A/N: Thank you to AzaraRubie for pointing out a mistake in the first chapter. What I meant to say was 'Nee-chan' not 'Nii-chan'.... ::sweat drop:: Thank you for pointing that out!
Dedication: This fanfiction is dedicated to Ria-chan, my little sis and best friend. She proof read this chapter and the last one. But most important of all, she believes me in, which is why I posted this fic and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you Ria-chan! Love you lots, sweetie!
Disclaimer: As you all may know, I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters. They belong to their creator Rumiko Takahashi and on these grounds you still have no right to sue me, so there.
Thank you: A special thanks to the following people for reviewing my first chapter: Ria-chan (she was the very, very first seeing that I sent it to her for an opinion), Shokora no Sakuhen, Embury, lyn, inuschopstiks (cute name by the way), Silver Rain Drops, kawaii-arula, inu-kaglover45, Malitia, AzaraRubie, dragrdr, Alarnia (she was the first to submit a review, so a big thank you to her!)
Chapter 2: Beginning
Across her face his breath caressed and his claws came to lie on her throat, pricking the delicate skin slightly. The cuts left thin rivers of blood trailing and disappearing into her shirt. A small sob burst from her lips as his fingers tightened around her neck.
Please, stop...
In that instant, more than anything Kagome wanted desperately to live. Her hands weakly grasped his and tried to pry them off, clawing at them, ripping at them, to no avail. The creature's iron grip was latched around her throat too tightly and with only a few twists of his fingers, he had wrestled away her own hands until they were clasped above her head. His smug face came closer to hers and as the darkness began to overtake her, something inside Kagome's body glowed, pulsated with growing energy. Warmth spread over her and a power that had been unknown to her began to seep out. A frown crossed the demon's forehead when he felt what was happening to the girl and his fingers loosened somewhat. Just as quickly as it had come, the power slowly faded into the farthest corners of her soul.
Long moments passed with Kagome feeling no more pain. Gradually she began to breathe in the night air, if only a little. She cautiously lifted one eyelid and found the attacker leaning forward, his nose inches away from hers, then falling. She stiffened in fright when he pressed his head into her neck; his nose tickled the column of her throat seductively as she heard the faint sounds of him inhaling. He was...smelling her?
She smells wonderful, like a field of wildflowers... She is...human?!
He jumped back suddenly, his eyes wide and Kagome met his piercing gaze, gasping for the air around her. An uncomfortable silence filled the space between them, broken only by the crickets' high song. Neither one moved, fearing that the tiniest movement might scare the other away. But they regarded one another with a shared interest and a mixture of fear.
"You...? You are a mortal?" he whispered in a rich voice laced with arrogance. Not trusting herself to speak, Kagome nodded dumbly.
He crouched away, almost looking ashamed. "I am truly sorry for attacking you. I hope you can forgive me."
Kagome merely stared in disbelief. He had just apologized to her, as mannerly and courteous as if he was a normal human being. Beyond the sheltered protection of the trees, a small breeze was starting and it soon turned into a light wind. Kagome could hear the gentle rustle of the trees' emerald leaves; she silently implored them for their strength.
Using all the courage she could muster, Kagome faltered, "W-Who are you?" He stared at her warily and the look in those eyes told her that he was judging her. It did not seem that he would answer; he looked like he would run at any minute.
He shrugged nonchalantly though, apparently seeing no harm in telling her and finally said, "I am Inuyasha. What are you known by, m'lady?" Kagome tucked her legs beneath her, becoming strangely at ease and unconfused by his presence. She knew she should fear for her life, but if he intended to kill her he would have already done so when he had the chance.
"My name is Kagome, Kagome Higurashi. Where are you from, Inuyasha? I have been to this garden many times before and I think I would have remembered someone like you," she invited. The scene before her clashed with the logical reasoning of her mind and she found herself adding suspiciously, "Or are you a dream?"
"A dream?" said Inuyasha surprised. This human was so strange that he found himself laughing slightly at her assumption.
A hurt look crossed her face and Kagome cried, "Hey, what are you laughing at?! What is so funny?" She had been terrified, crying for her life and her predator sat before her laughing. Laughing! However, the worst of Kagome's frustration and fear was past and she laughed alongside him. Relief washed through her, as peals of mirth swept through her body. To Inuyasha's wonder, he discovered that her laugh was musical in its own simplicity. As if it had been centuries since she had laughed out loud. It was much like his.
Without thinking, Inuyasha reached forward and touched a finger to her neck. He captured a small drop of blood and held it up for her to see, "Would a dream have done this to you, little one?" The look of amusement on his face switched to a grim one as he realized what he had done to her. From the pocket of his pants he produced a cloth and gently wiped at the remaining blood, hoping to stop the bleeding. He mentally scolded himself for attacking one as harmless as her. Kagome could feel his apprehension, his regret at the abrasions inflicted upon her.
Her eyes softened at his concern for her well-being. Kagome tried to reassure him, "Please, Inuyasha. I'm all right. These wounds are nothing and besides, they really don't hurt anymore," she rushed. She caught his hand and held it momentarily to her heart, the look in her eyes begging him to believe her. He smiled softly and withdrew his hand from her grip. He settled into the grass, staring at her thoughtfully. On his face was a look of amusement and not of malice. Kagome wondered suddenly why she could talk so openly with him. Maybe he could be the one to ease the pain of her loneliness and sorrow.
Without consideration, she blurted out, "Do you want to be friends, Inuyasha?" Inuyasha stared at her for a moment. Kagome, for some reason unknown to her, blushed under his intense gaze. She lowered her eyes and focused on her tightly clenched hands. Her fingernails dug into her palms and she released them slightly. She could not think of one single reason to why she had asked such a question. Why would he want someone like her to talk to? There was another pause of silence before Inuyasha answered her.
"You really want to be friends with me, Kagome?" he asked hesitantly.
"Why do you sound so surprised?" Kagome returned, truly confused now. He sounded as if the thought was too farfetched to comprehend.
He ran a hand roughly through his silver hair, searching for the right words to explain himself. This human had caught him off guard with her request. Everything about her puzzled him. "What I meant was... You are not disgusted by me? You sit here unafraid of what I am, of what I almost did to you and it makes no sense to me," he replied. He watched her take his words to heart to see if he could read the thoughts running through her mind.
"Honestly, I am a bit scared, but you intrigue me. If I were to mistrust you, then you would be on your guard. I don't want that to happen. I want you to trust me now," she reasoned. Kagome's face lit up with a gorgeous smile that made Inuyasha's heart leap. Tilting his head to the side, he studied the young woman in front of him. She seemed to be made up of many emotions that came out at the most unexpected times. Inuyasha couldn't understand these humans. One minute they were frightened and the next laughing or smiling. But he found it enjoyable.
His heart was at peace around her; an emotion that he had not experienced in a long time. But anxiety still leaked into his mind. Inuyasha's eyes swam through Kagome's, trying to find some motive for her kindness. The world had taught him many times that nothing ever came for free. However, nothing was hidden in the oceans that were her eyes, no shadows or guilt at what she had told him. The though that there was sincerity in her words rather than lies unnerved and frightened him. A feeling that he would not forget. Or forgive so easily.
Closing his eyes, Inuyasha reluctantly undid the spell that he had placed over himself before coming to the human world. He was going to test Kagome on her feelings to discourage this trust that she seemed to place in him. Kagome curiously watched Inuyasha; he had become quiet and she had sensed him withdraw from her a little. A tiny light shining from above attracted Kagome's attention. Her eyes swept up and to Kagome's delight, a pair of small dog-like ears appeared on the crown of his head. A childish smile crossed her face and she just wanted to touch them to see how soft they actually were.
Kagome rested herself on her knees and slipped her arms forward, fully intending to caress them. The look in Inuyasha's eyes stopped her halfway there. His expression had become solemn as he awaited her response. As she looked at him once more, she realized what his true form really was. Swallowing softly she sat back embarrassed at her actions. Twisting the grass between her fingers she managed to choke out, "You are a half-demon, aren't you?"
Inuyasha could no longer meet her gaze and instead stared at the many trees that surrounded them. He nodded, "Yes, I am a half-demon. Neither accepted by my demon counterparts or by the mortals. Now you are disgusted by me, I suppose." Instantly he was on his feet, hurrying away from her. For a minute, Kagome did not know what to do. She sat there staring at his back that was growing smaller and smaller by the minute, her mind not registering what was happening or why he was leaving.
No, she would not allow him to leave. Kagome wanted to know more about him. Where he came from, how he came to be in her world, and what about him had her heart being drawn to his. Like before, Kagome reacted without realizing what she was doing.
She called out urgently, "Wait, please. Inuyasha...stay. Please, don't go." To her surprise, he stopped in mid-step, as if he could not resist the sincere sound of her gentle voice.
Kagome continued to speak to him in soothing tones, "Is that why you're leaving, Inuyasha? Because you think I will shun you for being a half-demon?"
He kept his back to her as he spoke unemotionally, "It has happened countless times to me before. Humans and demons alike are cold, unforgiving creatures who do not accept those that are different from themselves. All the people have done the very same thing, whether it is in this world or mine. Why should you be any different?" His voice had changed to a bitterness that he must have harbored for the longest time and he turned his face so he was watching her. His dark glare challenged her to contradict him, to try and say something that would prove him wrong. Kagome returned his gaze with equal passion, but it was not hatred or bitterness. To Inuyasha's unending amazement of this girl, it was a look of understanding, of sympathy for what he had endured. As if she had been right there beside him the whole time.
Lowering her head so it rested on her knees, Kagome sadly stated, "Because I am not 'all the people,' Inuyasha. You see, my father was an American and his eyes were a velvet blue that I inherited. But the people at school would tease me about it. Would whisper behind my back that I wasn't truly 'Japanese.' I wasn't what they called normal and so they tormented me about it, then ignored me. They called me ugly and half-breed, like they may have done to you. I don't fit in among this society like I wish to. So I think I can understand what you are going through, if only a little." She met his stare once more and smiled that heart-wrenching smile at him. She tried to hide her pain behind the defenses that she had built up, but Inuyasha could see through them to the heart of her soul. Much like his, it was drowning in anguish and loneliness. A kindred spirit.
He closed the distance between them, kneeling down so his face was level with hers. With one clawed finger he tipped her face so that he could study her azure eyes. A soft blush crept into her cheeks and, unbidden, her eyes strayed to his lips. She shook slightly at the rush of confusing feelings that coursed through her. He was so close that she could feel the rising warmth of his body heat and see the pulse in his throat beat so strongly. His voice brought her back to reality once more.
"Keh, stupid humans. They have no idea what kind of beauty they have before them. Kagome, you'd better not believe what they're telling you. Your eyes carry the whispers of far-off places and put the ocean himself to shame. They are beautiful. You, Kagome, are beautiful," he whispered tenderly. Inuyasha could hardly believe the words that were tumbling from his mouth. It was true that he had told many a woman that they were beautiful. It was necessary to keep them satisfied, but never in his life had he meant them. Until now. There was something about Kagome that messed him up. He ran the back of his finger down her cheek and back up again in slow movements and soon his lips followed the path of his fingertips. He traced the edge of her jaw line, making his way to her soft lips.
Kagome breathed in sharply as his lips captured hers in a light kiss, dizzying her senses. She felt a small spark between them as she boldly molded her lips against his, meeting him with as much fire as he was giving. Inuyasha drew back, momentarily startled by her reaction, but his mouth curled into a grin with one sharp fang gleaming in the night. He once again sought her lips, but this time he was not as gentle as he had been. His mouth was harsh, demanding, and Kagome answered him with softer kisses. Her arms snaked around his neck unconsciously, pulling him closer to her body and soliciting a deep-throated groan from Inuyasha. This girl was intoxicating him with her scent and the taste of her, arousing him quickly to the point where he thought he might burst.
A high pitched beeping from the watch that Kagome wore around her wrist jolted them both back to the present night and they separated in embarrassment. For Kagome, it had become harder to breathe again as she panted from their long kiss. But she was partly grateful that they had been interrupted. She didn't want to think about how far they might have gone. Inuyasha brushed at his upper lip with the back of one hand, feeling bewildered that an inexperienced girl could warrant such a response from him. He had completely forgotten everything in that moment, desiring only to take her lush body beneath his. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and was somewhat satisfied to know that she looked as ragged as he.
Inuyasha placed a rakish smile on his face and said, "I guess I took it too far. Well, at least I know you are not the virgin I took you to be." The statement was made to lighten the mood around them, now thick with tension. A deep blush covered Kagome's face once more as she bristled with outrage.
"I am a virgin, you jerk!" she shot back, mortified at his accusation. How dare he say that?! To Kagome's ever growing humiliation, he started to laugh at her, softly at first and then becoming louder. She glanced around her nervously, afraid that someone might hear him, but she knew well enough that no one was around.
When he had managed to control himself, Inuyasha continued to bait her, "Sweetling, a real virgin would never have kissed me the way you just did."
"I am not your sweetling! And you started it, Inuyasha! You were the one to kiss me," she returned lamely. Inuyasha propped his body up on his elbows and watched her, a mischievous gleam in his golden orbs.
"True, I did initiate the kiss, but you were the one to take it to the next level. Where ever did you learn to kiss like that?" he wondered. But as he explored that possibility, Inuyasha found himself becoming jealous at the thought of another man teaching her something so intimate. But why he did not know; it was not like he possessed her or was in love with her... He mentally shook the thought from his mind and instead concentrated on Kagome. He could see that she was still enraged at him, but he enjoyed their playful banter. He was enjoying many things tonight.
Kagome bit the inside of her cheek to keep from saying anything she might regret. He would tease her even more if he knew that he had been the first one she had ever kissed. Her blushing didn't seem like it would ever leave and she touched the backs of her fingers to her cheeks to feel the soaring heat. As she did so, Kagome caught a glimpse of the time on her watch: it was one o'clock in the morning. How could it have become so late?!
"Shit! I have to get home!" she cursed out loud. Kagome scrambled to her feet leaving Inuyasha stunned at the sudden outburst. That she was going was what registered in his mind next.
"You're leaving, Kagome?" he asked mystified. But why?
She nodded her head vigorously at him as she dusted away any bits of grass on her clothing, "I have to get home before they start worrying about me. I'm sorry." Kagome really didn't want to leave, but she had no other choice. She bowed low and said quietly, "Good night, Inuyasha." She turned and ran out of the clearing.
Kagome pushed herself through the dense plants of the garden. Now that the moon had been concealed by the clouds, leaving only gray smoke in the sky, the garden seemed frightening and dangerous. Every tree's branches reached out and grabbed at her clothing and hair. Her foot hit a root; stumbling, she fell and sharp pain jolted up her arm. Ignoring her throbbing hand, Kagome picked herself up and continued running to the gate. When she reached it, Kagome shoved the door open.
As soon as she was out, she broke into a run. Inuyasha had reached the gate that very moment and watched her as she ran away.
A wave of protectiveness washed through him. Inuyasha knew the dangers of the human world at night. He had heard of young mortals abducted or worse during the twilight hours. Using his agility, Inuyasha leapt into the trees jumping from branch to branch, keeping time to her pace. He kept behind the thick foliage so Kagome could not see him, but enough so he could see her and make sure that no harm would come to her.
As soon as Kagome reached her house, she ran up the steps to her front door. She stopped a moment to catch her breath. She didn't know why she had wanted to get out of there so fast. Her mother would be wasted and Kagome would be the last thing on her mind. It was bizarre, but she thought she had felt the presence of another being approaching them.
Slipping her hand into her jean pocket she pulled out the key and unlocked the door. Opening it ajar, she poked her head in and listened. The house was quiet and the lights were off. She walked into the duskiness of the hallway, shutting the door behind her. As she tiptoed up the stairs, the creaking echoed off the walls. She made her way first to Souta's room, drawing the covers up his body and placing a light kiss on his forehead, then went to her own room and her hand felt the wall for the light switch.
She quickly changed into her pajamas and threw herself onto her newly made bed. As she looked up at the white ceiling, Kagome's fingertips came to rest on her still bruised and tender lips. With a sigh, Kagome hugged her pillow to her, thinking of Inuyasha, of the blissful fulfillment of her first real kiss. A smile crept onto her lips as she drifted into dreamless slumber.
Inuyasha watched as Kagome entered her house. Now satisfied that she was safe he turned and nimbly ran back to the garden. As he moved across the terrain he thought of Kagome and how she had treated him with kindness when most others would not. He had not planned on befriending her, let alone kissing her as he did. He had come to this world to ponder the problems of Madrien, his homeland.
As his feet touched the blades of grass at the garden gates, Inuyasha's senses told him another magical being was trespassing on his sanctuary. He ran gracefully through the trees and bushes. Inuyasha wished with all his might that it were not the being that he dreaded most that possessed such a strong life force. He halted abruptly as he reached the lake. His wish had not been answered.
There stood the demon Naraku. Standing on top of the water, he was dressed in long flowing midnight-blue robes; his long pitch-black hair hung loosely until it reached the center of his back. His aura glowed with as much spite as the smile that spread across Naraku's ravishing face as he saw Inuyasha walk steadily toward him, ears swiveling to listen for any of Naraku's minions that might have come.
Naraku's blood-red eyes glowed wickedly as he sneered, "Ah, Inuyasha so good to see you again. You have not visited Madrien much lately. Could you love this pathetic human world more than you do your own homeland or could it be that the great Inuyasha has attached himself to certain young mortalgirl that happened to have found him? You have become quite careless letting one of them see you."
Anger flared up in Inuyasha. "What do you want, you bastard? I have a feeling that you are not here to make petty conversation!" Inuyasha all but spat the words. Without trying, Naraku was able to bring out the worst of his temper. His sneer grew wider as he felt Inuyasha's power grow so that he was primed for battle.
"Still the same, are you, Inuyasha? Always cutting straight to the chase. You know very well what I desire: the Scepter of Twilight. All indications say that you possess it and I am here to claim it and Madrien as its rightful ruler."
Inuyasha snorted, close to laughing, "What makes you think I have it? You are becoming more stupid as the centuries pass, Naraku. No one, not even the king, knows of its whereabouts. And what in the seven hells makes you think that I would give it to the likes of you?"
"Are you finished?" he drawled, "No matter. I have other ways of getting what I want. Remember, half breed," he emphasized the name, "that my powers exceed yours and I could easily crush you between my finger- tips." It clearly seemed that his intimidation was not working. Inuyahsa merely stood his ground, his glare of daggers unwavering.
An idea came to Naraku suddenly. When he had first arrived, he noticed the human girl that Inuyasha had been conversing with. If he used the mortal to his advantage, then Inuyasha would surely hand the scepter to him.
"My, my it would be a shame for the girl to accidentally be involved in the middle of this struggle, would it not?" Naraku directed lazily at Inuyasha. Just Naraku had wished, Inuyasha gave him the emotion that he needed.
Fear jolted up Inuyasha's spine and he stifled it before his nemesis could take notice. How did he know of Kagome? "Don't you dare include Kagome in your twisted scheme! She has nothing to do with me or any of this," he snarled menacingly.
"Ah, Kagome, is it? What a lovely name. It would seem that you have grown quite fond of her. If you do not want her harmed, it would do you well to heed my warning. I am running thin of patience." With those last words, Naraku disappeared in a thick covering of miasma. Inuyasha growled thickly when he regained his senses, damaged by the poisonous miasma. If that demon harmed Kagome in any way, it would be Inuyasha's fault and he would never forgive himself.
With a roar he slammed his fist into a nearby tree, tearing it down from its very roots. He ran another hand through his already tangled hair and decided that he must leave quickly and inform His Majesty of what he found out that night. Closing his eyes, Inuyasha concentrated on the mental image of his home and soon was enveloped in a cloak of light that dissolved him into nothing.
A/N: Konnichi-wa! Well there's chapter two and I guess you guys must really like this fic because the responses were better than I thought they would be... Thankies to all of you that are reading this story! You don't know how much this means to me. Thankies! You guys are the best. ::tear:: Bear with me... I know this story is probably starting out pretty slow, but I'll try and speed it up a bit. And yes, Inuyasha is very out of character, but you will see his angry side in future chapters. As an answer to Alarnia's review, I was thinking this fic to be a Sesshomaru/Kagome one, but Sesshomaru is somewhat too cold for what I have planned out for Inuyasha's part. I could have always made him out of character but I'm sure some would agree that he's very sexy when he's cold and it would take Kagome's love to melt his heart of ice. But Inuyasha's part requires frequent unbridled emotions. Remember that you have to review now!!!!