Notes:

A HUGE thanks to BETA readers Ember Reverie, ruddcatha, and KarinaInuPhantom! I am so lucky to have your amazing feedback!

And thanks so much to all the readers who have gotten this far, I am so grateful!

Hope you enjoy this long chapter!

Note : I have changed the story from a weekly update to a monthly update, although I will try to update bi-monthly. I had a lot of chapters written to start but have caught up so need more time to publish new chapters. :)

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Chapter 7:
(Vitamin String Quartet – Toxicity)

Kagome muscles ached as her footsteps resounded over and over on the wooden floor, her eyes transfixed on the fireplace. That bastard of a duke had shown her to her room three hours ago and left without a word. No matter, she didn't need him.

The white nightdress lay awaiting her across the table. If only she'd been able to take off her dress hours ago. Straining once again, she reached her hands behind her back, her nails barely brushing against the next button of the dress until her biceps burned.

You are not useless, your mama raised you to be better than this. Just a little further.

She arched her back for more leverage. "Ugh!" An exasperated sigh swept through her lips as the button barely shifted. Her arms plopped back to her sides. How quickly her life had turned on its head.

And her mama – Kagome hoped she was alright.

Time was running out as the firewood turned to ash. Her eyes darted back to the embers, squinting to adjust. An unknown force began squeezing her chest too tightly, causing her to forget to breathe. She had to do something, anything before the panic set in.

Don't give up so easily.

I could get more wood downstairs. No, what if those lecherous men are still there? I could wake the duke -

He's the reason I'm in this mess.

She wrapped her arms around herself, her skin growing colder. Her lungs ached as only embers remained on the fire, her throat constricting as the room continued to shrink.

Pull it together, Kagome.

The room dwindled as the darkness prowled forward, a legion of inky shadows that sought to devour her.

Inuyasha leaned against the door, his hands over his sensitive ears. He had insisted upon the two of them having separate chambers, providing her distance to believe she was safe. So why the hell wasn't she sleeping?

He felt fully rested; he was a demon after all. He merely planned to unwind until dawn, but the noxious scent of fear that seeped through the crack under the door like a miasma made that impossible.

If he was being completely honest - he needed a break from her alluring scent - but this change was not an improvement.

Inuyasha reached for the doorknob, then stopped, letting her fingers fall to his side. If I go check on her now, I'll only frighten her further. Better just to leave her, she's had a rough day.

He leaned his head back against the door frame.

It was going to be a long night.

Kagome stumbled forward, catching herself on the mahogany column in the center of the room. Her eyes pinched shut as her mind exploded with unwelcome thoughts. Running through a strange garden. Naraku chasing her. Grabbing her and slamming her to the ground, knocking her unconscious.

Was he only outside? What if he breaks in during the night? I won't be able to see. I won't be ready to protect myself. She couldn't inhale as a tear spilled down her cheek.

She slumped to the ground and drew her knees to her chest, trying to ignore the sensation of hundreds of spider legs scampering across her skin.

It will be alright. It's okay. It's okay. It's -

All she could manage was a whimper as the room went dark.

"Kagome, what-" Soft light pierced the darkness as the door crashed open.

Inuyasha prepared himself for a fight, but she was alone in the middle of the chamber, trembling, still dressed in her gown.

He scanned everything from the unmade bed to her nightgown lying on the table, frowning. "Are you hurt?"

Too loud. Kagome enveloped her head between her arms, making her entire body smaller.

The glow coming from the fireplace across the hall allowed her to take a ragged breath, her entire body convulsing as she exhaled.

"Kagome, are you hurt?"

Answer him so he will stop being so loud.

But her mouth couldn't form words.

She shook her head, recognizing that the light had not come from the doorway, but from her own hands. Her power no longer appeared in orb form, but tendrils that moved around her like angry vines of light. And her powers were – black.

Inuyasha took a tentative step closer, cursing himself for not realizing she couldn't take off her own clothes. He glanced again at her nightgown, still lying where the maid had left it, sensing that wasn't the only thing amiss with her. She could not tear her eyes from the embers. The smell of abandoned homes and stagnant water overcame the scent of her fear.

She's lonely. But wouldn't she want to be alone?

"Can you walk?" He took another step closer, but jumped back as a tendril lashed out at him like a whip.

"I'll call the servants to rekindle your fire and assist you with your gown. But you need to calm down."

She hunkered further down, squeezing her eyes shut so hard orbs of light flickered in her vision.

Go away. Just please go away.

He moved into her direct line of sight, kneeling before her, wincing as a tendril wrapped around his wrist. "Kagome."

Her eyes slowly opened at the soft sound of his voice.

"Yes, your grace?" She tried letting the warmth of her power flow back into her, but the tendrils were frigid and icy.

Inuyasha grimaced as the burning pain radiated up his arm. Her power was evolving somehow, and he needed to figure it out, and quickly.

Emitting something akin to a demonic aura, her scent was not her own. Still, she was unmistakably human.

Naraku's poison. It's tainting her.

Her question went unanswered as Inuyasha reached out to touch her face. Her magic receded, plunging them into blackness. It became rapidly apparent to Inuyasha why he had smelled so much fear as her scent crashed over him; she was afraid of the dark.

And the poison had amplified it.

"Kagome," his voice was calm, level. "Take my hand and I'll lead you to my chamber."

She sat rooted to the spot, unmoving. Her body had forgotten how to breathe. "I desire to go to bed, your grace."

"Just hold my hand."

"Stop telling me what to do!"

Her heart lurched as he rose and stormed out the room. She was alone - again. Every sound amplified – Inuyasha angrily running down the stairs, an owl that was hooting outside her window, the breeze that was howling as it rounded the corner of the inn.

Kagome flinched as Inuyasha stomped past her minutes later, tossing logs onto the fire.

"Put that over there," he commanded a servant bearing a substantial wooden tub.

"Of course, your grace. The kitchen is warming the water and it will be up shortly."

Kagome scoffed, even in the midst of the night everyone was pleased to do as the duke requested.

"And I require more firewood, sufficient to sustain this fire until morning."

Inuyasha leaned against the far wall, absentmindedly drumming his fingers against it. He studied Kagome in the firelight as her muscles relaxed ever so slightly. It seemed she had no notion of the surrounding attendants, losing herself in the flames. As the servants withdrew, Inuyasha slowly moved to sit beside her, trying not to startle her.

His eyes alternated between Kagome and the fire. "Why are you so frightened of the dark?"

When she clenched her eyes shut, Inuyasha expected she wouldn't acknowledge him. He didn't know if she could answer him - how much of her mind was her own?

"My father always argued with my mama when it was dark, after he thought Sota and I had gone to bed." Kagome opened her eyes as she wiped a stubborn tear that slipped down her cheek. "Sometimes he would strike her. She would attempt to hide her tears. Some nights she would succeed, other times...the fires would keep some of my nightmares at bay."

Upon the admission, Kagome broke the surface after what felt like a lifetime of drowning underwater. Her lips parted as the weight lifted from her, the soothing night air filling her lungs.

"You require rest." Inuyasha stood, realizing while her father was destroying his life, he was also ruining hers, as well as her mother's. "I'll call a maid to assist you."

Kagome gritted her teeth, she'd had enough of strangers.

"I will manage, your grace." She rose, swaying on her feet; he was less daunting when he wasn't towering over her.

He moved to stand behind her, "You can't remain in this all night, you won't be able to breathe and I dare say you won't sleep either. If you won't let me call a maid..."

Her breath caught as he tugged at the buttons on the remainder of her dress. Gods, why is she so stubborn? I tried to be patient, but apparently that won't even get through to her. Kagome went to put distance between them, but his large hands started on her corset, wrenching the laces loose with vigor, jerking her slightly backwards with each tug, his mannerisms nothing like the gentle ones of her maids. Kagome spread her feet to keep her balance and clutched the bodice of her gown so it didn't fall, her knuckles turning white.

This was not how Kagome had imagined her first time being undressed by a man to go, and yet, the warmth flooding through her body was not from the fire.

"I will not hurt you. I know I did once, but you are under my protection now. A charge I take with the utmost seriousness."

Inuyasha immediately regretted permitting himself to relax as their scents intermingled : an intoxicating mixture of her vanilla and his cedarwood and sage. He leaned forward, allowing the scent to envelop him, becoming acutely aware of each and every heartbeat. Not only his, but hers as well.

And her heartbeat had calmed.

The movements on her corset slowed and Kagome could feel each lace as it slipped across her back and through the hole as the coolness caressed her spine. Every movement, every thought suddenly registered in her mind with clarity. Why had she been so angry?

She dared not move, mostly because she didn't wish to further anger him. She felt she had a better chance of focusing when staring at the wall and not into the duke's mesmerizing eyes.

I wonder what he's thinking.

No doubt he had been with many women before - was she different, or more of the same? Would he ever had noticed her had it not been for her last name?

Who was the real Inuyasha?

Mind over matter, Kagome. He doesn't love you. He showed you that this morning. You are not some silly hussy.

This is not love. It's lust – the antithesis of love. But why does it feel so good when it's so wrong?

Her breath caught as Inuyasha ran his rough fingertips unexpectedly over the deep red lines across her shoulder blades. "Keh, why do you humans wear such torture devices?" His warm voice slid across the nape of her neck, awakening every nerve in her body.

He continued until her whole back was bared to him, resisting the urge to nuzzle his nose into her hair and lose himself in her scent – a scent that had turned enticingly spicy. "There." He clenched his fists so he wouldn't trace his fingers along the tempting curve of her waist. "A bath will help you sleep."

Spinning as the duke stepped back, Kagome endeavored to remember why she hated him in a moment of weakness. She studied him, clad in his white undershirt and trousers. "Your grace."

Inuyasha struggled not to grimace at the title, trying to figure out if her words were a statement or a question. "You may call me by my name when we are alone, ya know. You don't have to continue the act."

She needed sleep. She didn't really desire him. Her mind was presently unstable at best. But at least it was becoming her own again. "Thank you for your assistance, your grace. I can handle it from here."

Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something cocky at her icy demeanor, then changed his mind. He turned to leave, but her spike of fear stopped him in his tracks. Does she actually want me to stay? But that can't be right. Her lithe hands gripped the lopsided material of the heavy dress, her breasts pushing slowly above the fabric with each breath. Then he remembered that last night she was almost raped, and only this morning her father had practically disowned her, now she was away from everything she'd ever known, alone...

And if he asked her if she wanted him to stay, she would decline. Her pride was grating on his nerves and getting under his skin like nothing else, but he had given her no reason to trust him.

He walked to the fireplace, lying down on the rug with his back to her. "I'll just sleep by the fire tonight." He propped up his head on his hand. "Make sure it stays lit and stuff."

Each muscle in his body was tense as he stretched out. Her scent had dwindled, but his urge to touch her was overpowering.

Kagome stared at him for a moment, before lifting the nightgown from the table and setting it beside the tub. She had assumed Inuyasha would get mad and leave her to her own devices. But he continually surprised her.

After making sure he wasn't looking, she held her dress and sat in the chair, releasing her garters and running her stockings down her legs with her free hand, constantly glancing back towards the fire. She then stood, allowing everything to fall from her body and pool at her feet.

She's naked now. I just wanted to let you know in case you were unaware.

Inuyasha's ears twitched as he heard the movement of water and a hiss from Kagome. He turned out of habit, to ensure she was alright.

"Don't look!" She screamed, abruptly plunging into the tub with a resounding splash.

Kagome felt like a fool. She should have checked the water temperature before taking off her clothes. Were the servants trying to cook her? She undid her hair, letting it fall as she tried to relax into the steaming tub with a sigh and a wince. She grabbed the sponge next to her, scrubbing her arms.

Every sound echoed and amplified throughout the quiet room. Streams of water returning to the tub as she picked up the cloth. Soft gasps as the steaming water touched her skin. A splash as her body submerged deeper into the bath.

Kagome rolled her lips between her teeth, trying to mask the labored sound of her breathing as Inuyasha's eyes focused intently on the flames, watching them dance.

You're a bit of a masochist, aren't you? Just love torturing yourself. You should have left while you had the chance. Quite the restraint you showed earlier.

Kagome's face quickly grew humid and sticky as the steam from the water rose. She wouldn't be able to stay in the tub for long. A sharp intake of breath echoed throughout the room as she washed the makeup from her cuts and bruises.

"Are you alright?" His warm tone sent an unwelcome shiver of pleasure through her, reminding her she was nude in the same room with a man.

"Yes," she managed before dunking her head under the scalding water.

His nose scrunched at the smell of the cheap lavender soap as she washed her hair. His mother Izayoi had loved lavender, both the scent and the flowers, and his mind suddenly ached to return home. Had he returned alone, he would have ridden through the night and been to the manor by now, but he had sensed her exhaustion.

Humans are much frailer than us, remember?

Inuyasha didn't need to be reminded as his lips pressed together; his thoughts remaining on his mother. I should have been there for her.

Then you would be dead. The same frailty that plagued her endures in you. Full-blooded demons could not protect her. What would you have done?

Inuyasha clenched his fist, Shut up.

You despise yourself for it. Is that why you are so keen on protecting this human? Her weakness will be the end of you, as it was your father.

You act as if I plan on mating her. Besides, if you don't care, then why do you call her mine? Don't think that's gone unnoticed.

The sound of water running off Kagome's skin interrupted his conversation as she stood. She dried herself, then slipped the nightdress over her head.

Kagome had wanted to remain in the tub forever as the hot water soothed her aches and pains, but her mind told her the quicker she got clothes on the better. The heat was making her lightheaded.

Her lips parted – her pulse pounding in her ears, throughout her entire body, like a drum. She drew the towel across her brow and the back of her neck, but it did little to stop the sweat, her skin rivaling the color of Inuyasha's coat.

She padded over to him, forming damp footprints across the dark wooden floor. "I'm decent now."

Well, as modest as she could be in a nightdress. In any case, the white material was thick, and the gown wasn't revealing. But her body was sweating from the warm water and it clung to her curves. She felt exposed without her undergarments, but Inuyasha was right, at least she could breathe.

He turned to look up at her and Kagome stepped back as he jumped up, growling.

Trying to subdue his demon, Inuyasha reached out, brushing a wet strand of hair from her cheek and touching the angry red mark where Naraku had struck her. His eyes lingered on her neck - the claw marks and bruises across her. If possible, they looked even worse than last night.

At first Kagome thought he was still mad at her, but relaxed realizing he was only upset at her injuries. She swayed on her feet, still recovering from the water.

A gentle hand to his chest stopped his growl, "We should retire, your grace."

Inuyasha dropped his arm from her and nodded, moving back to sit in front of the fire.

Quickly climbing into bed, Kagome covered herself in a light sheet. Could he truly be different? But it was Inuyasha who got me in this mess. No - It hadn't been the many times Inuyasha had been scandalous that led us here. It had been the one time he was trying to protect me. What if I had been seen only with Naraku?

"Your grace?"

Inuyasha rolled to face her.

The words were so soft, even his demon ears almost didn't hear her. "Thank you."

Her heartbeat grew irregular and her chest heavy, but her eyes could no longer remain open as she let oblivion embrace her.

Kagome's feet swung back and forth, her toes dipping into the cool water as she perched on the end of the dock. Dressed in a simple blue gown, she leaned back, allowing the summer sunlight to caress her face. Summertime had always been her favorite season – she loved the warmth and clear skies. Most of all, she loved the break from the hustle and bustle of the city when they visited the countryside.

Turning at the sound of laughter, she waved at Sango and Hojo as they approached her.

"Hey Kags," Hojo said in his trademark carefree tone. Only it was Lady Kagome now. They were no longer the children they once were when they played at her family's vacation home – the very same one they were at now.

Hojo's hand slipped into Sango's as he kissed his fiancé on the cheek. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

Alone. Is that what she was? She never felt so until now.

"I'm waiting." Kagome said decidedly. "Waiting for my true love."

"I've been waiting for you, my pet."

Hojo's voice was bitter – distorted. It sounded like -

Kagome stumbled to stand as Sango's form disintegrated into ash, falling into the water and turning it black.

Seconds later, Hojo's skin flayed from his body in ribbons of rotting flesh, revealing Naraku. Using his powers, he quickly appeared before Kagome, pushing her into the lake with a shove.

She could see everything as she fell –

The grin on his face.

Her hands reaching out to stop her fall.

The dark water beneath her.

And then the liquid enveloped her, like a thick murky blanket striving to smother her.

When her eyes opened, Kagome flailed her arms and kicked her feet, reaching towards the light above her. She could see the outline of a hand extending down from the dock. If only she could reach it-

Naraku's laugh was everywhere at once – in the water, above her, below her - gripping her and dragging her deeper into the abyss. The desire to breathe became too great as Kagome opened her mouth involuntarily, bubbles rising to the surface – where the mysterious hand still waited.

It could not end like this. Kicking once more, she reached up as the hand became blurry, her energy fading into the surrounding water.

Just a little more – fight Kagome!

Her fingers finally intertwined in a hand that quickly thrust her out of the water. She gripped the dock, looking around at the summer house she once knew. The sun was shining. The water was blue. And as Hojo had reminded her earlier, she was alone.

As quickly as he came, Naraku – and everyone else - was gone.

(Vitamin String Quartet – Watermelon Sugar)

Snuggling up to warmth, Kagome smiled in her sleep. She never wanted to wake up. Everything smelled like trees after a spring shower. Dreams of running through the forests filled her mind. Just as she, Hojo and Sango would as children.

It felt odd to her – for the briefest moment - to remember such fond childhood memories now – but she was too incandescently happy to care. Her arms stretched as her eyes remained closed, her left hand running along the ridges of the hard wooden bed frame beside her.

She continued to stretch until her fingers entangled in something that resembled...strands of hair. She reached on in confusion until her hands arrived at a fuzzy object.

Her eyes exploded open to burning golden eyes and her fingertips rubbing silver ears.

Inuyasha was lying in bed beside her. And he was – purring.

As she tore away from his intense eyes, she became thoroughly aware of his hard chest muscles exposed by a fully unbuttoned white undershirt. His arms were behind his head, his sleeves rolled up to the elbows – he was not touching her.

Oh, God.

But she was most definitely touching him.

Her leg draped over his hips; her soft breasts pressed against his chest.

"Did you sleep well, princess?"

Recoiling her body with a yelp, her cheeks blushed a deep shade of red. Her hands clutched the blankets to her as she sat up, even though she was still fully clothed in her nightdress.

"You..." Kagome couldn't meet his eyes, so instead she looked at the planes of his abs, which wasn't an improvement. "You said you were sleeping by the fire!"

"Keh. I was going to, but you kept tossing and moaning in your sleep. I sat next to you to see if you were okay. Don't worry, I didn't touch you, but you touched me..." He leaned forward as her face met his again, "You grasped my arm so tight I figured I would just stay here." His eyes were practically dancing, "Not that I'm complaining."

He hadn't planned on falling asleep, but as soon as she gripped his arm, their scents fused. Seeing her nuzzled up against him allowed him to unwind enough to rest. At least after the inappropriate thoughts had subsided…

Kagome jumped out the bed, flushing further with shame as the early morning light illuminated the room.

I take back what I said. Maybe this bed you've made won't be so empty after all.

His demon had been silent all night while Kagome was near him, but required its presence known as she increased the distance between them.

"You can go now, your grace." Kagome picked up a brush and ran it deliberately through her hair. "I will call a maid to help me dress."

She is much more amiable when she's asleep.

Inuyasha stood and stretched, looking every bit the devil Kagome believed him to be as she studied the muscles that dipped down into his low hanging trousers. "I should go get some breakfast."

She struggled, but finally glanced away as her entire body further flushed with warmth. "Aren't you going to put some clothes on first?"

Inuyasha chuckled, she used his title when she was angry and dropped it when she was flustered. "Demons have more freedom in society, remember? I am dressed."

He moved to stand beside her. Teasing her kept his focus away from her injuries and her delicious scent that no longer smelled of lavender. "You appear displeased. Does this bother you?"

She peered up so she wouldn't have to look at his chest. "Nonsense, not in the least."

Kagome's breath quickened as a smirk formed on his lips. That bastard knew exactly what he was doing to her and it unnerved her he didn't even have to touch her to have an effect on her. She needed to take him down a notch. "I have observed numerous half-naked men before, your grace. Many that were exceedingly more handsome than yourself."

As soon as the words escaped her lips, she regretted them.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, "You're a god-awful liar, princess. Where would someone as innocent as you have seen something so indecent?"

Where could I have seen something so indecent indeed?

"Art," she retorted quickly, remembering her virtue.

"Hmmmm," Inuyasha advanced even closer, "which works?"

Kagome faltered, "There was a series in the museum, paintings of Zeus, I believe."

"So you are comparing me to a portrait of a God?" He chuckled, his shoulders tugging his shirt up higher again, "Not bad, I suppose."

She threw up her hands in defeat with an exasperated sigh, "I'm hungry."

"Anything I can assist with?"

"You are insufferable, your grace, you know that? Breakfast. I desire breakfast."

"Whatever you say, princess." Inuyasha couldn't help but laugh as he walked out the room.

Kagome sat at the table, knowing she only had a few minutes before he returned to recapture her sanity. Sometimes her nightmares all blended together - what had she been dreaming about? It was the summer house, I was dreaming about the summerhouse. And Naraku was there. Inuyasha said I grabbed him. He can break through my nightmares, but why? Was the hand his? I...sought him out even in my sleep. What the hell is wrong with me?

Inuyasha entered, setting two bowls of grits and eggs on the table. If his proposition was ever going to work, rules would have to be established for Kagome's sanity – as well as her propriety. If she was going to pursue Koga, then this had to stop. She straightened her back to appear taller on her stool. "I accept your proposal, but I have a condition of my own."

"And what is that?" His eyes appraised her, belittling her.

"I need assurances, your grace, assurances you won't touch me again."

"Technically, last night you touched me."

She narrowed her eyes at him with intent to kill, "I require my space. You will acquire me a proper handmaiden befitting my status."

Although she was starting to trust Inuyasha, she didn't trust herself. Oh, she despised him, but periodically the hate turned into an emotion she couldn't recognize when he was too close to her. An emotion that made her to forget her hatred of him, caused her to crave his hands all over her body.

Inuyasha intertwined his fingers innocently behind his back, which only caused his muscles to be more prominent. "Fine, I will only touch you as necessary to maintain our charade." His eyes twinkled, "Or if at any point you desire me to."

Kagome blushed, remembering Inuyasha's warm, hard body against hers as an unfamiliar warmth pooled again between her thighs. She pushed the thoughts from her mind as her hatred blossomed back. "That," she gestured to the bed, "will not happen again."

No worries, princess, I love a good challenge.

Inuyasha grabbed his silverware and took a slow, deliberate bite of food. Kagome looked up as the silver spoon dipped between his lips, coming out wet and glistening as his tongue leisurely stroked away every last morsel of flavor. The sensual gesture brought forth the image of him possessively holding her in the gardens, as his mouth sucked on her skin...his rough tongue caressing her neck.

She raised the wine glass swiftly to her lips, taking a tremendous gulp.

Surviving the duke with her dignity might be tougher than she thought.

...

Notes: Please let me know what you thought of this chapter; I love reading all the comments!