't give a flying fuck about what anyone thinks about her, and she never once accepted being the center of attention. She has a heart made of pure fucking gold and I hate to tell you this but its the only reason why you're still alive. She is the only reason we even have a chance at all! Every piece of her brilliant soul is what brought salvation to the corruption that tainted yours! She is who gave you this chance at being alive again with a shot at heaven instead of hell. If you got what you really deserved you'd be dead already! Your reincarnation as you call her is what really saved you, and nothing else.

"For fucks sake Kikyo put the hate for her away because I won't accept it. Never. I love her too, as my best friend and as my family. So no more talking shit about her, do you understand me?"

*End Flashback*

And just like that the anger and jealousy melted into sadness and shame. She hung her head low and sullenly apologized before laying down on her bedroll. Still, Inuyasha climbed in beside her and pulled her back into his chest showing her that even though he was upset, again he'd forgiven her. And he always would. He continued to whisper words of forgiveness, love and comfort to her until her tears had dried up and she fell back into sleep.

When she'd woken up next her face seemed to be set in an expression of resignation and acceptance. Her scent was still sullen with depression but it was not as oppressive as before. It wasn't something likely to go away soon regardless. It did mean that she was mentally starting to get onto the right track. They'd talked some more about what they'd do when Naraku was finally defeated but after the whole day being cooped up in the little room he was starting to get antsy.

Thankfully Kikyo noticed his discomfort and offered him a graceful exit. She asked if he could call Kaede in so they could talk for a while in private and he was grateful she'd given him an out. Giving her a sweet kiss he left her side to grab her sister and get some fresh air.

Unfortunately for him the fresh air he had so hoped for was laced with the scents of a regal asshole and a flea infested wolf. The barrier around the room must have been really good if it kept their stink from his nose in there.

"Oi, Kaede, Kikyo wants to talk to ya." He said to the elderly priestess before turning to address the others. "The fuck you all doin' here?" He said gruffly.

"Now, now, Inuyasha." The level headed Miroku chimed in to hopefully defuse any tension created by his hostile friend. "They've come to share important information with us about Naraku."

Now that got his attention. Grunting in acceptance of their reasons for being there he looked around the room and realized that Kagome was no where in sight. Remembering the conversation he and the priestess had he strolled to the doorway. The hanyo peeked outside and noticed that it was sunset.

'She should be back soon, and probably with that skeezeball of hers in tow.' He thought to himself.

"Kagome should be here for this. She's due back any minute now so imma go get 'er." He said without looking at them and headed out of the hut.

Inuyasha took his time walking to the well, even made a detour to the Goshinboku as he sorted though all of his thoughts and feelings. When he reached the tree he hopped up the large gnarled roots and lay a hand over the smooth center of the trunk that once held up his sleeping form. His eyes lingered over the hole that was caused by a single arrow. Closing his eyes he leaned his forehead on to the smooth bark and took a deep breath.

'Maybe I shouldn't of yelled at Kikyo like that. I mean, she needed to hear it but was that really the best way to do it?. Then again she's just as hardheaded as me so she'd probably never see the truth if I didn't spell it out for her. If her own mate won't call her out on her bullshit who will? Fuck it sucks being like that to her. She did wake up better though so imma just count that as a shaky win.' He told himself.

Deciding that he'd took enough time the hanyo leapt into the trees and headed towards the bone eaters well. Had he been going any faster he would of missed the sweet little scene before him. Shocked eyes took in the entire picture and he somehow managed to swallow his growl of possessiveness over his best friend. Kagome was draped across the lap of presumably the demon she told him about before. He assessed their body language and their scents and found that the only thing he could pick out was happiness, hope, and love.

They looked like a pair of lovestruck puppies and it made him want to both smile and gag at their sappiness. He settled for a sigh of acceptance and counted to ten before breaking up the love-fest.

The sudden rustle of the leaves in the tree above them should of been an indicator of someones presence, but the couple chose to ignore it too comfortable in one another. When it happened a second time they still didn't seem to notice. It was only when a loud voice grumbled, "Oh for fucks sake…" was heard that they both leaped to their feet and saw who their audience was.

Kagome's eyes bulged from her head as she saw Inuyasha punched in the tree above them looking every bit as irritated as he felt. She mentally panicked because that meant this was it. It was time to do the official introduction and she was nervous as hell.

'Shit shit shit! I was supposed to introduce them to each other today but I seriously didn't plan for it to be this way! Way to go Kagome! Well I guess it's time to get this show on the road…damn it.' She said to herself.

Inuyasha jumped down and eyed the demon appraisingly with his arms crossed in front of himself.

"I-Inuyasha!" Kagome squeaked out. "I, uh, didn't see you there. I had thought we'd meet up with you on the way into the village."

"Ya woulda known if I was there had ya been payin' attention Kags." The hanyo replied with irritation.

"Well, hmm, anyways, Inuyasha, this is Kaen, who I've been telling you about and Kaen, this is Inuyasha, my best friend and leader of our group."

"Its a pleasure to meet you, Inuyasha." Kaen/Naraku said with bow.

Kagome saw the deep frown marring her best friends face and was desperately trying to calm her nerves.

"Fucking hell Kagome, this asshole even sounds like Naraku! I know you said he looks like him, and he really fucking does, but this is too damn weird." The hanyo said suspiciously.

"I understand your concerns, as it is precisely why I've preferred to stay in the shadows. I do have an explanation for this however."

"So spill, then birdie."

"Inuyasha stop being an ass!" Kagome shouted.

"It's fine, love. I don't mind. The hanyo Naraku in his base form is essentially a body thief. He tried to swallow me whole, but I was able to break free of his machinations. He simply wears a facade that is not his own. My form was very desirable and he used it to his advantage."

It wasn't a lie really, his old self really did try to destroy the new person he was becoming and he managed to escape from that.

"If that's true then how did he assume the role as the young lord who contracted my comrades slayers? The staff would have known what their masters son looked like and wouldn't of been able to fool them."

"You underestimate the trickery of Naraku. The young lord went missing in battle years prior, and Naraku killed the servants closest to the lord after he'd become sick. So it took almost no effort to assume the role of the returning son."

Inuyasha walked across the clearing and stood before the demon known as Kaen and took a discreet sniff of his scent. There was no miasma. No lies.

"You seem ta know a whole lot about that. How do ya know something that only Naraku would know?" The hanyo asked still suspicious.

"I know because it's not everyday that someone steals your face and uses it to plot the death of others. I was there in the shadows when he made his plans, and have been watching him closely. So close that it almost destroyed me. Had it not been for Kagome, I'd be a dead demon several times over."

"How'd ya first meet Kagome?"

"She was being spied on by Naraku. She didn't notice me tailing her, and neither did you. Thats when I first noticed the enormity of her soul." He answered looking fondly at Kagome with a smirk. "The first time I truly got to speak to her was when she was taken captive for the first time. She was a spitfire and it really intrigued me. Of course I was being held captive by him also, so we didn't get to really know one another at that point."

"How'd you get away from him?"

Raising a brow at the inquisitive hanyo Kaen/Naraku replied,"Do you not realize the destruction you leave in your wake Inuyasha? You obviously never realized this but your chaos gave all prisoners a chance to get away. I'm sure it was truly a vexing thing for Naraku."

Lying with the truth was becoming a fun little game for the newly turned demon. Unfortunately his amusement was only serving to irritate the inu-hanyo.

"What the fuck's got you smiling like an idiot?"

"It is simply a novelty being the subject of a such pleasant interrogation."

"A bit of a wise ass, aren't ya."

"Naturally. There is only so much one can do for personal entertainment."

"You can train your ass off, then train some more."

"If that is what constitutes as personal entertainment for you I certainly feel sorry for your mate. I can think of other better things to thrust myself into. Perhaps it can even be considered a form of endurance training."

Oh this guy was a real piece of work. A smart mouth and a pervert. Looking at Kagome Inuyasha realized she was redder then a tomato and likely trying not to laugh.

Staring up into the eyes of the hinotori youkai Inuyasha realized that he was just about as tall as Sesshomaru, but definitely not nearly as powerful though his was strong in his own right. It was a pain in the ass to have to accept that he always compared opponents to his older brother, but it was how he knew if he could possibly take them in a fight. He may be growing in power ridiculously fast, but knew in an all out fight his brother would whip his ass till his fathers spirit came to collect him and take him into the afterlife.

"Why Kagome? What do ya even know about her? What makes you think you're worthy of her?"

Naraku/Kaen looked over at Kagome once more before answering.

"I have lived for a long time, and seen many dark things. The souls of humans tend to be darker than those of us demons. You should understand this better than most being born a hanyo. I truly meant what I said when I told you that Kagome saved me. Every time I saw her, I almost had to look away. She is as beautiful as she is pure, and what right does the darkness have to yearn for light. Encounter after encounter I began to see more of who she was than most of those in her own pack.

"She became the pseudo-mother to the orphaned fox which showed the depth of her heart, the sister to a broken slayer which showcased her empathy, the confidant of the cursed monk that showed her trustworthiness, and she befriended to you, a heartbroken hanyo, which showed the depths of her compassion. Loyalty towards those she called friends and the backbone to shoulder all of their burdens with a smile and an encouraging word. Never have I seen a soul as pure as newly fallen snow.

"Even I, whom when I met her was filled to the brim with darkness, found favor in her eyes. She showed me what life could be, what I now know I've been searching for since my beginning. Her laugh, her smile, they've burned into my mind and will never leave me. I will never be worthy of Kagome, Inuyasha, but neither would anyone else be."

Inuyasha could smell the tears in Kagome's eyes, and the resounding truth in this demon's words. He truly did love Kagome. More than she probably even realized. There was just one more question he needed to ask.

"What are your intentions towards Kagome?"

Looking into the eyes of her overprotective pack leader Naraku/Kaen said,"I plan to make her my mate. Then marry her according to her human customs. She shall want for nothing, and be free to make her own choices. Unless they're not the wisest ones, as we both know she's prone to harebrained ideas every once in a while."

That earned a snort from Inuyasha and an indignant gasp from Kagome. Rubbing a hand over his face the inu-hanyo was suddenly drained. There was nothing more really left to say except…

"If you ever hurt her, dishonor her, or even think about betraying her I will kill you. Nothing in this work will keep you safe and no one will be able to stop me."

"If I ever do any of those things, I will let you."

Groaning, Inuyasha walked over to Kagome and gave her a hug and a kiss on the temple.

"Your boyfriend is going to be a pain in my ass. I'll meet you back at Kaede's. Everyones there, even the bastard and flea-brain."

Looking back over at Naraku/Kaen he continued, "And I hope you're good with those weapons. We're a fighting group, and need ta know your skills. I'm lookin' forward to a good little spar, an' I bet by the end of the night so will the others."

This is it, the beginning of the end!

MindlessMina