I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

Orange Eyes...ch17

She rode the breeze. It eased around her, through her. It was an awesome feeling to be one with the wind; to be able to shift with the currents and ride the breeze. It had happened on instinct, and she was uncertain if she'd be able to do it again. But Kirara needed her, and deep inside she knew that time was slipping away.

She could feel Naraku's excitement, his hunger; a deep need that drove him to hunt what his body craved. She could feel the deep pleasure that thrummed through him; an intoxicating mixture of excitement, adrenalin, and need.

Below her she could see Shippo running like Death itself was on his heels; a moment later he was gone. She pressed further, urging the wind to carry her faster. She was getting close; she could smell Kirara's fear dampening the air, and she could smell her blood.

Kirara's scream split the night, and seconds after, it died just as quickly. The scent of her fear consumed the peace of the forest, and Kagome prayed that she could get there in time.

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He watched silently her body pulling itself from the twisted remains of the car. She was bleeding heavily, and she smelled wonderful. She stood on shaky legs, and he wondered if she'd run. He hoped so. He hadn't felt the thrill of a good chase in some time.

While he didn't have long before the sun came over the horizon, he would still have time for a good chase. She wouldn't last long; and adrenalin laced blood always left him with a high he was certain to enjoy. He stepped onto the highway, and sneered when her orange gaze found him. She was lovely for a human wench, and the color of her eyes was intriguing. He'd never seen a human sport eyes in that particular shade, a fiery orange that glowed in the night. But it wouldn't matter in the end; he'd watch the life drain from those eyes soon enough. Long white hair framed a pale, angelic face. The lower layer of hair was black, a stark contrast to the white that covered it, but it was her eyes that continued to hold his attention.

Then it happened; she ran, disappearing into the tree line and heading deeper into the forest. Ahh- and in the wrong direction no less. How perfect.

He hunted; like a cat after a prairie mouse, his feet barely stirring the leaves beneath him.

He smiled when she came into view again, her hand still clutching that silly wooden bat. A moment later she disappeared, but it was nothing to worry over.

She could run, but she couldn't hide.

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Blood stung her vision, her eyes watering in response. Her lungs burned, and her body ached. Her fear, and instinct drove her harder. Was this how deer felt when hunter's penetrated the forest?

She stopped for only a moment, her legs unsteady beneath her. Blinking to clear her vision, she looked around her. She was lost. The mansion was to faraway, her only hope for salvation sleeping soundly within its brick walls. Snapping twigs behind her had her surging forward, but not before something caught her by the throat yanking her backward into a hard chest.

" As I said before. Welcome to Hell."

She shuddered at the raw hate lacing those words. Pain lanced through her throat, her body beginning to shut down in the first stages of shock. She screamed when he pushed her away, and she stumbled forward. Unable to catch herself, she fell to her knees. Turning toward her attacker she winced with the sudden movement. She was sure to die tonight, but she'd face her death head on; she was no coward.

Naraku watched for only a moment before launching forward picking the woman up by her shoulders and slamming her hard into a tree. He could hear his claws tearing her flesh, and the breath as it tore from her lungs. The scent of her blood seduced him, gnawed at him.

Raising his hand he forced her head aside to expose her pale neck, her blood pulsing wildly within it.

Her long white hair clung to her skin. He leaned in closer, his nose brushing the strands from her neck, his tongue darting out to taste her sweat-coated flesh. Something tingled in his subconscious, but it wasn't until he heard her voice that he pulled away, the human in his grasp trembling within his crushing embrace.

" Let her go Naraku."

Turning, Naraku's smile stretched wider, fierce fangs glistening in the damp night air. There stood a goddess dressed in a nearly sheer satin robe, and he wondered briefly what she wore beneath it. Long raven hair fell over her shoulders, her eyes piercing his own.

" Ah. It seems you have found me my dear...Kagome, isn't it?"

" I said, let her go!"

" Now why on Earth would I want to do that? I just barely caught her. Doesn't she smell wonderful? Can you hear it Kagome; the wild beat of her heart, the way her blood pulses through her veins? "

" You don't want her." Kagome stood motionless, her eyes never leaving the hollow of his. What was she doing? She couldn't possibly take on this monster. But she had too. She had to get him to let Kirara go. But how?

" Oh? On the contrary I believe I do." Naraku snarled, his claw opening a small gash in the woman's flesh. He delighted in her reaction: the rush of breath that filled her lungs; the scent of fresh tears sliding down her terrified face. But he hadn't expected her to speak, her words stunning him briefly before knowledge filled eyes found Kagome's once again.

" Run...Kagome. Please!"

" You two know each other? Is this why you wish for the woman's release?"

Kagome forced herself to step closer.

" I said to let her go Naraku."

" Or what Kagome, hmm?" Naraku hissed, his anger growing.

Kagome smiled, her behavior changing as she took yet another step closer. " She isn't what you want, is she Naraku. "

" I think she'll do just fine." he snorted, his eyes watching the way Kagome's personality shifted. No longer was she a simple, scared female. Instead she seemed almost malicious in her intent to save the female he still held in his grasp.

" Let her GO!" Kagome hissed. " It's her blood, or mine. "

In movement he hadn't expected Kagome's clawed finger moved to her wrist, and he watched in silent admiration the way it sliced cleanly into the flesh. Red heaven slid over her skin dripping faster and faster down her hand and fingers before splashing messily to the ground at her feet.

" Like I said, her blood or mine, though it would seem that my blood would have far more to offer you. Tell me. What's it been like all these years in the dark? What's it like to watch the sun crest the horizon to warm the land, and yet remain unable to bear its heat on your skin? How long did Midioriko's blood give you before you were thrown into darkness again?

How stupid did you feel when you realized that you'd killed the one source that could preserve your ability to withstand the sunlight on your flesh? A week perhaps? A month?"

Kagome sneered at the weak being before her. She watched his eyes gaze hungrily at her wrist, and closed her hand forcing the blood to move more swiftly.

" Her blood or mine Naraku? Don't take to long in your decision. Life drains quickly, and I can already feel mine ebbing away. "

In a movement so swift it left her stunned; she found Naraku standing before her, Kirara falling to her knees behind him. She tried to fade into the wind, but he caught her before her transformation was complete. He pushed her backward, only stopping when they were more sheltered in the tree line.

Her hand moved to push him away, her flesh meeting the skin if his chest. In a blur of sight she could see the man he'd been. She saw the faces of those he'd killed, heard their screams echo through her mind. Vaguely she could feel him grasp her hand, feel it raise up, his mouth closing over the open wound. His memories coursed through her, every image, every dream; the things he'd seen, and all that he'd learned.

A growl tore through the air, and through hazy vision she saw Naraku forced away. She felt his surprise, then his anger. Red fur stood between them, and her mind finally grasped something tangible. Shippo. He was protecting her, protecting Kirara. But for how long?

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I am evil-no? So sorry for the cliffy-again. Forgive me?

I want to thank each of you for your reviews. I haven't had time to answer them, and for that I appologise, but I have read each one and I am happy you all are still enjoying.

The drama shall continue- I hope you all don't mind. Please let me know what you all think so far- even if you are new to the story. I love hearing from each of you, and I can't wait to hear what you thought of this chapter. I am sorry it is shorter than normal, but time limits me. I've had this written for about a week now, and I had planned on adding more, but I am having a hard time making writing time, so I thought I'd at least get this posted so you all had something new to read for the weekend. If you are new to the story, please don't hesitate to let me know what you think, and for those who have stood behind me for so long now- thank you! It is your reviews and constant support and encouragement that keep me focused on getting chapters up for this story.

I am planning to sit down with the next chapter tonight and tomorrow as I am on vacation- and hopefully I can post again soon. I am pleased to let you all know that I have now received 181 story alerts, 149 favs, 36,500 hits, and I hit 700!!! reviews for this story. I can not tell you how wonderful this has made me feel, and how proud I am to be able to entertain you all. Do you think each of you could review for me? Ahh- now I'm just getting greedy, huh. Lol, but I just love hearing from you guys. You spoil me..lol. I shall curb my greed and remain thankful for any that are sent my way. You honor me with your kindness, and it is that which I enjoy the most...Love you all!!

Hope to hear from you all again soon.

Neisha