Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Anime

: Beastars

Pairing

: Louis x Kagome

Summary

: A battle with a witch gone awry and Kagome finds herself in a world where humanoid animals are at the top of the food chain and few humans left are at the very bottom.

Little Human Pet
Chapter Two: The Start

x . . . . x

"Tell me about education sin your world." The break to the silence in the car startled Kagome and she blinked as she processed the question. She turned her cerulean gaze to his and met his curious stare.

"Well, we have three tiers of regular schooling and continued education after that. In my world, I should be 2nd year in the last tier of school." She paused and he gestured for her to continue. "We learn mathematics, Japanese, science, history, and various other subjects."

He nodded and wondered how much the subjects differed in teachings. "It's extremely important that you learn quickly. I'm sure there will be gaps in learning since our worlds differ so greatly. You will be representing my family." Nothing more needed to be said, she could read between the lines well. She saw how extravagant his family home was, observed the way her savior held and conducted himself. She would do her best to learn so that she would not disgrace him. It was on his grace and goodwill that she was being taken of and if she learned anything while traveling through time, you do not bite that hand that feeds you.

Kagome smiled in understanding, "I will do my best."

"Good - we are almost at the school. You mentioned in your world that things are essentially switched around but here, because humans are so rare I cannot predict how your time at school with me will turn out." Louis reached out and touched the back of her smaller hand with the tips of his fingers. He was growing increasingly tactile as the days passed; it was almost embarrassing with how he found himself almost unable to stop touching her. "I can assure you this... I will do everything I can to take care of you."

Unwanted emotions welled within Kagome and she found herself unable to stop the bitter words from tumbling passed her lips, "Because I'm your pet."

Louis jerked his hand back as though burned. The blue in her eyes was darker with the words said, and she turned away, focusing outside the window instead of on him. His black lips pursed and he clenched his hand. What could he say to that, after all, that was the guise of how she was entering the school with him. And wasn't it true? Just a little bit?

The words that came after were quiet and stung Kagome deeper than she cared to admit, "I suppose so."

Because at the end of the day, everything had a place and Kagome had hers.

.

Kagome unpacked the bags and the clothing that had been purchased for her. Everything seemed so expensive and she tugged her lip between her teeth nervously. She was starting to feel it - the weight of what was happening. The journey for the Jewel had taught her that you rolled with the punches. You kept trekking. Fighting things you couldn't change had a nasty way of hurting you. She continued unpacking quietly, noting that everything looked like it would fit her perfectly. The room was small but beautiful with a door that led directly into a shared bathroom with Louis.

Leaving her newly purchased items on her bed, she out her ear to the door before entering and walking to the door that led to Louis' room. She wasn't going to apologize for speaking the truth, not at all. But she would thank him for everything he was doing.

Kagome knocked and waited.

When the door opened, she met his eyes, "Thank you for everything." Louis leaned against the wall with more elegance than she cared to admit. Arms crossed, he lounged against the door, looking at down at her in the same weighted and assessing way he had done that first day. He found himself reaching for her and stopped himself just a few inches short of touching her arm. Kagome looked down almost shyly, her cheeks burning crimson from other shame or embarrassment she wasn't sure. "It's okay... it - uh - it comforts me too."

He was the only person he knew in this strange world. And it did provide her with comfort. She had been extremely tactile with Shippo and he had been in her arms since day one. Louis hesitated just for a moment before reaching out again and making contact. His hand held hers loosely, "This new found physicality of mine is interesting." His other hand came and touched her head, running his fingers through the silken strands, "I have never felt so inclined to touch anyone before."

Tentatively, Kagome queried, "Is this what you will expect of me?"

Louis' voice was strong and his grip on her arm tightened lightly, "I expect nothing from you except to represent me well."

"What do I do though? When others are around?" Silently she asked, help me understand this new strange role. Before, she had been a savior, a girl on a mission to save the world. Now she was just a girl in a new world relying on the kindness of a stranger while she tried to find her way back home.

As though sensing her need, he told her forcefully, "You're my companion, Kagome."

Kagome smiled, "A friend?"

He made a face and she wondered how many friends he had. He seemed the type to have relationships but never really define them. "If that helps you, then yes. A friend."

Without thought, she threw her arms around his torso and hugged him because he was her lifeline and because right now she really needed it.

.

Kagome was in awe of the boarding school, having never seen anything like it. The smaller animals took to the walls as to not be stepped on while the larger animals mingled in the middle. Whispers erupted like fire around them, curious stares, lips curled over sharp teeth in some cases but no one had approached yet. They had all received the mass message from the head master about the human joining them in school yet some had not believed it.

Kagome held her bag tightly in her hands - her white knuckles almost matching the school uniform as she followed Louis. She was joining his year and he explained he would tutor her at nights to help with any educational gaps. He had given her a phone and a wallet with cash if he had to leave her for any reason. Louis stood straight and tall, waving at people as he passed them, almost like a politician. His smile seemed empty to her, though others took it face value.

She found public Louis was different from private Louis.

He seemed so much more closed off.

As for herself, she had seen so many youkai in her travels - most of them not of humanoid nature - that the varying creatures that surrounded her didn't phase her as much as it would have had she been fifteen again. She kept her back straight and eyes focused on the spot between Louis' shoulder blades.

When they entered home room, the class had gone quiet enough that Kagome could hear her own heartbeat in her head. Louis met the eyes of his classmates and went to his desk, gesturing for Kagome to take a seat beside him. The quiet did lot last long and the whispers broke out swiftly.

Then... the first girl approached.

She stood in the aisle between Louis and Kagome and the mike took note of the breed. She was a feline for sure, her long and lovely tail attesting to that, her eyes an emerald green and short fur a dove gray. Those piercing emerald eyes flickered between the two before settling on the deer and asking her questions, "The email wasn't a prank after all! A human, Louis? Where on earth did you find one?" There was a playful purr in the feline's voice and her smile revealed her dainty fangs. "What is the humans name?"

The smile Louis have was indulgent but sharp all at once as he leaned in his chair, "You may ask her yourself, Alexa - believe it or not, she does speak." Although the words weren't meant to be a joke, nervous giggles broke out across the classroom.

The feline, Alexa, turned to Kagome, crossing her arms over an ample bosom, "Well? What's your name then?" There were no noticeable eyebrows on the but Kagome could have sworn that her expression held an eyebrow arched her way in question.

Smiling prettily, if not a little nervously, she replied, "My name is Kagome." Drawn to her furless flesh, her sweet voice, and gentle smile the ice was broken and the flood of questions and comments started.

"Oh my god! This human is so cuuute!"

"What area are you from?"

"Are there more humans like you?"

"Her skin is so pale! No fur or scales or feathers at all!"

Glancing at Louis through the corner of her eyes, she fielded all the questions masterfully with the story he had created for her. In turn he nodded his approval as he fielded his own questions.

From the door of the room, large dark eyes peered into the class that wasn't hers before disappearing down the hall.

.

Kagome had been quite popular and she fell into an easy day to day. The novelty had not quite worn off but there were those that were overall very kind animals and they treated her well. There were also plenty that looked down at her, those that didn't acknowledge her and referred to her as human. It reminded her of youkai society so she found it hard to be offended. Several years of traipsing in Sengoku Japan and she had been referred to worse things than human.

When she wasn't in class, studying with Louis, or with him at his school club... she poured over books and her heart dropped every time.

Magic didn't seem to exist. No form of spells or mystical power, at least nothing substantial.

Forlorn, she often went to bed and woke up with drying tears on her cheeks.

Louis had not asked her about her search and she didn't have the heart to bring it up.

Kagome found her days filling with homework and her nights filled with Louis.

Kagome looked up from her coursework and found herself peaking at him through her lashes. They had an odd evening ritual to say the least. Shower, homework, and then...

"I think we should stop here. What do you think?" His brown hues met hers and she found a blush on her cheeks. It was an interesting jump, youkai to humanoid animals but not a difficult one. Inuyasha had dog ears, Kouga had a tail... Louis had fur and antlers. Underneath it was still a soul and a personality.

He cleared his throat and Kagome jumped to close her things, startled from her thoughts, "Yes! Absolutely! I'm pretty sure anymore and I'll be up all night worried about math."

"Good. Come then." His chair scrapped across the wood and he stood and offered her his hand. She pushed a stray raven lock behind her ear and placed her hand in his. She had no idea how she had ended up in this situation. A conversation had never been had, he hadn't bullied her or forced her. On the second night, he had grabbed her hand and pulled her toward his bed just as he was doing now.

His grip was loose but warm. He settled on the edge of the bed first, still holding her hand and then he gently led her between his thighs. She settled on her knees between them, grateful for the plush carpet by the bed and laid her cheek on his upper thigh, her gaze turned outward to the window while he clicked off the light by his bed.

The darkness engulfed them for several moments before the moon shown through the clouds, casting its quiet glow upon the duo. Kagome's eyes drifted shut as his fingers found purchase in her hair and he started to scrape his nails upon her scalp. If there were ever any moments where she felt like his pet, these were it, however, the closeness and quietness of it all was a soothing balm to her aching and lonely heart. She missed her friends and her family that she ached when thinking of them.

She was slowly resigning her life to this world, to this creature behind her.

More often then not, her own hands found his calf and she would pet the thick fur there - Kagome quietly soothing his own aching soul.

Louis was an inherently selfish and calculating creature so most of what he did he ensured helped him in some way. Something about her overall presence soothed old wounds and pain that he had thought been buried away with his old life. And honestly, he didn't think he could keep his hands off her. She filled his every sense from touch to scent. He didn't have the nose of most carnivores but he could still smell her sweetness especially in a room so small as his.

Often he wondered if there was someone waiting for her.

She didn't talk much about her life but he knew she was trying to get home.

This relationship... was different then any other he had. He wondered if she did as he requested because she felt indebted to him or if she genuinely was okay with what he asked of her. It was another subject he avoided with her - not so much because he cared but because this arrangement worked for him and he dare not ruin it.

He did not have the physical closeness as he did with Haru and he didn't disclose his deepest and darkest feelings. Honestly, she asked nothing of him. Demanded nothing of him. Expected nothing of him. She was just there, a reliable presence. He oddly enough hoped that one day she would open up him but right now, in the beginning stages of this abnormal relationship, he was content with comfort she offered.

Content with this quiet closeness.

Soon Louis stopped and Kagome stood, standing between his legs. She stared down at him for just a moment, her eyes searching and he wondered for what, what is she searching for?

Her lips curled into a quick but sad smile and then she murmured, "Goodnight, Louis."

One step back, then another, and she was walking from the room to her own before he could respond.

Gazing out the window, Louis wondered about the oddity that was Kagome before falling asleep with her scent still on the air.

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'Gome Yuki:: Yo, yo, yo! Here you go! I like the pet story line. It's always interesting and can be taken in various stages and ways. As always, thank you so much for all your reviews. I am thankful to all of you and want to send a special thanks to long time writer KibaSin. She has been a steady online presence of the years and I always appreciated it. Please review and let me know what you think!