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Something Akin to Fear

Chapter Two

A Different Kind of Persuasion

The fire weaves magically in the air, snapping and popping occasionally to break the mystical illusion of its own spell. Then, as the yellows and greens and reds dance some more, one feels the need to move into it and join its dance with a spirited vigor. It is a trance that very few fall into as they listen to the music of nature which begs them to join the fire in its tango as well. Kagome stands slowly from her spot on the ground, having difficulties as she does so due to her hands tied behind her back, and step by hesitant step she moves towards the untamed beauty.

Two black hooded figures stand on either side of the small encampment and even though their faces are shrouded from sight, the interest they radiate is strong. Two sets of glowing red eyes, hungry in their observation of the young maiden, pierce through even the fires' beauty. Kagome continues to inch towards the fire, the heat beginning to register on her skin, but not in a painful manner. It actually causes her to shiver in anticipation of being in the middle of the flames. As she gets within an inch of the flames, her left foot rising to step into the fire, she suddenly is jerked back to fall to her hind end, bewilderment written plainly on her face.

She sits there for what seems like an eternity before her bewilderment turns to anger as she realizes where she is, and why.

Stupid jerks… She huffs from her spot on the ground and shifts, the ropes binding her wrists cutting into her sensitive flesh. Vaguely she realizes that her anger has seeped away and that she should be more worried, even scared, but she is not. That realization does not even bother her. She also realizes that she probably is being affected by the men in some way… but she does not even fight it.

Am I drugged? Tilting her head to the side she watches as the two hoods… her nickname for them now… sit back down and she huffs, rolling her eyes now. What has she been thinking about while she was staring at the fire? She can't remember.

Looking around she notices how close she is to the fire and that she is in a totally different spot than before. Horrified that she finds this amusing, she shifts once more, her heart skipping a beat as a gruff, obviously male voice echoes in her head bemusedly. You are a fire dancer? Her brows furrow in confusion and she frantically…and yet still in a calm way… glances to the two hoods…who are not even looking at her.

Pushing herself to her knees she narrows her eyes and clenches her teeth, glaring between the two hoods. Get out of my head! She thinks the thought quite forcefully and she watches, proudly, as the hood on the left flinches just barely, face hidden beneath the shadows of the hood but looking at her none the less.

You did not answer my question. The voice in her head growls out in an animalistic way and she finds herself shrinking away from the looming figure. I don't know what you are talking about. Her voice waivers even in her mind, the small shake of fear undeniable.

The hooded head tilts to the side and Kagome feels a wave of amusement sliding through her body. It is so strong she finds herself giving a small smile to the figure. She quickly forces it away when she realizes she is doing it and she narrows her eyes again but she just cannot make herself mad or upset or even annoyed. Just calm…

Do you not? The man, or whatever he is, does not even allow her to answer before he turns to the fire and adds a log, sparks of flame glowing and drifting into the cool night air.

Shyly she focuses on the hood, her thoughts softening so that maybe they will not make him flinch like before. Where are you taking me? There is a complete freeze of all motion and Kagome notices that the other hood has turned to look at her as well.

A new voice invades her mind, thick in accent and most definitely not Japanese. Perhaps…. British? But, his Japanese is still near perfect. You opened a mind link. It seems accusing and slightly hostile. She struggles to her feet, between the two now approaching men, and begins to back away. No fear, just calm.

What are you talking about? Neither of you will answer my questions! They continue to descend on her and she finds her back pressed up against tree bark, her skin flaring up in pain and discomfort. One of the hoods reaches out quickly and a pale hand rests on her shoulder, clenching into her muscle.

She whimpers, his grip cutting into her body, and her eyes squeeze shut tightly. Faintly she hears mumbles from the two men, a welcome break from them chattering in her mind. They seem to be talking in an odd language, however, one that she has never heard spoken even in her own time. A mysterious language. How quaint. I bet there are thousands of hoods running around, speaking this made up language to each other like little middle school children playing a game.

She has no idea where her sudden dry humor comes from, but she welcomes it, glad to have any sort of companion in this crazy scenario. The mumblings cease and when she opens her eyes, she nearly wishes she hadn't. There, not inches from her own pair of chocolaty brown eyes, are glowing red ones with tiny slitted pupils that look like onyx carved stone. She gasps, but it is cut off by a rather violent kiss.

Firm lips lock over her own, stealing her breath as a smooth tongue forces its way between her plush lips. Her eyes slide shut once more. If she had her hands, she would have pushed him away from her. She really would have. Even despite the fact that there is a warming sensation in the lower regions of her stomach.

And, never mind the sudden burst of lust surging through her veins. Her mind reels and conjures up the fact that her body is being manipulated, but she does not care, surprisingly. Instead, she finds herself welcoming the brusque kiss with a vigor she did not know she possessed. A small moan is offered into her assailants mouth…. And he quickly pulls away, his glowing eyes still the only thing visible.

Kagome's eyes snap open as the hot, lustful feelings and needs flee her body, leaving her empty and confused. The hooded figure that had descended upon her lips with his own shifts uneasily and turns away, the other hood following his lead.

Wha? She allows her jaw to fall open in shock and more confusion… that is until one of the hoods lets out a low, guttural sound that vibrates in the clearing and then… there is silence… until a distant thundering is heard.

And, as Kagome becomes more and more aware of her surroundings, she notices that the ground quakes beneath her feet and the forest has become utterly lifeless.

As she opens her mouth to suggest that they run, three large demon horses come crashing through trees to their right, and Kagome instantly shies away from the magnificent creatures.

Their bodies are bulky… muscled and sleek with their glossy mahogany fur. Long black manes and tails fly about wildly as the creatures stamp their shiny black hooves into the ground, rising dust clouds. Their yellow green eyes roll insanely in their sockets, white blunt teeth flashing against the firelight.

One of the hoods walks up to the largest of the three demons and their eyes meet, silence being their greetings. They still seem to reach some kind of agreement, however, because soon the second hood is upon her, swinging her onto his shoulder to shortly after deposit her on the back of the smallest horse demons' back.

They both swing upon other mounts and, without a word, the demons take off, sweeping them to their destiny.