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 Five: Bitter Truths

x . . . . x

No matter where he went he heard the whispers.

The wolf and the human.

He thought Kagome would be subtle but she had been anything but. There were often stolen kisses between them in the hall and occasionally missed theater practices. On several occasions that practice was missed, there had been a howl that tittered the other animals, especially the herbivores. He would sometimes see them in the rafters, behind the lighting - Legoshi falling prey to the little human woman's spell. Ever since she had decided to keep the wolf, she had no doubt become more confident in herself as a woman rather than just a girl. More confident in her role in this world.

For his part, Legoshi seemed content and yet more wild around the edges, a predator in sheep's clothing. Mild manners and easy personality hid the beast that she awoke within, however, despite their relationship... there was still something very off about it and no matter how many times he analyzed it he couldn't figure out what the problem was.

" - mind is a thousand miles away." Louis came back to himself and his gaze met Haru's concerned features. "Where are you nowadays?" She asked quietly, her Snow White body straddling him as she worked to take his shirt off.

He caught her hand and held her to his chest, "I'm here - there has just been much on my mind lately."

It was quiet before Haru's voice softly broke the silence, "Were you thinking about her again?" He didn't answer and Haru pushed forward, taking his lack of response as confirmation enough, "The human can't offer you anything and besides she's with that wolf! Clearly she doesn't care about you!" He hummed, inclined to agree. The kind words they exchanged had been few and the barbs many. But despite his anger he would not forsake her. She was his responsibility until the bitter end - even if their time together was wrought with venom. Sliding away from Haru, he began to gather his things and she moved to stop him, "You just got here!"

Her dark eyes were sad as she jumped off the bed and he wondered in the back of his mind if he was doing her a disservice. He knew that she had feelings he would never be able to publicly reciprocate. She would always be a shadow in his life. He reached his hand out and couldn't stop the slight ache in his chest if wanted to, "You know where this road leads us, right?"

The rabbit jumped back as though burned, her ears slightly drooping, "We've had this conversion before."

Nodding his head, he turned to walk away. This relationship was not an easy one, not like the one he had originally shared with Kagome. This one was messy with emotions and as long as she continued to love him, he would hurt in the end. This was an act of convenience for him, a moment away from the world, a moment for just him. Where he could be himself for a few minutes in the day. But he had a strong sense of duty and one day he would be married and there was no room for Haru in that equation. He cared for her as lovers should - time spent with another intimately would always lead to a little more.

The thought made anger rush through him because despite how he felt about Haru - he was sure Kagome was in much deeper with Legoshi. Her emotions were on her sleeve, the driving force behind everything she did. So if she was sleeping with the wolf then she was doing so happily and enjoying her time, deepening their bond without trying. Lips curling upward, Louis made his way to the theater.

Somehow all thoughts led to Kagome.

.

Kagome sighed against Legoshi, her lips pressing against his before she pulled away. She was able to sneak him into her room, the door attendant had been sick the last few days with a sinus infection so their nose was clogged and they were sleeping most of the day. Straddling his waist while he propped against the headboard, Kagome smiled wryly. His hands were at the edges of her skirt, his claws scraping gently.

Quietly, almost a whisper, she asked, "Why couldn't it have been you?" Legoshi met her gaze, eyes confused as her hand caressed his cheek, "If I was going to care for anyone, why couldn't it have been you?"

With understanding dawning in his eyes, the wolf leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "It would have been nice, I suppose, if it had been you for me too."

He had confided in her once that the rabbit Louis was sleeping with was the same rabbit he had grown to care about in some very weird way. He was still working out his feelings - they were still working on his urges. Kagome would walk him through lust and hunger and explained how two very different impulses could somehow feel the same way. Slowly, he was getting it - understanding what it meant to be what he was. She hoped for his sake that it would work out for the best. Haru had a budding friendship with Legoshi but Kagome knew he would only be satisfied with more. The Miko was thankful that she could release Legoshi one day back into the dating pool and he would know what he was capable of. The thought of him getting his wires crossed and ripping out someone's throat during sex had horrified her but knew that he realized the differences now.

Leaning against him, Kagome took in his scent, rubbing her face into the fur on his chest. Contrary to what most others thought, they didn't just have sex, they had a friendship deepened by their physical bond. He would eat lunch with her, help her with homework, and hang out with her. It was like having a boyfriend without the love and although they had love it was just the quiet love of friends that would share passionate nights. She didn't crave his touch, didn't think the world started and ended with him when they were intimate, he didn't make her toes curl with a kiss.

"Don't worry too much about it, Kagome. We have each other now." His words were kind and she knew it took a lot for him to say them. He was a glass half empty kind of guy after all. Suddenly, he gave her a very wolffish grin, his tail wagging slowly, "Now did we skip practice to talk? Because honestly there are a lot of things you could be doing instead."

She laughed, a light sound that made the room a little brighter, "I didn't ask you to skip today!" She responded accusingly. Legoshi growled almost playfully as he pressed her into the bed and began to tickle her. Kagome laughed loudly and breathlessly as his claws scrapped against her sides and his growl tickled her chest.

She was thankful that although she was stuck here and the person she cared about was fighting with her at least she had Legoshi.

.

Louis fumed.

Another practice skipped.

Irritated beyond reason he walked through the dormitories intent and having a quick shower and resting for the evening. He would have to pass her room before getting to his own and he could never look at the door. Today was different though.

As he walked by her room there he was barraged by a cacophony of sounds. Laughter, small moans, and growls. Pausing as he came to her door, he tilted his head curiously. Legoshi may have had an amazing sense of smell but Louis' hearing was nearly unmatched. Eyes narrowed, he heard them again and knew that Kagome and her wolf lay behind those doors and they were either finishing up or just getting started. Teeth gnashing together, he waited another second before turning away and then it came, a quiet, "Oh... just like that."

And for the love of God he couldn't stop himself as he forcefully pushed open her door and interrupted.

On adrenaline and anger he was in the room, barely registering the partially clothed wolf and the mostly naked human. Legoshi had been nibbling her neck, a hand between them, on her most sensitive spot. But when the door had opened, the growl he gave was ferocious and territorial, his gaze lidded with hunger when he turned to Louis. The combination made a shiver race along his spine but he moved forward. Kagome's gasp that had started with pleasure ended with shock and irritation as she sat up, face contorted with anger and embarrassment, "What are you doing?"

He ignored her as he came to them, his hand reaching out and forcefully yanking out the wolf, another growl and Louis was there, "Stop growling and get out." Lips contorted in a scowl, "I am done with this dalliance between you - out!"

Legoshi for his part shook off the haze and was pushing back, angry at the interruption but submissive enough in life to not allow it to get out of hand, "Louis - stop!" The irritation in his voice bleeding into a snarl.

Louis stopped and met his gaze unflinchingly, "And what will you do if I don't stop?"

Sensing the tension and more than a little upset, Kagome stood and wrapped herself in a sheet, "Louis - quit it!" She stepped forward with Legoshi's clothing and found it in her to give him a quick smile, "Don't worry. I'm sorry about this and I'll text you later." He hesitated before nodding and she ushered him from the room before locking the door behind him and locking eyes with Louis and hissing, "What is your problem?"

Louis paused, still attempting to process his own actions, she made a sound of irritation and he didn't stop his anger toward her, "You have been insufferable since you found out about Haru. Parading your relationship for all to see."

Kagome stepped forward, fire alight in her blue eyes, "Parading? Me? Parading? Is that what you think I'm doing?"

"Is it not?" He responded back scathingly.

Crossing her arms she met his own gaze coolly, "My relationship with Legoshi has nothing to do with you, Louis. I like him and he likes me and that's all there is to it. We enjoy each other's company." The fact that she wasn't doing it to get back at him stung. She enjoyed her relations with Legoshi and somehow that was worse. He didn't say anything in response and Kagome pressed forward in irritation. "Did you think I would sit on the side, a good little pet waiting for her master?" Her blue eyes flashed, "If you did, you're wrong. I waited for another boy once and look what happened! I'm god knows where or why completely separated! I'm not going to wait for anyone anymore and that includes you!"

His anger was swift but controlled, his voice coming out soft but harsh to even his own ears, "Do you care for me, Kagome? Do you?" She made a noise of surprise and he pressed on, heedless of her response, "Allow me to enlighten you on what it means to care for me, pet. You would be a human mistress - a whore - nothing more. A dirty secret or a side piece, my fate has been decided and I am here along for the ride." Their eyes met and he saw her eyes widen, "That is what awaits for anyone that decides they love me. Is that what you want?" He demanded, "Haru knows that - do you? Do you understand now why it was her? She knows where this road leads, knows and follows it anyway." He stepped close to her, his hand reached out, fingers gripping her jaw, forcing her to face him. He saw the glitter of tears in her eyes and his heart ached to stop but he didn't.

"Do you care for me enough to forsake yourself? To be in the shadows? Do you wish to trade spots with Haru? Forsake yourself in her place?" His grip loosened on her jaw but there was still an anger that rode the air, "That is what my love can give you and only that." He let his hand fall as he took a step back, his breathing labored but his gaze direct while tears slid down her cheeks, "Make your decision, Kagome."

Her heart thumped and ached in her chest as she scrubbed the tears from her cheeks angrily, "That's not fair. You can't drop all that on me and demand I make a decision!" This time it was her stepping forward, her flattening her hands on his chest as she met his eyes with her own anger. She pushed him back, and he stumbled into the wall behind him, "You asshole! You tell me to make a decision but what about you, huh?" She stepped forward and her hands were grasping at the lapels of his uniform, "Do you care? Do you even know how? Or are you so damn apathetic about everything in your life? Going through the motions?"

He looked down at her, his jaw clenched, and then he spoke through gritted teeth, "How can you ask me that after everything? I bought you didn't I? Continued to take care of you - brought you to this place to keep you with me and safe! And you ask me if I care? Is there anything other than Haru that dictates otherwise?"

She jerked his collar down, bringing him to her level and he would be a liar if he said her aggression wasn't a turn on, "Then just say it! Is it really that hard to tell me what you feel because if you think for one second I am going to just fall at your feet without some type of feedback then you are - "

Her voice was suddenly muffled when his lips slammed over hers. His kiss was bruising, demanding even and she was stunned. Too stunned to respond but his point was made and he pulled away. His voice was a frustrated hush against her lips, "Do you think that you would have been saved had I not cared? Even then it would have hurt something in me to see you, a stranger, torn to pieces before me." His eyes closed and he continued on, voice low, "A strange human girl left to die at market is nothing but you called to me from the moment I met you."

Her brows furrowed as she pulled away abruptly and took several steps back until she hit the bed, "That was your instincts acting up, Louis. Instincts and fascination. Nothing more."

He scoffed and rolled his eyes, arms crossing over his chest, "Maybe it is instincts and fascination but it does not change what I have done and what I will continue to do and what I continue to do is crave your skin on mine and miss your presence at my side. Is there anything more that matters?"

She observed him for one long moment before shaking her head of raven hair, "No - I suppose not."

The silence stretched between them and Louis finally asked one more time, "What will you do, little pet, what life do you choose? Regardless of your answer - I won't toss you away." Their eyes met and he frowned, "You know my feelings, I will not elaborate further in them."

This was not what she had wanted when she decided to push. She had hoped for a grand confession of love, of how he could not love without her. Something different then this matter of fact, painful exchange of truths. Reality was often colder than fantasy, she found. Yet as she looked at her master, her heart beat a silent soft tune. He had shown her kindness and care in their time together, even now offered to care for her if she rejected him.

Sometimes love was fire and passion and others it was made up of small moments strung together. The times he would painstakingly teach her so she could be caught up in her education, the moments after where he took comfort in presence, making time in his busy schedule specifically for her to have lunch with him. Providing her with shelter and funds to purchase items for her room and clothing on her back. His very matter of fact view on the world and his unyielding will.

It was a painful path that he laid out before her. One where she knew how it ended. Yet… wasn't it worth it to at least have tried? Better to have loved than not loved at all and all that? One day, he would marry as his station required. Could she really watch it happen? The more time she spent with him, the more she would want him. She had spent several years tip-toeing around Inuyasha and the regret she felt was enormous.

She wouldn't do the same thing twice.

Being with Legoshi had changed something in her. Being with him taught her confidence in herself as a woman. Sex did that - amazing sex could change someone's outlook on life - but his friendship had done something as well. It was the compliments she knew he didn't need to give her, the care he showed her body, the way that he treasured their exchanges. It was because of all that she was able to drop the sheet before the person she had come to care for in this strange world and sit at the edge of the bed.

Louis never once pulled his gaze from hers and she tilted her head up at him. A challenge, "Then you should know as well, master, what the answer is - I should not have to elaborate."

As Louis' gaze swept across her form from head to toe, he began to undo his tie.

One step, then two - his features stiff until he reached her. When he did, he looked down at her seated form and reached a hand out, his thumb running along her bottom lip, "For as long as you can… Kagome… only then and no longer…"

Because even then… in this moment and the many moments in between did Louis understand that no one could sit on the side forever. With those words he sealed her and freed her all at once.

Tears filling her eyes as he leaned over and pressed her into the bed, his weight a comforting presence, "Only as long as I can."

When the first tear slid into her inky hair, he pressed his lips to hers.

A quiet promise to care and do as much as he was able within his circumstance.

And Kagome who had been tossed through time and worlds returned that kiss with vigor because for once, she wasn't going to let go of what she wanted.

Maybe Louis wasn't perfect and neither was she but she would take his quiet feelings and return hers with gusto.

Until the end.

.

.

.

Fin~

There will be a companion piece down the road. Just a few chapters with a Louis lemon since Legoshi got his. Wanted to get this off my plate before the next season starts. If you're not reading the manga then enjoy season 2 with all it's excitement! Thank you for all the reviews on this! I was super surprised at the amount of response I received for basically furry love.

My reasoning for going this route: At the end of the day, Louis knows he can't love Haru and he can't love Kagome either. I feel like I would have done the series a MASSIVE misjustice to his character if he came out and said "I love you" to Kagome. Louis is a man of action, not words as seen in how he went after Haru when she was kidnapped. He will give her the option just as he did Haru and leave it in her hands to take. In this case, he much rather be with Kagome which is why he is so pissed about Legoshi unlike with Haru and her lovers. He rather selfishly hoard Kagome which shows how much he cares for her but also understands that one day, seeing him with his future wife may be too much. Hence "only as long as you can". He won't damn her to a painful life of love if he can help it but because he loves her, he'll continue to take care of her regardless.

It's in the details! Hah.

Thank you for joining me on this journey and let me know your thoughts!