A/N: I can't stop updating! What's wrong with me! I need to be filling out job applications and instead I have become obsessed with this damn story XD
SPECIFIC SHOUT OUT: The following people have been super awesome and supportive of this story, even going so far as to helping me decide on including a lemon in this chapter! I love everyone who offers a review or comment about my work, but these guys most of all!
jinulover
LovingHopelessly
Chelsea-Tygers
arm-Amber92
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter Thirty-eight: A Stranger in Paradise
The first few weeks were strangely enjoyable; probably because Kagome wasn't around to pick fights or annoy him, though her fat cat Buyo seemed to seek Inuyasha out more than usual. Yes, life was going particularly swell for the recent graduate. It was refreshingly liberating to wake up without the dark cloud of tests, homework, or detention hanging over his head. Instead, Inuyasha was waking up with the excitement of going to work with his father and brother; and it was better yet because he was able to dress somewhat casually compared to the suit and tie the others had to wear. Every morning the three shared a quick breakfast at the kitchen table then shared the same vehicle to get to work.
Working in the mail-room had its perks as well. Now that his co-workers had grown accustomed to Inuyasha's presence, and were able to relax around the CEO's son, the job was actually enjoyable. There were two others his age that had begun around the same time, and the three garnered a reputation for being pranksters and goof-offs. His duties consisted of sorting and organizing mail, delivering it to the various recipients on the many floors of the company, and collecting all out-going mail as well. A trained monkey could perform the same tasks, but could he also flirt with cute receptionists and snag free pastries without getting caught? Unlikely.
When his shift ended around 2 pm, Inuyasha was given leave for the rest of the day. He'd either hail a cab or have one of his friends pick him up, and then from there he'd begin spreading his name around the local bar scene through use of flyers and flash-drives with samples of his work on them. There were auditions and open-mic-nights he had to attend, and almost every night Inuyasha could be found somewhere in the city performing. When he was especially desperate, he'd pick a crowded spot and play on the street with only his voice and an acoustic guitar, happy for the exposure and extra pocket money thrown his way. It was the sort of life Inuyasha had been waiting for, and he didn't mind that it left him with very little free time. Sure, his friends would come out some nights to watch him perform and offer support, but they were also preparing for college and completing summer homework.
Kikyou often came to watch him, though he rarely invited her and was more often surprised by her sudden appearance wherever he happened to be playing. Inuyasha got the sense that she was there just to mark her territory in case other women tried to approach him; which was getting really irritating because she was also starting to scare off possible fans! Inuyasha could describe his relationship with Kikyou as luke warm at best. He went days without reaching out to her and it didn't bother him at all, in fact it felt refreshing not having to put up with her attitude and demands. When others asked how his relationship was going, he'd just shrug and change the subject. Inuyasha wasn't proud to be with Kikyou as he had once been, and she rarely occupied his busy mind. Whenever he did get a moment to relax, Inuyasha often found himself wondering about Kagome instead.
This was her fourth week away, and not once had either of them made contact. Instead, he got updates on her life through Izayoi and their mutual friends. And she was doing the same thing. Apparently, Kagome was a standout among the students attending the conference. She frequently sent pictures to Izayoi and Sesshoumaru of herself enjoying the warm weather, or at the beach and water parks during her occasional free time. Sango made mention of Kagome uploading a bunch of pictures to her online profile, but Iunyasha was doing everything in his power to avoid looking at them. His last interaction with Kagome had been explosive and was left unsettled; filling him with both guilt and resentment.
The girl was the only person in his life that could so quickly set off his temper, and then somehow sooth it in the next moment. She knew him better than anyone; had understood and accepted him when he couldn't even do so for himself. And yet she was the person he fought with the most. Then again…he always did like seeing the anger in her eyes. It was exciting to see such a passionate emotion on her usually blissful face. As he sat at the bar, having just finished a set, Inuyasha sipped coke from his glass and stared into oblivion. He was thinking about Kagome and wondering what she was up to in Texas. There was an incessant desire to text her, but what could he say after ignoring her for a month? There were things he wanted to tell her, things that would change the nature of their relationship forever; things like 'I love you' and 'Please be with me'. The sort of things a boyfriend said to his girlfriend.
Covering his face with one hand, Inuyasha sighed and tried to put the dangerous thoughts to rest. Actively changing them to Kikyou, he reminded himself exactly what it was about her that he still liked. However, try as he might, Inuyasha found himself comparing every reason to Kagome. The poor boy was fighting a losing battle. His phone vibrated inside his pocket, and after checking the notification, Inuyasha felt himself cringe. It was Kikyou asking where he was. The last thing he wanted was for her to intrude on his night; and then it hit him like a ton of bricks. His feelings and thoughts towards Kikyou were completely unfair and cruel. She didn't deserve to be so negatively thought of by the person who was supposed to love her. With his feelings for Kagome only getting more intense, Inuyasha knew in his heart that he owed it to Kikyou to be honest…to a point. He decided to call her then, needing to get it over with while he had the bravery to do so, and closed his eyes when her sultry voice answered.
"So, are you going to tell me where you are?" She jumped to the point, ever the direct and unflinching person he'd come to know. Inuyasha cleared his throat and looked down at his half-empty glass. God, he wished he was old enough to drink.
"No. Kikyou, I have to tell you something." She was silent, which was surprising, but Inuyasha kept on. "I need some space. I'm really busy right now working for my dad and at night at the bars. I just can't juggle all that and still give you the time you deserve. You'll be going to college soon, anyway, and I don't want to hold you back from experiencing everything there is." Such good reasons, but none of them were the complete truth. But how could Inuyasha tell Kikyou he was breaking up with her because he'd fallen in love with Kagome? No one would be safe if she ever heard those words. So, he relied on the age-old excuses men had been using since the birth of dating.
"Are you serious? Are you FUCKING serious? Inuyasha! I don't accept this! I've been with you since middle-school! I love you!" Her voice was both enraged and desperate at the same time, pulling at Inuyasha's guilty conscience like nothing else. "You're my best friend, Inuyasha. Please, don't do this to me. There's no one else I want to be with. Inuyasha!" There were tears now, he could hear them in her voice. Pulling the phone away from his ear, Inuyasha looked up at the ceiling as if the answers would be written there. He let Kikyou fume for a few more seconds before bringing the phone back to his ear.
"Kikyou, you'll always be important to me. And if you ever really need me, you can always call and I'll come. But I'm at a point in my life where I can't handle a relationship. I have to focus on myself, and so do you. I'm going to give you a few days to cool down, then I'll come by with your things that are still in my room." She began screaming at this point, forcing Inuyasha to jerk the phone away and drawing attention from strangers seated on either side of him. They seemed to recognize what was going on and gave the young man sympathetic looks before turning back to their own lives. "Goodbye, Kikyou." He said finally, and hung up on her. Already knowing that his phone would be flooded with calls and texts, Inuyasha set it to airplane mode and put it back in his pocket.
"Want another coke?" The bartender asked him, a knowing look in the older man's face. Inuyasha let out a short chuckle through his nostrils and shook his head at the comical implications of a bartender offering an underage patron a glass of coke. In one fluid motion, Inuyasha finished the last of his drink and stood up from the bar. He stooped down to pick up his guitar case and pushed through the packed establishment to leave, smiling when people complimented him on his playing. Walking down the hectic thoroughfare, Inuyasha reflected on what he'd just done. He was surprised to find an absence of grief or regret, and instead he felt relief. As if a weight had been lifted from his soul, Inuyasha smiled to himself and couldn't stop himself from letting out a burst of laughter. It startled those around him, but the jaded citizens paid no mind to the teenager.
A shrill, heartbroken scream pierced the relative quiet of the apartment; causing one of the residents to jump up and grab his handgun before rushing towards the source of the loud yelling. Naraku didn't bother knocking on Kikyou's door, instead he threw it open and poised the gun as if he should have caught a burglar attacking the eighteen-year-old. But what he found was just his sister bawling her eyes out into a pillow, her frantic screaming muffled by the soft cushion. After letting out a frustrated breath, he tucked the gun in the belt around his waist and approached his despondent sibling. She was eighteen now, and he twenty-eight, but he pretended to be much older.
"What's going on, Kikyou?" He asked boredly, not actually invested in her misery. It was simply to appease her need for attention so that he wasn't on the receiving end of her wrath. Kikyou was re-energized and began pounding her fists into the mattress, thrashing wildly in a fit of rage. "There, there…it will be okay. Tell me what happened." He rattled on, more preoccupied with the notifications on his phone. When Kikyou finally decided to sit up and face him, he had to hold back laughter at her wretched appearance. She as usually so well kept, but makeup was smeared across her cheeks and hair was disheveled unattractively.
"Inuyasha broke up with me." Her voice was low and dangerous, almost like a growl from the strain of screaming. Naraku remained silent while Kikyou breathed raggedly, her eyes wild with sadness and anger. "How could he do that? I did everything for him. I was with him for years! That ungrateful bastard!" She lashed out and threw the nearest pillow across the room, unflinching when it knocked over a picture frame and caused it to shatter.
"Why'd he break up with you then?" Naraku pressed, the wording less than ideal if he intended to not upset her further. Kikyou glared at her brother.
"He said he needed space. That he didn't want to hold me back when I go to college." She spat the words out like they were poison.
"That's bullshit. He's lying to protect himself." There was no sugar-coating when it came to Naraku. They were the words she had been telling herself, but it didn't help to hear them out loud. Kikyou began screaming again, shutting her eyes as her powerful lungs created such a terrible sound. If she kept this up, Kikyou was going to pass out. Naraku rolled his eyes and stood up from her bed, his gaze lingering on his phone as he typed a response to an important text message. Once it'd been sent and he slipped the phone back into his pocket, he regarded a still screaming and crying Kikyou. She'd always battled insecurities and he vaguely suspected she might suffer from some mental condition, but that was neither here nor there in his opinion. Swiftly and unexpectedly, Naraku struck Kikyou across the face without restraint; it wasn't the first time he'd done so. Her head snapped to the side, causing her black hair to drape in front of her face while she remained frozen from shock.
"Alright, let's talk about this calmly. Can you do that?" he asked condescendingly. Kikyou swallowed softly and brought her hand up to pull the hair from her face. A few strands were caught in her lashes and in the corner of her mouth.
"Yes," Was her only reply. Kikyou looked up at Naraku sadly, but also fearfully. Every once in a while he took the opportunity to remind her just who was in charge and who made the rules; and having such a loud fit was definitely against the rules.
"Good. Now, what are you going to do about this? How are you going to repay him for breaking your heart?" Naraku watched Kikyou's eyes dart across the room as she thought of a proper payback. It was their first response anytime either one of them was wronged. Slowly, a plan began to hatch inside the deceitful girl's mind and she hardened her expression.
"He broke up with me because of Kagome. He's always had this weird thing for her and now that he's done with me, he'll move onto her!" Kikyou cut her eyes up at Naraku, and he'd never seen such a depraved look on her beautiful face. "I want her gone…If I can't have him, no one can; especially Kagome. She's been undermining my relationship with him for years, turning him against me. You need to make her disappear. I don't care what you do, just make it happen." Kikyou stood up from the bed and put herself in front of Naraku, challenging him. "And make it fast." With that, Kikyou stalked past her brother to disappear in the bathroom.
Quietly, he left her room and returned to his office. The darkly furnished room was a reflection of his inner-self; bleak and unsettling. Falling back into his leather chair, Naraku turned his attention to his computer and navigated through a series of folders to open a very specific one. In it were countless images and videos of Kagome, taken without her knowledge, and were as recent as just a week ago. The picture he was transfixed on was one of her at the beach, adorning a daring two piece and exposing her developed body for his sickening pleasure.
Naraku felt a familiar urge and sat back in his seat while his hands fumbled with the buckle of his belt. After unfastening his pants and tugging them down his hips, his hand began stroking the painful erection now demanding to be satisfied. While the picture had been inspiration, further motivation came when he began imagining what it would feel like to be with her. What kind of lover was she? How many ways would he take her before growing bored? With that gorgeous face and supple body, Naraku knew it'd be long before he ever grew tired of violating her. Gritting his teeth together, he felt himself nearing the precipice of an orgasm and quickened the pace of his hand.
"Ka-ahh…Kagome! Fuck!" Grunting softly, spurts of creamy semen gushed from his engorged member, making a mess for himself to clean later. For now, the spent man needed to take a moment to catch his breath and stared lustfully at her candid image. It was sooner than he expected, but the plot Naraku had been designing for Kagome was going to be put in motion now. He relished at the idea of finally having her all to himself, smiling lazily and laughing darkly. "Mine…all mine."
"Eyes forward!" The sharp voice of their principal dance instructor called the attention of every student in the practice room. Boys and girls, all ranging in ages of fourteen to eighteen, had arrived early at six in the morning dressed in appropriate dance attire. They were all there for the same reasons, to get better at their craft and garner the attention of scouts and directors who could have a hand in elevating them to the next level. They had all been stretching and going through precise exercises to warm up, some idle chatter filling the quietness of the huge, mirrored room.
Kagome was training in the corner with Houjo, going through a few partnered exercises that involved him lifting her lithe form impressively. The two were seemingly lost in their own world as they whispered words of encouragement and criticism. When the principal instructor came in, demanding their attention, Kagome and Houjo rushed to the nearest barre, their muscles tight as they got into first position along with the other eager students. Everyone waited for him to speak again.
He was a short, middle age man with an Italian accent, but anyone who studied Ballet knew how much of a heavyweight he was in the dancing community. From the top of his head, he called out fifteen names, and fifteen bodies rushed towards the front of the room as others settled towards the back. The sounds of silk-clad feet scampering across a hardwood surface was the only noise. Kagome name had been called, and as she found her place at the front, she sent her glance upwards at the window just below the ceiling. Behind it was a small room which allowed onlookers to observe them without distraction. She knew who was in there, and became hyper-focused in order to impress them. With the click of a button on a very small remote, the dance room was suddenly filled with the sounds of a classic piano piece.
"It's Gershwin, so you must feel the music as you go through this routine. I did not come here to teach robots; I came to teach artists. So, show me your art." He began dramatically as the students took their first positions. "Slow plie…and stretch it out, yes allongé." As the students slowly bent their knees, ankles staggered with one in front of the other, their arms mimicked the motion gracefully. The demanding instructor stood before them with his watchful eyes darting from one student to the next. As the piano hit a sudden loud note, beginning an exciting melody that sounded jazz inspired, the students came alive with vigorous and precise ballet moves.
Kagome's body easily achieved the arabesque position, her straight back leg reaching an angle higher than ninety degrees while the other leg remained en pointe. With each hard note of the music, their teacher yelled out 'up with the accent!' and she perfectly executed arabesque after arabesque with a level of grace and passion not found in all of her peers. Some had their nerves and pain written all over their faces, something that should have been trained out of them by now. Kagome was in complete control of her body, which allowed her to dance with a certain degree of abandon.
"Down on the floor!" He called out, and fifteen bodies gracefully fell to the polished black floor in practiced uniformity. Rolling to their backs, their legs came up in a wide fan before they held a fetal positon for a beat. "Up!" The teacher demanded in time with the music, spurring them to come into a position on their hands and knees before rising back up onto their feet, only to lift their left light high into the air, forcing muscles to keep it as straight as possible. They gave a quick turn and lifted their arms parallel to the floor, the left being held across their chest, while they glided across the floor en pointe. The routine only grew more difficult from there, mixing both classic and contemporary ballet, and it was at this point that the instructor ceased all assistance and instead observed them as they went through the routine on their own.
Kagome was as much a stand out now as she had been on day one. Beyond her perfect physique and technical skill, there was a drive in her that made the girl push harder and longer than the rest. When on stage, she drew attention without even trying. But what really impressed the principal instructor was the way in which she held herself when off stage. She was kind and helpful, and possibly had the best student mentality he'd seen in a long time. If she wasn't demonstrating for younger students, she was learning from those older than herself. Those watching above took notice as well.
As the group came into their final position, freezing as the piano music stopped, there was a long moment of complete silence. All that could be heard was the heavy breathing of those who had just completed the rigorous routine. With an echoing, single clap of his hands, the instructor dismissed the group and began calling a new round of names to perform. Kagome returned to her place at the barre, her brow glistening with hard-earned sweat and a beautiful smile tugging at her lips, exposing the dimples at the center of her cheeks. Houjo stood behind Kagome, smiling warmly and offering support without the need for words.
Their time together was coming to an end soon, and it caused the seventeen-year-old incredible heartache. All of their spare time, which was incredibly rare, was spent in each other's company. They held hands, kissed, and embraced when emotions became too much to handle; but that was the furthest he would take things with her. Houjo knew Kagome wouldn't be ready to have sex in the short amount of time he had left, and accepted that as the mature adult he was. If they were meant to be together, fate would make it so. Until that time came, however, he would cherish every day that he had left with the amazing girl.
"Do you see her?" Izayoi's hushed words asked all who stood nearby. Inu-Taisho turned to her and smiled.
"Why are you whispering?" He asked her in a similar voice, poking fun at his adorable wife. She blushed and elbowed his side playfully.
"I can't wait to see her!" Ayame was nearly jumping out of her skin as she and Sango shared the task of holding the large welcome sign. They'd stayed up the night before decorating it with glitter and bright letters that read 'Welcome home, Kagome!'. There was a whole crowd waiting for Kagome at baggage claim; it consisted of Touga and Izayoi, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha, as well as Sango, Ayame, Miroku, and Kouga. They all knew that she was coming back without Houjo, which was the reason for such fanfare upon her return. Kagome's flight had touched down already and people were flooding the baggage claim in droves, so they were all training their eyes to spot Kagome's familiar face.
"Mom! Dad!" Surprisingly, Kagome appeared from behind the group and they all turned at once when her voice rose above the loud noise of other airline passengers. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she was wearing a pair of cut-off denim shorts and a sheer cotton blouse that dipped surprisingly low at the front. Thankfully, she was wearing a black camisole underneath that clung to her tight form. Over her shoulder, Kagome's trusted backpack hung and in one hand was her carry-on bag. As she ran towards her family and friends, they noticed some surprising changes.
Skin that had been pale before was now beautifully sun-kissed. Her hair had gained a bit of volume from the humid Texas weather, though it would most-likely straighten back down once she re-adjusted to the colder New York climate. However, those were cosmetic alterations that would return to normal with time; however, there was something else that wouldn't change back at all. Kagome had matured over the span of six weeks. It could be chalked up to a late growth-spurt, or maybe she consumed more milk than usual, but Kagome's feminine curves had finally caught up with her height and age. No longer did she resemble a bean-pole with a decent behind; now she had an admirably matured chest and hips that flared out from a wonderfully toned waist. They had expected a sullen-faced girl, but were surprised with a bright-eyed woman instead.
"Kagome!" Izayoi broke from the group and met Kagome in a tight embrace. The carry-on bag was forgotten as it hit the floor to allow Kagome to wrap her arms around Izayoi's neck. "Welcome back!" Soon joined by the rest, Kagome was smiling ear-to-ear as her friends and family took turns hugging her. Inu-Taisho drew Kagome in a warm embrace, kissing the top of her dark head and saying a grateful prayer for her safe return. Finally, his family was complete again.
"I missed you guys so bad. I need to know everything that happened while I was gone." Mostly directing this request towards Ayame and Sango, their eager planning to spend the last remaining days of summer together was cut short.
"We're all going out for dinner, so we can fill you in at the restaurant." Inu-Taisho looked down at his expensive wrist watch. "It's a quarter to six now. We'd best get your suitcase and head out. Sesshoumaru- ah…good you already got it." Everyone turned their attention to see the eldest Taisho brother holding onto Kagome's largest piece of luggage. "Let's rendezvous at the restaurant. Boys, get Kagome's bags." Sesshoumaru already had her heavy suitcase rolling behind him, leaving Inuyasha to get her carry-on bag. He hadn't gotten a chance to speak to her, which was good because there were no words that came to mind whenever he looked at the transformed girl. Resigning himself with a sigh, Inuyasha slung her carry-on bag over his shoulder and followed his friends towards the pick-up area outside.
Golden eyes opened for the umpteenth time that night, glancing at the digital clock that now read twelve-forty-five in the morning. Crap. Why couldn't he fall asleep?! Inuyasha groaned loudly, frustrated as he rolled over in his bed, and was unable to see a thing in his dark room. It was one of the few instances of his mind working over-time, and Inuyasha now understood the complaints his father used to have about being unable to fall asleep. However, his mind wasn't preoccupied with thoughts of trading stocks and other business related issues; Kagome was Inuyasha's only reason for staying awake.
Looking over at his closed door, Inuyasha tried to see through the wood, across the hall, and past her own door to see what she might be up to. Probably sleeping, as that was what normal people did at one in the morning. Sighing softly, Inuyasha figured a quick bite to eat might do something to help, and got up from his bed. Clad in just a pair of grey boxers, Inuyasha wasn't expecting to be caught in such a state of undress by anyone. He quietly left his room and descended the stairs, bare feet padding softly against hardwood flooring as he passed through the dark house. But something confused him; why was the kitchen light already on? To his knowledge, everyone else was asleep in their bed. Coming around the corner, Inuyasha saw that the fridge door was open, blocking his view of the person digging through the food. One look at their feet told him who it was though, as they had glittery blue nails and short, stubby toes.
"Trying to finish my leftovers already?" He broke the silence and was met with her satisfyingly surprised reaction. Kagome's mouth must have been full, because her gasp was followed by a terrible series of coughs. She stepped back from the fridge and let the door swing shut, revealing her dressed in a thin tank-top and a pair of blue pajama shorts. Her hair was down, hanging in dark waves past her shoulder blades and in front of her chest.
"Inuyasha! You scared me!" She hissed angrily, trying to keep her voice quiet, and pouted as she spooned another bite of ice cream. "I had a sweet tooth." She explained and moved towards the counter, only to hop up and sit on the edge. Inuyasha watched her move without a word, choosing instead to admire her figure that was on display. One thing he did miss was seeing Kagome in her shorts and tank tops. Swallowing his nerves, Inuyasha came forward and snatched the spoon from her hand.
"Share, fat-ass." He blurted out jokingly, grinning devilishly around the spoon when she reacted as expected. The tub of ice cream was sitting on her thigh, allowing the irritated girl to cross her arms under her ample chest.
"I'd share if you'd learn to ask nicely." Taking the spoon back, Kagome scooped a bite of the sweet substance and brought it up to her mouth. While she was distracted, Inuyasha took the chance to step closer until his hips were pressing into her knees. With the height that the counter gave her, Kagome was at eye-level with someone she usually had to look up to. She was suddenly very aware of his half-naked state and before she could resist, her eyes were examining him with an approving gleam. When did he get so buff? Surely six weeks wasn't enough time to bulk up so much. Maybe her mind was playing tricks. As Kagome swallowed around the metal spoon in her mouth, she looked up to meet Inuyasha's gaze.
"So, you had fun?" It was a safe question to test the waters. Reaching into the carton of ice cream, Inuyasha collected a dollop on his two fingers and brought it up to his mouth to sample. It would have disgusted Kagome before, but now she found it completely erotic. Her heart pounded hard and palms became sweaty at the sight of his lips covered in melted ice cream. Did he know what he was doing to her? She pulled the spoon out of her mouth before finally managing to answer him.
"Yeah. I mean you heard all my stories at dinner. It was a great trip." She tried to sound nonchalant and cool, but worried that she was coming off rude. Cracking a smile, Kagome tried to lighten the mood. "You should have seen me a week ago. This tan started out as a really bad sun-burn. Houjo's mom convinced me to go into one of those tanning beds and get a summer-glow for our final performance." Laughing at her own misfortune, Kagome took another bite of ice cream as she found herself replaying the memory in her mind. Inuyasha watched her, admiring the curve of her neck when she turned her head a certain way.
"You gonna be okay? I mean, about breaking up with Houjo." Eloquent as he ever was, Inuyasha didn't mince words with Kagome. But as soon as they left his mouth, he felt suddenly anxious for what she might say. He took his fingers and got another glob of ice cream to distract himself.
"Yeah. I'm more sad about losing my dance partner than my boyfriend." Her bittersweet tone brought Inuyasha's gaze back up to Kagome's somber face. She was obviously upset, but kept smiling for some reason. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I mean we were together for like…five years and I'm not sad about it. Does that make me a bad person?" She searched his face for reassurance, which Inuyasha was able to provide.
"If that's what makes someone bad, then I'm the worst person in the world. I broke up with Kikyou over the phone, gave her some bullshit excuse, and had to make Miroku give her stuff back. And I don't even care. So, no, you're not a bad person Kagome." His recounting of the breakup had Kagome laughing behind her hand, but she gave him a warning smile that he should feel worse for being so cavalier about breaking someone's heart; even if it was Kikyou's. Now that the conversation was finding an easy stride, she managed to relax and gathered more ice cream on her spoon.
"So, you gave Kikyou a bullshit excuse but what was the real reason for breaking up with her?" She asked curiously, and for some reason held the spoon for Inuyasha to feed from. The action caught him by mild surprise, but he wasn't going to pass up a chance to let her serve him. He opened his mouth and wrapped his lips around the spoon, dragging back and collecting the sweet treat against his tongue. Kagome held the spoon steady, which was a shock because all feeling left her body when she realized what had just happened. Inuyasha seemed reluctant to answer her, but she didn't have the voice to tell him to forget about the absurdly invasive question. Then, he spoke.
"You." It was a very simple answer, but its impact was substantial. Kagome's lips parted and her eyes widened. Did he really name her as the reason for breaking up with Kikyou?
"What do you mean?" She managed to get out, voice trembling. She dropped the spoon into the half-empty ice cream carton. The skin where the frozen container was sitting had become painfully numb from the prolonged contact, but Kagome didn't even notice it. Inuyasha was staring at her with an expression she'd never seen before. It made her get that butterfly sensation in the back of her stomach, a very new experience for the relatively inexperienced girl. Flashbacks of his drunken night filtered through Kagome's mind, but she reminded herself that he was completely sober and aware of what was going on.
"Kagome, I have feelings for you." He admitted softly, sounding just as nervous as she was. "I couldn't keep stringing Kikyou along when I was thinking about you whenever I was with her." Inuyasha was trapped in her blue gaze and found himself leaning in towards her. Bringing his hands forward, he braced himself by grasping the edge of the counter on either side of her thighs. Kagome naturally leaned back some, her chin lowering as she looked down bashfully.
"How-…when did-…What about-…" All these questions and more were running through Kagome's mind on an endless loop, but she couldn't manage to finish one before starting the next. She was obviously nervous, but not exactly pushing him away either. Encouraged by this, Inuyasha smiled softly and tilted his head.
"I don't know how, but I first noticed my feelings at the talent show. And as for everyone else, I don't know. I'm making this up as I go and I don't have all the answers. But," Inuyasha paused as he brought a hand up to touch the side of her smooth arm. Kagome shivered at the electrifying contact and forced herself to look him in the eye. The desire evident in his golden pools was powerful enough to knock the air out of her lungs. When Houjo had looked at her like that, the most Kagome felt was faint excitement; which paled in comparison to what she was experiencing now.
"But?" She repeated, hanging on his every word.
"The only thing that really matters is how you feel about me." Of course, Inuyasha had the answer already. It wasn't as if he'd forgotten about her words on prom night. They'd been honest and true, but she didn't even remember saying them, so it didn't count. Only when she admitted her feelings with a clear mind would he go any further. Kagome blushed deeply and brought a hand up to cover her nauseated stomach. He was telling her to spill her feelings, and though she knew his already, it was still a scary notion to lay herself bare like that. But Kagome considered his situation briefly, and knew he must be feeling incredibly vulnerable to be saying these things. Swallowing her nerves, Kagome finally allowed a smile to curl at her lips and nodded.
"I have feelings too…for you. I have feelings for you too, Inuyasha." That could not have come out more awkwardly, and Kagome hid her face in her hands. "Oh God." She was so embarrassed! How could he still consider being with her after such a botched response. Then, she heard him laughing. It was the most beautiful and sensual sound Kagome had ever heard, and she picked her red face back up to see him smiling at her. That alone was enough to cause her to smile and laugh along with him.
"You're such a dork." His tone was soft and affectionate, and Kagome closed her eyes in comfort when she felt his fingers glide up her arm, behind her shoulder, and around the back of her neck. She didn't want to think how he had garnered such skills, and instead focused on his feather-light touch that set fires across her skin. "Kagome." He wanted her watch, to see his reflection in her beautiful eyes that saw only him. Slowly, her dark lashes fluttered open and their heated gazes met. The space between them was just a few inches, as Inuyasha's hips were settled between her knees. The counter was the only thing preventing them from full-body contact.
"Inuyasha," His name sounded like heaven when it ghosted past her lips. This was it, there was no going back. Holding the back of her neck in his larger hand, Inuyasha held Kagome still as he closed the distance between them with a kiss. With both parties sober and fully aware, there was nothing stopping them now. Kagome's eyes slid shut once more as she moaned happily; this was how a kiss was supposed to make her feel. Her heart burst in a multitude of colors and everything faded into the background. Nothing was more important than being in Inuyasha's arms, and he felt the same way about her.
When Inuyasha felt Kagome's arms come up to circle around his neck, he smiled into the kiss and tilted his head for better access. Both of them parted their lips to allow curious tongues to taste the ice cream still clinging to their lips and sweetening their saliva. Arching her body, Kagome felt as if every nerve called out to be touched by his hands. Then there was a sharp coldness prickling the sensitive skin of her thigh, pulling her away from the kiss.
"Wha?" She looked down between them to see that the ice cream carton had fallen over onto the counter. And as it melted, some of the liquid substance spread across the counter to finally reach her skin. Flushed and panting from the intensity of the kiss, Kagome was grateful when Inuyasha sprang into action. He was effected by the experience as well, but was able to gather his wits enough to clean up the mess. As he moved across the kitchen, Kagome watched with half-lidded eyes. Her mind was made up already that this was the night. Unconcerned with how she may feel in the morning, Kagome had an itch that needed scratching, and Inuyasha was the only one up to the task. "Inuyasha." She whispered softly as he tossed the dirty rag back into the sink. He looked at her finally and grinned.
"Yes, Kagome?" He extended the syllables of her name, making a chill run up her spine. Inuyasha resumed his place between her legs and put his hands at her waist, feeling curves that had always called out to him, but remained forbidden territory. In turn, Kagome's unsure hands came up to touch the pectoral muscles that made her mouth water.
"I'm ready. I want you to be my first and I want it now." Resolved with her decision, Kagome didn't give Inuyasha a chance to refuse. She straightened her back and craned her neck in order to kiss him first, emboldened by desire. Only glad to return the kiss, Inuyasha sucked her bottom lip between his and teasingly ran his tongue over the sensitive skin. She was like putty in his hands, wilting and calling out to his masculine needs. Though, before he went further, Inuyasha had to be sure of something. After enjoying the kiss for a few more seconds, he reluctantly pulled back and caught his breath.
"Kagome, are you sure? You can't tell me that and then later take it back. I want to do it with you too, but only if you're really sure about it." His words were careful and serious, drawing Kagome back to reality. She searched his face for something, not saying anything for quite a while, but Inuyasha was fine with waiting. He wouldn't rush her, despite how badly he wanted to.
"I won't, I promise. This is what I want. But," Kagome looked around the kitchen and grinned sheepishly. "Maybe not in the kitchen." Remembering exactly where they were, Inuyasha had to agree.
"Come on, I know where we can go." He told her softly and helped Kagome down from the counter. Their hands were joined, and did not separate, as Inuyasha took Kagome to the sitting room. They could not risk going to either of their bedrooms, not with so many chances of being caught. Turning on one of the antique lamps, the colored glass shade cast a faint orange glow inside the room. Kagome stood at the center as she watched Inuyasha throw a blanket over the beautiful love seat. "Come here," He motioned after he sat back, holding his hand out for Kagome. His handsome smile put her at ease, and she placed her hand in the palm of his.
"I'm nervous." She admitted shyly, sitting stiffly next to him while her hands fiddled with the hem of her shorts. Inuyasha had to remind himself that Kagome was the polar opposite of Kikyou, and his approach had to be catered to meet her needs for comfort and reassurance. Lacing their fingers together, the eighteen-year-old drew upon wells of compassion and sensitivity he didn't know existed.
"That's okay. I was too my first time. It'll pass." With slow words and a low voice, Inuyasha was glad to see Kagome beginning to relax. She let out a short breath and looked up to him, leaning in to feel his skin against hers. "Here, do this." He gently guided Kagome to sit in his lap, her bum settling between his knees as her legs bent at the knees over his left thigh. His arm came around to support her back, drawing her closer to his body, while the other hand found its place on her knee. "Is this okay?" He asked patiently. Kagome nodded as she lifted her arm to curl around his neck before initiating another kiss. This time it was slower, softer, and designed help her relax.
For a while, Kagome was happy to lose herself in his wonderful kiss. But then as her body relaxed, she allowed her legs to part and his hand began gliding along the inside of her thigh. It sent small ripples of electricity across her skin the higher he went up her leg. Still locked in a gentle kiss, Kagome shifted so that she could lean back a little more and parted her legs, silently giving Inuyasha the permission he needed. His fingers traced the outline of her pajama shorts as it clung to her firm leg, and then dipped his fingers under the fabric. He felt Kagome's muscles tighten and heard her sharp intake of air, and kept his hand where it was. Their kiss came to a stop and he pulled back to see what was going on for her.
"Kagome?" He seemed concerned, which melted Kagome's heart even more. She breathed deeply and shook her head to dismiss whatever his worries were.
"Don't stop," She requested softly, and allowed her left leg to hang off the edge of the deeply set couch while her right pulled in the opposite direction. Completely open and vulnerable, Kagome leaned in to kiss Inuyasha again, growing addicted to being so near him, and then she waited. Inuyasha put his trepidation to rest and continued his search for the apex of her legs. When his fingertips brushed along the inside curve of her hip, he realized that she wasn't wearing any panties. The thought did much to stir his own desire, which was now pressing into her back indiscreetly. But his needs would be met last, because tonight was about her. Kagome shivered as Inuyasha continued running his fingers across her most private of places, and she was so glad that she had trimmed and shaved earlier that evening.
**THE LEMON STARTS HERE. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ IT, SKIP IT.**
Inuyasha brought his hand to the front of her mound and let his index finger slide along the folds of Kagome's entrance. He could already feel her wetness, proving that her body was eagerly anticipating what was to come. Gently he pushed past her outer-lips and allowed his finger to glide along the warm, slick inside before pushing all the way into her. Kagome arched her body and gasped into their kiss when his finger brushed past the peak of her entrance. Knowing he'd found her hidden jewel, Inuyasha let his finger circle it teasingly, pulling lustful moans and sighs from the beautiful girl in his lap.
"Inuyasha," She pulled back from the kiss and let her head fall against his broad shoulder, unable to focus on anything other than her own pleasure. Grinning proudly, Inuyasha could feel her getting more wet due to his ministrations and knew it was time to prepare her. His fingers pushed in deeper, easily finding the source of her sweet juices, and slowly slid one finger into her tight cavern. Kagome's blunt nails dug into his skin as she moaned again, her mouth teasing his neck with hot breathes. After pulling out and pushing back in a few times, he introduced a second finger and noted the discomfort that flickered across her flushed face.
"Just relax, Kagome." He whispered softly. Knowing that she needed to be reminded how good it could feel, Inuyasha used his thumb to roll across her sensitive bud while the two fingers inside of her curled. They found a bundle of nerves that made her buck involuntarily.
"Oh! God do that again!" She begged softly. Her delicate hands pawed at Inuyasha's shoulder and chest as he moved his fingers and thumbs faster, finding the perfect synchronization that quickly had her gasping and arching like a veritable sex kitten. It was the most erotic thing he'd ever seen, causing him to nearly cum from the sight alone. "It's too much," She whispered desperately, but showed no sign of desire for him to stop. "I can't take it!" Her legs began to tremble, signaling her rapidly approaching orgasm, and Inuyasha didn't relent.
"Yes you can. Trust me." He was trying not to laugh, though it wasn't meant to shame her; he was simply amused by how she thought this was the most intense part of having sex. It was endearing and charming in his opinion. "Don't scream, Kagome." He warned playfully, already knowing that she was going to be a vocal partner. A few seconds later, Kagome's body was wracked with the most powerful sense of euphoria she had ever experienced, forcing her to cover her mouth as she gasped and cried out during each wave of her first orgasm. Her juices coated Inuyasha's hand, but he kept his fingers in place until he felt Kagome finally relax around them. When he did pull them out, she trembled and moaned again.
After allowing her a minute or so to come down from her sexual high, Inuyasha chuckled softly as she finally opened her eyes and blushed. Only in private had she indulged in touching herself down there, and now he was handling her as if he knew her body better than she did.
"Well? How was it?" He asked teasingly, earning a swat to the chest. Kagome moved to sit back up in his lap, as she had somehow shifted into a reclined position.
"Don't tease me." She mumbled, gasping when her core throbbed and sent a jolt through her body. Inuyasha knew what was going on for her and ran his hand across the flat plane of her stomach. He could tell that she wasn't wearing a bra under the tank top and had to fight the urge to assault her finally developed breasts with his mouth.
"So, there is only one thing left." He mused quietly into her ear, nuzzling into her graceful neck. Kagome swallowed nervously.
"I know…but I don't know what to do." She admitted bashfully and closed her eyes from the ridicule that had to reflect in his own. Instead, there was a gentle touch on her cheek and a kiss placed against her shoulder.
"You're going to stand up and take off your clothes, and I will too. We'll take this one step at a time." Assuming the dominant role, Inuyasha had no issue with taking charge and leading Kagome by the hand through her first sexual experience. Once they were both standing, watching each other by the light of the antique lamp, Inuyasha made the first move. He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his boxers and bent over as he pushed them down his muscular legs until they pooled around his feet. He stepped out of the crumpled garment and allowed Kagome to unabashedly study his body.
It was her first exposure to a fully nude man, and it was just Kagome's luck that it was with someone as gorgeous as Inuyasha. She'd always wondered what he might look like underneath all his clothes, but imagination didn't do justice to the genuine article. His hair was being held up in a lose bun, but a few wild sections had escaped and gave him a rather feral appearance. When her curious eyes finally took in the sight of his erect length, she quickly looked away. Rather than be offended, Inuyasha reacted with humor.
"Am I that disgusting?" He questioned playfully, moving to sit back on the love seat. Inuyasha wasn't ashamed of his naked form; he'd worked hard to achieve such a physique and didn't mind being looked at. Kagome didn't respond though, and instead wrapped her arms around her body as insecurities reared their ugly head.
"No, but I'm afraid you'll think I am." She admitted shamefully. Kagome radiated vulnerability and fear, but Inuyasha simply shook his head.
"There's no way in Hell that I'd ever think you're disgusting. Kagome, you're fucking sexy without even having to try." The words were effective in dispensing most of her insecurities. No one had ever called her sexy before, at least not to her face. She was always beautiful or cute, but neither word made her feel desirable. Slowly, she began to peel the tank top from her body, lifting it above her head and dropping it to the floor without a care. After Kagome shook out her unruly black tresses, she looked at Inuyasha in hopes of seeing his approval. Written clearly on his face, it was evident by the way he shifted and licked his lips that he found her more than just attractive. Her nipples hardened in the cool air and goosebumps rose all along her chest and down her arms. Mimicking his actions, Kagome allowed the pajama shorts to gather at her feet before daintily stepping to the side, left with nothing to hide her from his roving gaze. Kagome's natural inclination was to cover herself modestly, but Inuyasha shook his head when her hands began to move into place.
"I've been thinking about this for months, Kagome. I won't let you hide your body from me. I love your body." It was a very true statement. Kagome's body was toned and built for dancing, looking very dissimilar to Kikyou's naked form. While Kikyou had been voluptuous and well-developed, Kagome was incredibly slender and delicate. Her muscles were finely toned, especially her legs, and he could see her strength lying dormant. The more recent development of her chest and hips were just an added bonus, not the defining aspect that attracted Inuyasha to her.
"I love your body too," She said with a soft laugh and took a few steps towards Inuyasha. He smiled and took Kagome's hand, guiding her to straddle his waist. Her knees rested on either side of his hips, and she sat back on the top of his thighs.
"Are you ready?" He asked tenderly, bringing one hand around her waist to draw her forward. Kagome held her breath as she felt his length brush against her thigh, but did not back down. She held onto his shoulders and nodded firmly, taking controlled breathes to calm her racing heart. Inuyasha noticed and leaned in to kiss her again, knowing that it would distract her until she could calm down enough to move on. Kagome hunched her shoulders as she brought her hands up to cup his face, returning the kiss with all passion and desire she could muster. It made Inuyasha's mind reel and his hand traveled across her back, memorizing her every valley and hill as if this were the only chance to do so.
Once they were both fully charged with sexual energy, Inuyasha took a gentle hold of Kagome's hips with his right hand. He didn't speak as he guided her to lift up some, and with his left hand he positioned his weeping manhood to slide into her. Realizing he hadn't taken the time to get a condom, Inuyasha looked up into Kagome's anxious face.
"I'll pull out, okay?" She nodded softly and held on tightly to his shoulders. Kagome was glad Inuyasha remembered that crucial aspect, because her mind was more focused on the feeling of his tip pressing against her slick folds. Running the head along her entrance, it easily slipped inside and found the place it was designed to sink into. Kagome's muscles flexed as she bit her bottom lip, waiting for the pain that Ayame and Sango described as terrible and long-lasting. Slowly, Inuyasha allowed Kagome to set the pace as he guided her hips down. Inch by excruciating inch, he could feel himself sliding into her impossibly tight cave. His resolve to not pound up into her was slipping, but he heard Kagome whimper and knew it would have to wait.
It did hurt, though not as badly as expected. Having his impressive length stretching her was a strange feeling, but she was slowly beginning to adjust to his size. There were only a few inches left before he was completely sheathed inside of her, so Kagome decided she'd be able to handle it and jerked her hips down. Pain tore through her that made Kagome hunch over and cover her mouth before a long cry could alert the slumbering people upstairs. Why had she decided to be so brave?! It hurt so badly! Tears rolled down Kagome's cheeks and she trembled against Inuyasha's body.
He was initially taken by surprise by the abrupt downward motion of her hips, then was sent rolling in the euphoric sensation of being inside her without a condom to hinder him. But her pained cry and shuddering body woke Inuyasha from his own pleasurable haze. He wrapped his arms around her naked body, knowing that this part was causing her extreme discomfort and pain.
"Ssh, ssh, ssh…Kagome I'm sorry. I know it hurts but in a few minutes it'll feel better. We can just sit here til it stops hurting." He whispered against her shoulder, kissing the tanned skin while his hands traced soothingly across her back. It did indeed take a minute before she could catch her breath and stop crying. Kagome was afraid to move, however, and buried her head into the crook of Inuyasha's neck.
"Just do it, Inuyasha. Make it stop hurting." She begged softly, hoping he knew something that could ease the pain. Kagome felt him nod, and then there were hands on her hips, pushing her body upwards and forcing his length to pull out of her some. The friction caused a new wave of pain to rip through her, and Kagome forced herself to swallow the tears in lieu of trusting Inuyasha. When he pulled her back down into his lap, the unpleasantness was significantly less. And with her lingering wetness to serve as lubricant, Inuyasha was quickening the pace with each downward pull of her hips.
Eventually, all of Kagome's pains were replaced by soul-shattering pleasure. She'd never felt so complete, so full, as when Inuyasha's member pushed all the way inside of her. Kagome was able to lean back now, causing a new angle for their partnered thrusting, and braced herself up with her hands on his knees. As she rocked her hips against him, Kagome's mouth fell open to allow a short moan to escape each time their bodies collided. In this position, Inuyasha had a complete view of Kagome's beautiful body as she bounced in his lap with reckless abandon. He watched, mesmerized, as her perfectly formed breasts jumped with each motion, teasing and enticing him beyond measure. She was no longer acting as the shy virgin, but was a now a very enthused and confident participant.
"yeah, yeah, oh God! Inuyasha!" She whimpered hotly, throwing her head back as he began slamming her down after each upward pull. Lights and colors played tricks behind her closed eyes, and with each passing second the coil inside of Kagome tightened more and more. Kagome picked her head back up and gazed upon Inuyasha's gorgeous face, which was contorted into a hard, sexual expression that told her he was getting close to his own release.
"Kagome, I'm getting close." He warned through gritted teeth. Inuyasha kept up the pace of their thrusting and looked up at her when she managed to respond between gasping breaths.
"Yes! – don't stop! I – I'm gonna - Ahhh~!" Her voice seemed to sing the arrival of her second orgasm, which caused Kagome's hot, wet walls to tighten amazingly around his member. Inuyasha's eyes rolled as he suddenly pulled her off of him, just in time for him to stroke the heated appendage a few times before he found his release as well. Erupting between them, ropes of white essence dripped across his and Kagome's heaving chests. She watched curiously as some of it continued to leak out, rolling over the curve of the tip and down his throbbing shaft. Once the two had a chance to catch their breath, realization of what had just transpired began to settle on their shoulders.
**END OF LEMON. YOU CAN RESUME READING HERE.**
Kagome stared down at Inuyasha's exhausted face, smiling softly at the sight of his eyes shut in rapture and mouth hanging open. A sense of womanly pride swelled within her momentarily, and she leaned forward to plant a chaste kiss to his cheek. The sweet gesture got him to crack open one eye, and a lazy smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. Kagome bit her lip as she matched his smile, and looked down between them to see the mess that had been left. To the right of the loveseat was a table, and on it a convenient box of tissues. Kagome reached over to pull out two sheets and gently began cleaning up the proof of his orgasm. Inuyasha's erection was beginning to soften as it fell across his thigh, and Kagome tried not to stare at it too much.
"Was I good?" She asked once the job of cleaning up had been completed. Inuyasha didn't respond verbally, but he did wrap his arms around her in order to pull Kagome into a tender embrace. She smiled and hid her face in his shoulder, happy to remain there for the rest of her life.
"You were absolutely perfect. Holy shit." Inuyasha was breathless as he spoke. Who knew that the timid virgin would so readily turn into a wily temptress? It brought a giddy smile to his face, especially considering that he intended to do this many more times with her; in many more positions and locations too.
"Thank you for being so patient with me. You were amazing." Kagome spoke very softly as she left trailing kisses along his neck and jawline, stroking Inuyasha's manly ego and inflating it to dangerous proportions. When he opened his eyes, the eighteen-year-old spotted a clock above the fire place. It was almost three in the morning! Sighing sadly, he hated that the blissful post-coitus moment had to be cut short. "Kagome, we need to go upstairs." Giving her outer-thigh a playful smack, which elicited a delighted squeal from Kagome, Inuyasha waited until she stood up before rising from the couch as well. The two made a quick job of getting dressed and rearranging the room as it had been before.
"Okay, its fine. Come on." Inuyasha took Kagome's hand and led her away from the sitting room, turning the light off on their way out. She tossed the soiled tissues into the first trashcan they passed by, and ignored the aching in her center as they quietly ascended the stairs. Relieved to see that no one had woken up yet, the two slipped into Kagome's bedroom for a few last moments together. Once her door was shut, Inuyasha had the younger girl pressed up against it, his hand on her cheek as he melded their lips together. Her own hands found their place behind his neck, refusing to let Inuyasha pull back until she was good and ready for the kiss to end. Not once in her entire relationship with Houjo had Kagome been so giddy and excited, and she was relieved to discover that she was even capable of such intense emotions.
"So, what do we do now?" She whispered softly into the space between them. Her dark room was lit up by the moon outside her window, but there was only darkness as Inuyasha hid her in his shadow. Kagome looked up at Inuyasha's darkened face with uncertain hope. He was currently playing with the strands of her hair that had curled around his finger.
"I was thinking we just keep it all a secret. I'm not ready for everyone to know about us. Especially when we don't know what we are yet." Kagome had to agree with him. If they were going to do this, it was going to require careful planning and believable acting on both their parts.
"So we're gonna sneak behind everyone's backs and lie to them when they start asking questions?" She didn't seem bothered by the idea, though her tone told Inuyasha she was hesitant. Smiling slyly, he leaned down to begin kissing her neck, pulling a soft gasp from Kagome.
"It's our sexy secret that no one will know about. Think about how fun it will be to try and not get caught." His reasoning was logical enough to convince Kagome, and she bit back laughter as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, still enjoying his exploratory mouth.
"Okay, I'm in." She acquiesced and laughed when Inuyasha suddenly lifted her off the ground and carried her to the bed. "What are you doing?" She whispered excitedly, when suddenly she was dropped onto the bed.
"Tucking you in, of course." Inuyasha grinned as he watched Kagome pull the covers over her body. He could tell that she was getting tired, and he needed to get at least an hour of sleep before he had to get ready for work. Part of him wanted to remain in Kagome's room, snuggled up close and enjoying her comforting presence; though that was a surefire way of getting caught. So, he settled for a final kiss goodnight. By the time he was across the hall and in his room, Kagome had already fallen asleep.
Inuyasha collapsed onto his bed and instantly felt the familiar pull of fatigue and sleepiness on his conscious mind. He was going to be very tired and cranky in the morning, but it was worth it because everything else was right in his world.