A/N: Hey there to all of you! This was a fairly easy chapter to write and I found that I barely had any trouble with it. It just seemed to flow out from my fingertips in a shimmer of words. I am pretty relieved, let me tell you. I was a little worried about it after my last chapter which, by the way, you all seemed to enjoy. I got such great reviews from all of you, including some pretty interesting ones. Thank you all for your kind words. :tear: Gomen Nasai that it has taken me so long to post this chapter. Since it'sSpring Break, I have no access tothe internet and just today my mom decided to take me to the public library.After this is when all the Inuyasha gang will be introduced, plus some new characters. This little message is for you Ria-chan! Then the beginning of all that is to come will start. Can't wait, huh:laughs hystericlly:
Warning: I must make this warning beforehand so I do not startle any of you in this chapter. This is a warning about the lime content! If you are under fourteen years of age, you have been warned! Hehe, you thought I was going to tell you to turn back, huh? Well I have no right to do that because I'd really like you to read my story.
Thank you: A special thanks to the following people for reviewing thus far: angicakesisinuyashasluvr, Nicole, The Great Annie, Inuyasha-Is-My-Boyfriend, Crutches the Magic Hippie, Latinachica, Kagomeissosexy, Orlando-Inu-Lover, Hi, Annie, Tarzan, Kenshrix, Kinomoto, Dark Hanyou Lover, Shaq, InuFan4Life, AuronZs10, EarthQueen11492, Linaofthelight, chickichicki, InuFan4life, tomariella222, spotzplaya888, elementalobsession, Black Betty, InnocentDarkSassyCat, Dark Daimon Fate, Innocent Hope, dreamz-of-hope, azn-modern-miko, Lady Dark Angel, GohanzGirl, Schezerade7, Ria-chan, Shokora no Sakuhen, Embury, lyn, inuschopstiks, Silver Rain Drops, kawaii-arula, inu-kaglover45, Malitia, AzaraRubie, dragrdr, and Alarnia. Thank you for sticking with me so far and I sincerely hope you continue to do so. Your words mean more to me than you-or I- may ever know.
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless."
Mother Theresa
Dedication: This fanfiction is dedicated to Ria-chan, my little sister and best friend. She proof read the first two chapters of this story and has given me the inspiration to begin my story anew. But most important of all, she believes in me, which is why I posted this fic and for that I am eternally grateful. She has been my constant anchor and support when my world seems like it is turning upside down and inside out. She has been there for me and listened to my complaints and I thank every star at night for leading me to her. Thank you Ria-chan! Love you lots, sweetie!
Disclaimer: You guys probably get the idea that I don't own Inuyasha, but sadly it's illegal for me not to put a disclaimer or, at least, I think it is. I don't want to fool any of you into thinking that I own this or get sued. Personally, no one would get much out of me anyway. :shrugs nonchalantly: So I don't own Inuyasha. It belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and any other people that may own it. I own the plot and certain characters and I'll tell you which ones as they come up.
"The longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be."
Chinese Proverb
Chapter 7: Pillar of Light
"Wow! It's a present just for me, Daddy! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" eight year old Kagome excitedly cried. A deep bubbly laugh erupted from the person in the driver's seat. Alan Sutherlin looked to his daughter, who did not resemble him in the least. As a sharp contrast to his fiery gold hair, she possessed ebony tresses that, if placed in just the right light, shimmered with a deep blue hue. Much like him, her face was a lovely heart shape, though his cheeks were more sharply rounded than his daughter's. Another one of the only things they shared was the amazing color of their eyes: a starburst of blues that changed with their moods from a velvet blue, to a paradise of azure and then to a stormy sky of winter when they were angry.
Alan watched as her eyes lit up with happiness as she opened the package. Inside lay a golden locket that he had purchased for her the day before. As a child, Alan had never been showered with gifts of any kind. But now that he had a daughter he was determined to give her everything he never had at her age. He wanted her childhood to be unforgettable, with everything her little heart desired of him. He would go to any length for her, for his little Kagome held his heart in her hands and she always would. From the day she was born, as he held her tiny body in his arms, Alan had given himself totally over to her.
As Alan steered the car, he remembered what he had engraved inside the locket's interior before he left the gift shop.
"Hey, Kagome, why don't you open your new treasure? Open it and see what is underneath." Kagome took the locket, which was unusually large and fit almost into her entire palm, in her small hands and did as her father told her. As the top was lifted, scrawling letters appeared in her view, carved intracitely into the inside of the locket with care and loving devotion. Inside it was a picture of her father, Kagome wrapped around his neck, losing his balance as he smiled at the camera. The small girl yelped with glee at the sight, having never recieved something as beautiful as this.
"Alright, Kagome. What did Daddy write for you inside it?" All the joy had left his voice, a grim line settling across Alan's lips. The haunted light of memories was reflected in his eyes, his mind traveling back in time to a place where none but himself could go. His daughter, however, did not notice the change in his voice, the melancholy ringing through it. Kagome squinted her eyes against the fading light of day to read the inscription.
"It says... Twilight resides deep in heart, bring...bring..." The sun had completely set behind the horizan of mountains, the night veiling Kagome's eyes in a black shroud so she could not finish.
"Twilight resides deep in heart, bringing salvation swiftly to those that await its presence. And the burden shall be carried on the injured wings of the innocent, who shall forever be lost in eternal slumber," he finished, having memorized its contents. Silence filled the space between them, Kagome not understanding what it meant. Frowning slightly, she turned to her father, finally noticing the serious expression on his face. She had seen this look only a few times, each time it meant that something bad would happen or she had done something he disapproved of. To Kagome's knowledge, she had done nothing to make him angry...
In a hesitent tone she asked, "What does it mean, Daddy? Why does it make you so sad?" The childish music of her voice crushed his heart, tears pricking at the back of his eyelids. If only she could be spared from what he was to tell her. He would much rather keep her in ignorance, blissfully unaware of what awaited at the corner of her life.
Her father remained quiet, the anxiety preventing him from answering his daughter's question. How could he tell her? Ever since she was born, Alan had protected her from his past, not allowing anything or anyone to disrupt the life he had built here. He wanted Kagome to have a normal life, the life that, if he had stayed in his home, she would never be able to live. But here in Japan Kagome could grow to be an adult, find happiness without worries. It seemed that fate was working against him because that was never how it would be. She would walk the same path he did and it would destroy her from the inside out just like it did him.
Alan took his eyes from the road and gazed lovingly at his daughter, drinking in her beauty, the curiousity alight in her eyes. She was the reflection of his paradise, the eden he had found. For the first time in his life, Alan was happy. Happy that he had married, had a daughter, and another baby waiting to be born.
All at once a blinding light burst from the dark night charging straight toward them at an incredible speed. Kagome's father tore his eyes away from her and swerved to the right.
Kagome's head turned slightly, seeing a figure emerge from the devilish light. A pair of crimson eyes stared hatefully back at her, but she did not have enough time to fully burn his image into her mind for a tree loomed ahead of them, threatening collision.
"Daddy! Watch ooouuuuut!" Kagome screamed. And the world around her shattered into slivers of glassy darkness.
Kagome awoke with a start, her body drenched in sweat. She bolted upright in bed, shivers coursing through her body despite the warm breeze drifting through the window. Looking around, she saw that she was in her room, Inuyasha sleeping soundly beside her. She covered her face with her hands, trying to calm her ragged breathing and erratic heart beat. It had been so long since that nightmare had haunted her; she had thought that she had rid herself of it, at least free of that small misery in her life. She had been wrong. As always, the images returned to her tormented soul, ripping at every fiber of her being.
"Daddy," she breathed softly. Kagome looked at the clock on her nightstand: it was three in the morning, barely two hours had passed since she had revealed her soul to Inuyasha. She kicked off the heavy blankets, carefully untangling herself from Inuyasha's arms as not to wake him, and felt her way toward her desk. When she had reached it she flicked on the small lamp, the light illuminating the small corner, never touching the rest of the walls beyond it.
Opening the top drawer, she pulled out a jewelry box. Flowing, handpainted accents in sage decorated the cream-colored undertone. Opening the clear glass top, Kagome reached inside it and pulled out an object that she had never shown to anyone.
Switching off the lamp, she made her way to her window seat and settled down on its velvety softness. She carefully drew the sheer blue-green curtains apart and opened the window doors. A ray of moonlight burst into her room. The night was quiet, except for the occasional churp of the crickets; not a single car drove by to disturb the gentle solitude.
Looking down, she unclenched her hand and stared at the golden locket that her father had given her ten years ago that fateful night when all was lost to her. For some strange reason, it had not been damaged in the accident. It held not one single scratch or dent. On the day when she had been required to return home from the hospital, she had found the trinket hidden deep within the folds of her clothing. Apparently the officer that had pulled her from the wreckage had also managed to save the locket. This had always bothered her, but she was glad it had been saved from harm. It was one of the only memories she had left of her father.
Carefully Kagome lifted the top of the locket, which now fit her palm perfectly, her azure gaze seeking out the message engraved on the lid. Her fingers deftly drifted over the letters, tracing every detail that she had etched into her soul as a constant reminder of her pain.Closing her eyes, Kagome let the silent music of her memories enfold her in their soothing notes. It was so easy to recall that day, no matter how old she became. The day was still fresh in her mind, just as tender as if he had died a day before. From each corner of her eyes, a tear slithered a silvery path down her cheek.
In a loud whisper she recited the message her father had left her, the last words he had spoken to her before his death.
"Twilight resides deep in heart, bringing salvation swiftly to those that await its presence. And the burden shall be carried on the injured wings of the innocent, who shall forever be lost in eternal slumber." A small growl escaped her, mingling with sobs that were rising in her throat. He had been trying to tell her something! She felt like she should know what the stupid message was trying to tell her!
Oh, Daddy, you don't realize how much I miss you. The world has become so cold and unforgiving without your smiling face to warm it up. Come back to me! Please come back to me! Kagome silently pleaded as she wept; the tears falling hopelessly on the trinket she now clutched to her heart. She couldn't go on like this any longer, it just wasn't possible. Nine years without him by her side, without him whispering proud nothings into her ear. Nine years without a father, with a mother who didn't care. A small breeze swept in and blew the once-calm curtains around the sobbing girl, enwrapping her as if bestowing her with a hug.
It seemed like it was hours before Kagome had wept herself to sleep, her crying whimpering into small breaths of air. Inuyasha's dog-like ears twitched rapidly, listening for any signs that Kagome was awake. The spell to conceal them had disappeared as soon as all the strength left his body, no longer able to sustain the power. When he was sure that she had drifted off, he struggled to his feet and walked to Kagome's side quietly. Dizziness overcame him but he fought the urge to sit down. He needed to reach Kagome, hold her even though he could not take from her the pain that made her cry in sorrow so easily.
He studied her bathed in silver light, the moon's rays illuminating the slowly drying tears on her cheeks. He got to his knees by her side, his face inching closer until his cheek rested against hers. The slippery feel of tears rubbed onto his skin so that he may be able to share what she felt, as little as it was. In truth, he did. It plagued him, the smell of her tears. His sensitive nose only enhanced its pungency.
"Oh, Kagome," he whispered to her ear. He enclosed her in his arms, carrying Kagome's sleeping body to the bed. Gingerly he laid down by her side, face to face with her so that their noses almost touched. Moments passed with Inuyasha merely staring at her, admiring the beauty of his angel, the way that her hair caressed her closed eyes, the smooth expanse of skin. One day he would tell her. Tell her just how much she filled his mind from every waking moment to the depths of his dreams. One day he would. When he finally admitted to himself what his heart already knew.
The enticing smell of cooking food was what tempted Inuyasha out of the haven of sleep, convinced him to rise from the bed. That and the fact that Kagome was not by his side. He had opened his golden eyes in hopes of seeing Kagome asleep on the pillow next to his, but he had been met with the sight of an empty spot. The place that she had lain in was cold; Kagome had been awake for quite some time now.
Feeling the warm wind sneaking through the open window, Inuyasha rose to his feet, stretching the sore muscles of his back and neck. He had slept with Kagome cradled on top of his chest, a new position he had never tried before. It left every muscle tight with cramps but Inuyasha found, with some amusement, that he didn't mind like he would have done in the past. Kagome had kept his dreams at bay, for the first time Inuyasha slept peacefully. Her presence was comforting, a healing balm for his soul.
He felt rejuvenated as he unwound the bandages tied around his abdomen. Because of the demon blood coursing through him, the deep injuries he had sustained were fully healed, leaving only thin, white scars from one side to the other. It would add to the many other battle wounds he had collected over the years, a trophy if you will. He smiled toothily as he left the room, clad in no more than the pants he had been wearing the night before. Inuyasha's shirt was no where to be found, so he resigned himself to walk out without it. Wouldn't Kagome be surprised?
Laughter rang through the air as Inuyasha reached the bottom step. One of them was Kagome's, he could recognize the musical lilt of her voice anywhere. But the second voice was a mystery. Curious to see who it belonged to, Inuyasha followed the exotic scents to the kitchen where Inuyasha was met with a sight too good to be true. His smile widened dramtically when he saw the transormed Kagome: she was caked in white flour from the tip of her head down to the tips of her bare feet. The only color left to the eyes were her orbs of blue, now a lighter shade for she was laughing hysterically. Opposite her was a young boy who was also caught up in the mirth, but not in the flour. He was covered in some places, but it looked to Inuyasha that Kagome was the one losing this battle.
He experetly dodged her handfuls of the white muck, ducking behind a wooden cabinet. Inuyasha watched, not yet noticed by Kagome or the boy, as he crawled on his hands and knees to a place near to Kagome in order to acquire a better shot. She saw him too late and, soon, she had been splattered directly in the face with his own ball of powder, letting out a small scream as she tumbled backwards. The hanyou burst into his own deep-throated laugh, loving the shocked expression on Kagome's face when she finally noticed he was there.
With quick, jerky movements, Kagome brushed the flour from her face. Her cheeks were permanently covered in a thick layer of blush, the heat traveling through her body. For some odd reason, she was embarassed to be caught playing such a childish game, especially embarassed at her state of dishevelment. But underneath her veil of hair, Kagome smiled joyfully. Even from where she sat, she could see that he was fully recovered, much to her relief. She also drank her fill of his sleek, muscular chest. Kagome swallowed at the sight of his flawless body. Every inch of him hard with muscle. Like glistening rock. She had seen Inuyasha's chest before when she was bandaging his wounds, but had never taken the time to fully gaze at it. She swallowed the lump in her throat, her body warm with newly formed desire.
Ashamed at the thoughts coursing through her mind, Kagome scrambled to her feet, continuing to brush herself off as best as she could before walking to stand in front of Inuyasha. She reached out a hand to run her fingertips across the hard planes of his stomach where the wounds should have been healing for a few months more. Instead they were replaced by white scars that marred the perfect flesh and only added to the beauty of his upper body.
"I'm glad to see that you're all healed. I guess being a half-demon really does come in handy, huh?" she murmured to him as a smile crossed her features. She started to pull away but Inuyasha's hand closed over hers, holding the palm over the wounds that she had just touched. Kagome looked up at him in confusion, meeting his eyes that shared none of her amusement.
"Inuyasha...?" she asked, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Are you all right, Kagome?" His voice was throaty as if the mere thought of her answer brought him pain. Inuyasha ran his free hand through her silken tresses, cupping one cheek with gentle firmness. The action was made to keep Kagome's eyes on his so that he could see the truth of the words that she would tell him.
Kagome replied shakily on the verge of nervous laughter. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" she trailed off slowly, wondering where he was going with the question. She was not the one that had sustained such horrible injuries.
"About what I said yesterday to you. I'm sorry, Kagome, I really am. If it wasn't for me you would never have shed tears or recieved this." His thumb grazed over the multicolored bruise on her cheek where Teinin had raised his hand to her. The sight of it in broad daylight had anger ripping through Inuyasha. If only he had been faster then Kagome would never have- Soft fingers smoothed the scowl on his forehead returning Inuyasha's attention to Kagome. The blood-thirsty look, the look that only those closest to him would have recognized the potential danger for that look signaled a rampage of chaos, that had occupied his eyes only moments ago faded as he beheld Kagome.
Tears stood glossily in her eyes and Kagome found that she could not stop them. Did not want to stop them, in fact. He had been worried... about her. At that moment, seeing Inuyasha standing in all of his glory with the sun filtering through the windows and onto his hair, seeing the softened expression in his golden eyes directed at her, Kagome knew she had fallen. Fallen hopelessly in love with Inuyasha.
The hanyou captured a small tear that flowed down her cheek like a lone river, bringing it to his lips. All the while never taking his gaze off of Kagome.
"I've gone and made you cry once again. I guess that may be all I'm good for in this life," he laughed ironically. Being with Kagome had proved that to him more clearly than anything perhaps.
She shook her head at him, the tears now flowing freely, wrapping her slender arms around his waist and pressing her cheek over his beating heart.
She whispered strongly, "It doesn't matter, Inuyasha. As long as you're safe I don't care about anything else." Inuyasha was at a loss for words, something that was foreign to him. He returned her embrace cautiously as if she were a dream. A wonderful, beautiful dream that would shatter with the wind if he was too rough with her. And Inuyasha wanted her to stay, needed her like he needed no other. He buried his face into her sweet-smelling hair, loving the scent and feel of it as he was drawn closer.
"Sweetling, you are something else altogether. Something that is more heavenly than I deserve to hold against my body like I do now," he told her, his lips moving against her hair. Inuyasha felt her indigidance, saw her pull back to look up at him, her lips set in an adorable pout.
"Inuyasha-" Kagome began in her most stubborn tone only to be silenced by Inuyasha's laughter. It was a wonderful sound that danced in Kagome's ears.
"I know. You are not my sweetling, Kagome," he paused before adding, "Much to my misfortune." But to his surprise, Kagome began to laugh, her eyes sparkling like two sapphires in the sunlight. He was silenced for a moment, captivated by her voice as much as her seraphic beauty.
"Inuyasha," she said gently, "That is not what I was going to say." Seeing the puzzled expression on his face she explained in a low voice, sexy but innocent, "I was going to tell you that you forgot to say 'my' sweetling." A faint blush still lingered high on her cheeks but Kagome's eyes never left his, her eyes filled with her brimming happiness. There was no coyness, no teasing in her tone; Kagome was completely serious about what she had just said. It thrilled Inuyasha to hear those simple words, to know that something had developed between them in so short a time.
Kagome's hands worked up to rub his dog ears, loving the velvety feel beneath her fingers. This was how she had imagined them to be, from the very first moment she had seen them in the park. A deep rumbling began in Inuyasha's chest and Kagome was confused at what it was. Suddenly a wide grin broke across her face. He was purring!
Inuyasha leaned his forehead against hers, kissing the tip of Kagome's nose playfully. He enjoyed the gradual caressing, more than she may know. It brought a rush of warmth through him, stimulating the sensitive nerves in his ears. He smiled lopsidedly, one pristine fang gleaming in the sunlight. Kagome smiled radiantly back at him, the dimple in her cheek peeking out at him, tempting Inuyasha to press his lips to it. Her hands reluctantly fell away from his ears so that she could hook them around his broad neck.
Souta watched from a distance forgotten, but he cleared his throat to attract the couple's attention. So that's what was going on... Kagome glared at his interruption, her scowl darkening when she saw his knowing grin. Stepping away from Inuyasha's arms, she introduced them.
"Inuyasha, this is my younger brother Souta. He helped me take care of you last night." Inuyasha saw the way that Kagome's eyes softened when she looked at him, despite the frown that creased her forehead. Her relationship with her younger brother was strong, stronger than most were. He walked to the boy, kneeling so that they were at eye level. He had Kagome's angelic face, the same large cherubic eyes only his were a chocolate brown and the mop of hair that rested on his head was the same color as his eyes, instead of the ebony that was Kagome's.
Inuyasha smiled at him, a small part of him anxious to what Souta's reaction would be to him. Especially since he had no way of hiding his ears once this boy saw them. "Pleased to meet you, Souta. Thanks for helping me out back there." He really didn't know what else to say. He had never been very good with children since most would shun him for being a hanyou like their parents told them to. For the love of him, he couldn't figure out why in the world he was doing this. Maybe it was for Kagome's sake and maybe because some part of him wanted to see if anyone else could accept him like Kagome did.
Souta gazed at the hanyou, putting a hand to his chin. To Inuyasha and Kagome's confusion he began to circle Inuyasha like a hawk, looking him up and down as if studying if what he claimed to be was valid.
A childish smile broke out onto his face and he asked excitedly, "Are you really a half-demon!" His hand were balled at his sides, ready to pounce on their new guest if the answer should be 'yes.' Inuyasha gave him a strange look before cautiously nodding his head.
Souta whooped loudly, punching the air with his fist. "That is so cool! That's better than being a full fledged demon!" He grabbed onto Inuyasha's hand and proceeded to drag him out of the kitchen saying something about playing 'video games.' Inuyasha smiled toothily at him and his enthusiasm. He was beginning to like this kid already.
Once they were out of Kagome's ear shot, Souta whispered, "I better get you a shirt before Kagome drools all over you more than she already has. I mean you should see how much she talked about you last night. It's like she's in love with you or something." A disgusted look crossed Souta's face at the thought of Kagome loving someone, but the information widened Inuyasha's smile even more. There was no doubt about it. He definetaly loved this kid.
Kagome swept a hand through her hair, brushing away the pieces that stubbornly stuck to her forehead. The breakfast had gone surprisingly well, Kagome astounded that Inuyasha didn't know what pancakes were. Although he had been the one to wolf down half of the food she had set out for their breakfast. When he found them staring at him, Inuyasha suddenly became the composed half-demon once again, only proving to increase their mirth until Kagome had laughed herself near to tears. But that had been awhile ago. Right now he and Souta were busily playing video games, something that had quickly become another one of Inuyasha's past times. She shook her head, a smile touching her lips.
Propping her elbows onto the tile counter, Kagome stared out the window unconciously admiring the calm weather. Her mind wandered to places unknown, unseen by all but her as she closed off the harsh world around her and slipped into a place of serenity. It was natural for her to be startled when a familiar pair of warm arms wrapped around her, tempting her back to reality.
"What were you thinking of just now, Kagome? Mayhap it was me and your wish was answered?" Inuyasha whispered in her ear, tracing the hollow shell with his tongue.
Kagome shivered against him, laughing breathlessly, "You hanyous are an arrogant lot, aren't you?"
Inuyasha's sensual lips trailed a wet path down her neck, sucking lightly upon the pulse of her throat. His long slender fingers wove around her neck and under them he could feel her pulse beat erratically. He swept a thumb over it before pressing his lips to her neck, unsheathing his fangs to graze the skin; Kagome gasped at the fire rushing through her, how he could warrant such a response from her. Not knowing what to do with her hands she placed them on the arms that were wrapped around her waist, bending her head to the side so he could caress more of her. She felt him smile against her skin and suck lightly upon her, her hands gripped his arms tightly as her legs had suddenly failed her. She could no longer bear to stand by herself for he was working passion on her tender skin and, sensing her need, Inuyasha's arms tightened around her, drawing her closer to his form. She gave a small moan, lost in the waters of her desire but not needing anyone to save her.
Inuyasha turned her swiftly in his arms so that her luscious breasts were crushed against his chest, the feeling causing a tightening in his loins. His eyes lingered on her slightly-parted lips, which formed a perfect 'o' at the desires that he awakened within her, remembering well the taste and feel of them. He then looked deeply into her eyes, seeing the passion that lurked within their azure depths, yet untouched by any man. That he was sure of. And the thought of being her first gave him an unexplainable joy, one that he would be glad to share with her. He also sought out her permission in the only way he knew how, a silent seduction that would allow her to push away if she so wished it. But Kagome, noticing that he had stopped his magnificent assault, pressed her body flush to his, urging him on with the hard kiss she gave him.
Not needing anymore assurance than that, Inuyasha began his slow capture of Kagome's lips, savoring the honeyed taste of her mouth. Like before, Inuyasha's tongue sought hers endlessly, not wanting her to avoid intimate contact. She was hesitent at first, but with Inuyasha's coaxing, she met him in a dance as old as time, moaning into his mouth. His kisses were becoming deeper, more demanding of a response from her and she gave him what he wanted. She stood on tiptoe, their mouths pushing at one another's with frantic, heavy breaths.
Kagome felt his hands on her body, dipping, delving, memorizing the secret curves. His large yet gentle hands left no part of her untouched, fondling her until Kagome knew that he had learned the feel of her. She gasped in surprise when Inuyasha lifted her into his arms, placing her gently on the counter behind her, the coolness of the tile caressing her through the material of her pants.
Kagome had only a moment of breath before Inuyasha's mouth was once again demanding of hers, moaning loudly when her hands smoothed over his shirt clad chest. When her hands did not encounter the contact that she desired, Kagome slipped her fingers underneath the neck of his shirt, running the pads over his collarbone in long, feline-like strokes. It thrilled her when she felt him begin to shiver from her touch, discovering for the first time the inexplicable power she had over him. And she felt powerful at that moment.
Inuyasha sought the delicate arching of her throat, the one treasure that had haunted him since he had first laid eyes upon her. But he did not stop there. His lips moved lower and lower, tongue flicking out to trace the tantilizing wisps of flesh that peeked out from beneath her peasant-style top with its soft edging of lace. With a husky sigh, Inuyasha buried his face into the warmth of her breasts, seeking until he found the pink nipples hidden by the fabric, pressing a kiss to each one.
Kagome's back arched, pressing more of her into Inuyasha's face, startled when she felt her nipples hardening with his erotic ministrations. A soft cry escaped her, lights dancing and exploding in front of her closed eyes. Fisting her hands into Inuyasha's silver hair, Kagome pulled him closer to her, wanting more but not knowing how to tell him. She didn't trust herself to speak, not with the way her breath came in haggard gasps. It mingled with Inuyasha's, becoming a louder sound that roared in their ears as everything else was closed out.
The moment shattered as a voice rang clearly through the silence.
"Kagome! I'm home, sweetie. Are you up in your room?" Hitomi called. Kagome was the first to pull back, breath squeezing out of her lungs strongly. She looked to the doorway and then at Inuyasha.
"You'd better go now. I don't think my mom should see you," Kagome whispered. She did not return his gaze, instead she stared at the floor. In truth, she didn't want him to leave, but she knew well enough that her mother wouldn't be as accepting of Inuyasha as she and Souta had been. Kagome refused to see how her mother would react when she saw him, saw that he was a demon.
With that statement came a cooling of Inuyasha's ardour, his eyes widening in disbelief at her words then narrowing dangerously. He pushed her away roughly, stepping back to glare at her with indifference.
"So you accept me when there's no one around, but when someone you know steps in you don't think that I should be seen. I should have known it was too good to be true." came the answer, with a hint of his furiousity leaking through. He bowed mechanically at the waist before spitting out menacingly, "As you wish, m'lady bitch." Kagome stared at him as he left, unsure of what had just happened. Why was he angry with her all of a sudden? Fixing her clothes quickly, she hurried after him, wanting to repair the small misunderstanding between them.
"Inuyasha!" she cried, running up the flight of stairs to her bedroom. He stopped, body halfway through the window and turned to look at her, eyes burning. Kagome took a step back, but quickly recovered to say, "I didn't mean it that way. I just-"
He laughed, a broken sound of syllables cutting off her defense. "I know perfectly what you meant. Now if you will excuse me, I must be off before you are caught with the likes of a lowly half-breed such as myself." His tone was curt, the pain of what she had said ringing through it. But he desperatly tried to hide that fact with his seething temper. He glanced once more upon her as if to memorize what she looked like, then disgust was quickly replacing that action, Inuyasha jumping out the window to land on the ground with a thud.
She gasped and rushed to her open window. She was just in time to catch a glimpse of Inuyasha as he ran off into the trees, all but a blur to the naked eye. Warm tears filled her sapphire eyes, not wanting it to end this way. She hadn't meant it like that. Honest.
She heard her bedroom door creak open. She turned around and stared at her mother standing in the doorway. Hitomi instantly took in her daughter's red, puffy eyes.
"What's wrong, baby? Have you been crying?" her mother asked, the worry clear in her voice. Kagome stared at her mother. She gazed at the untidy sweep of black hair tied back in a messy ponytail, the dark circles under her mother's eyes, the exhausted set of her mouth. Kagome's heart turned in pity.
"No, I'm fine, mom. Really I am," Kagome answered.
Hitomi hesitated, unaware of what to do, then said, "Okay, Kagome." The door clicked shut behind her. Hitomi stood where she was, debating what to do. It was obvious that Kagome had been upset over something and probably needed her for comfort. But what could she do? With a final shake of her head Hitomi left the dreary hallway and quickly descended the stairs to return to the safety of her office and the decanters of warm liquor.
Ruthlessly, Kagome dashed away the tears that were streaking down her cheeks. Fine, he could go to hell then. Not like she cared about him. But her actions proved futile. Her eyes continued to mist over, feeling bare without Inuyasha's presence. She did care and that mere fact pierced her heart in so many cruel ways. She sat heavily upon the velvety window seat, clutching her arms around herself as if that could replace the wonderfully warm feeling of having Inuyasha's arms wrapped around her.
The salty drops of tears fell and were absorbed into the cushion, lost forever as Kagome was lost. The cool feel of metal slid against her leg and Kagome looked down to see her locket, forgotten on the cushion the night before. She interlaced her fingers into the chain, holding it up in front of her face. It twirled softly throwing small circles of light on the walls, a dazzling spectacle that, unbeknownst to Kagome, were gathering in one spot behind her.
Eyes heavy with weeping, Kagome repeated once more the inscription on the inside, needing to hear the mysterious words that her father had given her.
"Twilight resides deep in heart, bringing slavation swiftly to those that await its presence," she began eyelids lowering. Her limbs were beginning to feel leaden, no longer was Kagome able to hold them up. A hazy cloud seeped into her mind, muddling her previous thoughts and no matter how Kagome tried she could not shake it off. It provided a haven of sleep that Kagome's body screamed for, now exhausted from the different emotions that had bombarded her the past two days.
"And the burden shall be carried on the injured wings of the innocent, who shall forever be lost in eternal slumber," she finished, voice dropping to an inaudible whisper, muffled by the soft beckoning of the light that stood behind her. Kagome slowly turned her head to watch it, seeing how beautifully it sparkled, a light not aided by the sun's rays.
Unconciously she rose to her feet, the locket dangling at her side and bumping against her thigh as she took hesitant steps toward it. Glimmering, shimmering, fascinating, Kagome was captivated and so much more. She held out her arms as if to bestow upon the pillar of light an embrace, fully insinuating her body in its golden glow. Her eyes dilated, widening ever more as she was wrapped in a blissful darkness and carried away from the ground beneath her. She was swallowed up by the sky, leaving no traces that she had ever been there except the faint dusting of light.
A/N: Well, there is Chapter 7 for all of you readers. And as a little note to you minna-san, the word 'bitch' in this story is not a good thing. Its meaning is meant to insult whomever it is directed at. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Again I am sorry that it has taken me so long to update. But now that it is Spring Break (Yay!) hopefully I will be able to update sooner and finish Chapter 8 a lot quicker. Thank you for reading and now, if you will be so kind, press the little purple button and submit a review!