Chapter 2: The Beast and Me

He did not move a muscle as he stared in awe at her. She was still beautiful but he still wanted to wring her neck. Kagome's feet were moving fast towards the door before she even gave it a second thought but she did not count on Inuyasha's lightning reflexes and mind-blowing speed. She found herself crushed against the door and facing the image of rage; her eyes closed involuntarily and her lips whispered apologies. Inuyasha loosened his hold on her and told her to open her eyes. She complied.

"I'm so sorry. I should not have left like that."

"You're right." His face seemed calm now but she knew other wise. His Italian accent was evident and she knew plenty about their temper. "Now that I have found you, we can talk."

"There is nothing to say. I was just a one time thing."

"Did you consider that I might want more?"

"Yes, but I don't see how that should concern me. You can have any woman you want. I implore you to seek more willing women."

"Do not say such things to me."

"Let go of me." Kagome said. "I wish to leave."

"You think I would agree to let you go just like that?"

"No. Which is hwy I left the way I did."

"You left without assuring me that our night of unprotected sex did not result in a child."

Kagome's voice caught in her throat. He did not know. I intend to keep it that way. "I knew I was not pregnant."

"I did not. You owed me that much."

"I owed you nothing." Her anger rising to he surface. "I met you for one hour before you bedded me-"

"Correction, you seduced me."

"Whatever. It happened and it was not meant as a long-term thing. You yourself said I had secret intentions."

"Which I still do not know."

"If you must know," she said finally brushing him off but still unable to create a safe distance between them. "I had decided I would never allow a man to touch me ever again after I had one unromantic fling with whomever I chose. I had not intended to seduce you but you were already showing interest."

"So I was just the guy that got lucky."

"Yes. Now I need to get back to work then I need to take my dau-" she coughed realizing what she almost said. "My cousins child home."

He raised an eyebrow but said nothing about it. "Since you're working here, I would like my dinner now." Kagome knew she was alone, as she had convinced Matteo to go out tonight. She cursed her big heart.

"Very well, I will be back in half an hour with it." He made no move to step back so she added. "If you allow me to go get it-"

"I'm wondering if you'll run again."

"I have responsibilities here that I cannot run from even if you are unnerving." Why she had admitted that she did not know. She saw the smile.

"I unsettle you?" his eyebrows went up in that cocky way she came to recognize. "Is it because you know all I have to do is touch you to have you at my mercy just like that night." He demonstrated by cupping her cheek and running a thumb over her lips which were now trembling.

"Do not do that-"

"Why?"

"I'll burn your food if you do not stop."

"You'd have to be able to leave to do that, cara." He say her try to side step him so he leaned against her. "I know you'll try to avoid my touch so you'll not struggle against me." She knew he was right. "Now before I kiss you, I'd like to know the name of the cunning feline that has infatuated me."

"Inuyasha, please let me go."

"Tsk, tsk. You know my name and I have no name for you." He leaned in closer making her aware of his arousal.

"Kagome." She blurted out. "It's Kagome. Now please let me go."

"Very well, but since I am a man of my word, I must kiss you before you go."

"No." she whispered in rich Italian. She had no hope of escape as his lips swallowed her protest. His sensuous lips worked a strange magic on her; the hands that were pushing him away were now pulling him closer. She reveled in the fountain of hair that had thrilled her and eternity ago. Images of that night flooded her and she could have sworn she felt those beautiful locks trailing over her stomach. "No more." She cried. "No more." He refused to hear her because when he looked into her eyes they begged and pleaded for more.

"Your lips lie." He said in his native tongue. "your eyes tell me what you want." Kagome could have sworn his eyes flashed gold but she blamed her passion ridden mind.

"I cannot do this. I must not give in to you."

"You already have. You are mine, cara."

She remembered when Kouga said that and what had happened only three weeks later. "No!" she yelled. Inuyasha stopped when he registered the new emotion in her eyes, fear.

"You are afraid of me?" she was shocked that he picked up on that. "Why?"

She began to cry now. "Please, I cannot go through this again."

"Go through what again?" he still held her against him, his thumb rubbing her lips and cheek randomly but so intimately. She could not tell him of her experience with her last boyfriend so she told him something equally true.

"I cannot make love to you and leave again. You are a man that is hard to forget." She said reverting to Italian.

"Make love? I thought it was only about sex?" he chided.

She sighed realizing he would not let her leave until he was satisfied. "It was in the beginning but once I kissed you, my mind registered love-making not casual sex. You are a generous lover."

"And you wan tot give that up for a life of loneliness."

"I will not be lonely I have my family." She smiled. She dared to touch him as she had when she watched him sleep on that fateful night. She brushed his hair from his eyes and cupped his cheek. "Please for get about me. We were strangers passing in the night." He stepped back, true to his to let her go.

"Then please, try to avoid me." He said anger boiling in him. "Will not be held accountable for my actions if I catch you alone again." Kagome did not wish to hear him say those words; they cut her deeply.

"I intend to." She said solemnly. She realized that she cared about this man a great deal but she prohibited herself from feeling anything else.

"Goodnight, Kagome. I will not require dinner tonight."

"Goodbye, Inuyasha."

"Kagome, you look like you've seen a ghost." Yumi said.

"I have. Is Jasmine ready?"

"Yes. She is asleep now but when she wakes up she'll be hungry."

"My breasts tell me that." Kagome said drubbing the swollen orbs. She was glad Jasmine had not cried while she was with Inuyasha fro that would have ended in disaster. She cuddled the baby in her arms. She loved the infant that had been born with a full head of silky hair, just like her father except it had a silver streak in the front. "I'm sure your Papa would love you but mommy needs to be selfish right now." She whispered. She took the bag from Yumi and headed out. Just her luck she ran into Inuyasha who undoubtedly saw her. Fortunately, she was in the lobby and other houseguests were present.

"Hello." She said in English to ensure that nobody understood what he or she were saying.

He noticed her intentions. "Yes. I will be heading out. Could you have Matteo check out the pipes in my room?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Do not call me 'sir,' cara." He looked down at the squirming bundle in her hands. "Is that your cousin's baby?" Kagome began to answer when Yumi came and heard his question.

"No, sir. This bundle of joy is Kagome's work." Kagome paled but Yumi did not see this. "I'm just glad I can care for her in the day." Inuyasha stared at Kagome but he did not seem to pick up on it.

"I did not know the young lady had a child." He said to Yumi hoping to pump more information out of her. The baby started to fuss as Kagome became very agitated.

"She is a brave one my cousin. She went to a clinic and had it done artificially."

"Did she now?" he said suspiciously.

"Yes." Kagome said finding her voice. "I need to go. She is fussing for a feeding."

"Just feed her now. I'll let your mom know you're going to be late." Yumi disappeared and so did the other houseguests.

"I am going to ask you a question and you better tell me the truth."

"I need to feed her." She said paling even more when she moved to sit and he followed. She modestly gave the baby access to her left breast as he took his seat on the same side. A cloth covered the baby's face but Inuyasha removed it. "What are you doing?"

"Do not be shy; I know how your breasts look. I merely wan to see the baby as she feeds; I have never seen it before." She saw he was distracted and thankfully did not ask the question she knew was coming. They sat in silence and he with a look of awe on his face. She switched breasts while he watched in silent awe.

"She is beautiful, like her mother." He said. He ran a finger over the baby's face then added seriously and low. "Is she mine?"

"I-" she wanted to say yes as he looked lovingly at the baby. She had a flash of them being a real family but it was only a flash. When he looked at her, her face was expressionless. "I'm sorry Inuyasha. She is mine and mine alone."

"DO you speak the truth?"

"Would you want a child with you busy life? You spend most of your time at work; even now, you are working. A child does not fit into your life. She is mine and mine alone." She repeated. When the baby stopped sucking she made sure, she was finished then covered her breast.

"Then you will not mind me holding her." Kagome hesitated but she was denying this beautiful man a lot by not telling him the truth; she could not deny him this.

"She would enjoy it." Inuyasha received the swaddled infant and smiled when her tiny eyes popped open and looked at him. The baby suddenly smiled a toothless smile and growled in her throat. Inuyasha scowled because he knew Kagome had just lied to him. She was determined to keep him away from Jasmine, his little girl who had just acknowledged him. He was ashamed because he could not just take the child; his mother would indeed scold him for his mistake. He saw Kagome looking curiously at his neck.

"What is it?"

"It couldn't be." She looked at him. "Where did you get that mark on your neck? Did your new girlfriend give it to you?"

He was surprised by the vehemence in her voice. It was not her fault that she did not know what she had done. "I have not looked at another woman since our night together. Would it matter anyway? You have effectively told me that we can have no form of an intimate relationship."

"You're just like all of them. You liar. Give me back my baby." She took the child he offered up. "You kiss me like I'm the only one when you have the love bite of another woman on you."

"What do you care? You do not want my kisses, cara."

"Because I know your type; so unsatisfied with one woman. Isn't the reason you were so eager to get into my panties at the restaurant."

"Silence, insolent woman." He said in a low growl and for the second time Kagome swore she saw flecks of gold in his eyes. He closed his eyes as if he needed to close her out to calm down. "I will not be classed by the likes of you. You stand here and lie to my face but do you hear me insulting you?" Jasmine started to fuss but a low guttural growl emanated from Inuyasha's chest and the baby went silent.

"Did you just growl at my baby?"

"What I say to that child is not your concern. Tread carefully, Kagome." He left in that instant.

Kagome's wobbly legs walked to the car and she managed to drive home without breaking down in tears. She gave the baby to her willing uncle and went to bed. Kikyo was waiting for her.

"Home already?"

"Matteo and I had a fight." The said sadly.

"About?"

"You and Jasmine."

"Why?"

"He said you were lying about her conception. I told him to go to hell."

"W-why would he say that?"

"A friend of his is in town, I don't know which and Matteo swears that he is the father."

"Do you believe him?"

"No. You do not have a lying bone in your body."

Kagome burst into tears. "Oh, Kiki."

"What is it? Tell me." Kikyo said rushing to catch the crumpling figure.

"Call Matteo, apologize for me."

"Why would-" she looked at Kagome's pleading eyes. "It is true?"

"I'm so sorry."

"Tell me everything."

"Okay."

"You don't look too good." Matteo said to Inuyasha.

"You wouldn't after the day I had."

"I probably feel worse. My fiancé and I just had a huge fight about you."

"Why? I do not know your fiancé."

"You know her sister, I bet."

"I think not."

"Then how is it that she had your baby?" Inuyasha' eyes went wide.

"What?"

"How could Kagome have your baby if you never met her?"

"Kagome? You mean-"

"I couldn't deny the resemblance but I didn't want to say anything to Kikyo. Why is she telling everybody that she went o some clinic?"

"I don't know. I confronted her today and she outright lied to me." He sighed. "Wait a minute, how long have you known?"

"Ever since the baby was born."

"You set me up to meet her didn't you."

"Yes. I don't want any thanks." Matteo looked at him. "I don't suppose she know about-"

"No. And she will not until she is willing to tell the truth."

"That's your decision. I'd never tell her." They both sighed. "Do you love her?"

"No. I just want my baby."

"Then you have along wait. I waited two years before I could get Kikyo to even answer my proposal because I would not tell her if I love. Because of that, I almost lost her to that fool Kouga."

"What do you mean?"

"Kouga was Kagome's boyfriend but he and Kikyo had an affair. Kagome left home. Kikyo was devastated."

"Kouga? Kagome and Kouga. What a small world."

"Kouga never introduced you two? I thought you guys were best friends."

"It does not matter it is the past. Where does Kagome live?"

"I can take you there; I'm going to talk to Kikyo now."

"Good. Let's go." It took them fifteen minutes to get to Kagome's home where the door was answered by a woman Inuyasha assumed to be the mother. She greeted Matteo warmly then sized up Inuyasha.

"A Leone. I figured. I wondered when you would come to your senses and claim your child."

"I did not know I had a child. Kagome disappeared right after our first meeting."

"That child. It was the same two years ago. You will need to prove yourself to the girl; she as been hurt considerable."

"What do you know of my family, Ms. Higurashi?"

"You mother and I are friends. I had thought it was your older brother that had given Kagome the baby until I saw its hair." She gestured for them to come in.

"Her hair?"

"You will see." She smiled. "I'll get the girls."

"He's here." Kagome said suddenly.

"What?"

"He's here."

"How do you know?"

"I can feel him." She said wrapping her hands around herself.

"Are you sure you're not in love with him."

"I cannot love anymore. I will not allow it."

"What? Can you hear yourself?" Kikyo made her little sister look at her. "You have the biggest heart I know; you deserve to love and be loved."

"Look what happened the last times I tried to love. Hojo broke my heart and the guys before Kouga all did the same and then-"

"You cannot allow the mistakes of others to destroy your heart. I do not know why you were bale to forgive me but you did so move on. If this man loves you, you should love him too."

"Well, I know for a fact that he does not love; he is infatuated with me. Those are his words."

"Then maybe it'll be the next guy." They heard their mom calling them and they walked slowly downstairs.

"Kagome, I think you owe us all an explanation." Ayumi said.

"Mama, I-"

"She does not need to I only wish to hear from her mouth that Jasmine is my daughter." Kagome could not move. She did not want to admit it because to her it seemed if she admitted it would be real and she would lose her child.

"You are not my baby's father." She said. Matteo and Kikyo looked at each other. The three adults left the room discreetly when they saw a vein jump in Inuyasha's neck.

"You will continue to lie to me when I know the truth?"

"She is not yours, Inuyasha."

"I suppose you'll tell me she is Kouga's."

"How do you know about Kouga?"

"Kouga is my best friend, interestingly."

"You're joking. Then I was right. You are just like him."

"I am nothing like the scoundrel." He said angrily frightening her into a retreat. "Don't you try to run away from me again." She stopped in her tracks.

"I do not want you in my life so leave me and child alone."

"Then I have no choice but to order a paternity test. If she is my daughter, I am suing for full custody and you will never see her again. You do not deserve to be a mother to my child."

"You wouldn't dare." Kagome said suddenly.

"I do and can. I have the influence not that the judge would not see it my way. Your actions say you are unstable and unfit to raise a child."

"You are despicable. You are not man; you are a coward. I may have slept with you intentionally to get pregnant but nothing that happens after that is vaguely related to you."

"What did you say?"

"You heard me. I knowingly slept with you so I could get pregnant. And yes she is your biological child but she is not yours; She is mine."

"You would deny me a role in my own daughter's life? You are the coward. You hide behind the hurt that you experienced with former lovers and now you project it onto me. I will not be a target for you insults. Pack Jasmine's things, she is going with me tonight."

"Over my dead body." Kagome said.

"That can be arranged." He said in a rumbling voice. This time Kagome was sure she saw it, the golden orbs and fangs pushing at his lower lip. She backed up even as he advanced and she ended up pinned between him and the wall.

"Who the hell are you?" Inuyasha growled in frustration as if his anger was too much for him and his hair flashed silver before remaining black.

"Believe me; you do not want to know." He breathed at her neck, which she realized she had exposed to him. "Now, pack Jasmine's things and give my child to me, Kagome."

"I can't do that." He growled dangerously and she felt fangs on her throat but he did not bite her.

"You do not want to refuse me, Kagome." He said his mouth still perilously close to her jugular.

"Please don't take my baby."

"You do not deserve her. You are too selfish." She knew it was true but could she hand over her child to this monster?

"I cannot give my daughter to some creature."

"Would you be able to stop me?" This time he looked her directly in the eye and she could not look away as she was strangely mesmerized by those still beautiful but intense eyes. She knew she would not be able to but she could not bear to hand over her baby.

She used both her hands to cup his face and pleaded.

"Pleased don't take her away from me. Please. I'll do anything you want." He growled like a puppy being scratched don his belly as he leaned into her soft hands. She was amazed that he did not bite her hands off. His eyes clothes and when they opened they were brown.

"I am sorry but Jasmine leaves tonight." Kagome knew she could not stop him. Tears slid from her eyes, which Inuyasha kissed away. "Cara, you brought this on yourself." She saw him struggle as he moved away but reminded herself he was only infatuated with her. "Take courage, she will be taken care of." As if on cue, Souta brought in the struggling bundle that practically launched herself at her father. Kagome choked on her tears and covered her mouth to keep from crying out. She went over and kissed the smiling baby.

"Mama loves you my sweet night flower." The baby cooed and touched a wet hand to Kagome's face. Inuyasha watched the display and almost changed his mind until she looked up at him with defiant eyes.

"Goodbye, Kagome. This time it is for good." He moved towards the door and Kagome followed, as would any real mother. He looked at he rover his broad shoulders and walked away into the night. She heard the engine turn over and then he was gone. When she could not hear or see the car, she slumped to the floor and let out a blood-curdling scream. Her family was there in an instant.

"Child, what is it?" Ayumi asked.

"I can't believe I just did that." She sobbed hysterically. "I gave my baby away."

"What?" Kikyo asked.

"I just stood there and let him take her. What kind of mother am I?"

"You need to go after him." Kikyo said resolutely.

"I can't. You didn't see him."

"He is just one man."

"He is more than a man." Ayumi said. "Kagome, you have a decision to make and we cannot help-"

"But Mama-" Kikyo protested.

"Silence, Kikyo. Kagome made her choice to become pregnant and it her decision to look after her child." Kagome sobbed miserably as Souta held her on his tiny chest.

"Kagome, I'll help you get her back." He whispered. Kagome stopped crying and looked into the eyes of her brother.

"I think you already have. You're the best brother, Souta."

"I know." He smiled. "Can I come this time?"

"No this time. When I bring back Jasmine, we'll all go to the beach." He looked deflated. "I promise you."

"Okay, Sis."

"Matteo, where does he live?"

"I do not know. He never stays long in Italy. He was her on vacation at his mother's house."

"Where does she live?"

"Macerata."

"That is where I will go."

"Now?"

"How can I wait? I will find him."

"How?"

"Do not worry." She threw a few things into her car and drove the direction she saw him go. She drove past the B&B in time to see him pulling out. He drove the same break-neck speed he did on the September night and her humble car could not keep up. She was undeterred.

"I will drive all night if I have to." She pulled out onto the highway and drove in the direction of the city of Macerata.

She had been driving for five hours now and she was still nowhere near Macerata. The road stretched on forever. Her eyes felt heavy but determination kept her driving for another hour. She pushed herself to continue driving but physiology stepped in and soon she was bobbing and weaving behind the wheel. A mini-van traveling in the opposite direction whose driver was sleeping slammed into her little car and flung her into oncoming traffic. Other cars narrowly missed the out of control car but a Ford SUV did not see the wreck in time slammed into her car again sending it flying off the road into the banking.

"My baby." Kagome said as he drifted into unconsciousness. A few minutes later, the small car exploded.

"Something terrible has happened." Ayumi said suddenly startling Kikyo who switched the channel to the news by accident. It was then that all hell broke loose. Kikyo and Ayumi watched as firefighters doused the burning remains of Kagome's car on the road to Macerata.

"Kagome?"

"My Baby." They listened stunned as the reported droned on.

"There appear to be no survivors in this three car crash. Eyewitnesses say the small Honda Civic was hit by a mini-van when the driver of the said mini-van fell asleep. The car was thrown into oncoming traffic where a Ford SUV slammed. Firefighters are struggling to get the blaze under control. " Kikyo and Ayumi listened in stunned silence till the end when the reporter said sadly, almost in tears. "Attempts were futile and if there was someone in that car, they are long gone. Since no body was found near the wreckage they have declared the driver dead."

Kikyo was numb. She rose and dialed Matteo. "She is gone. Kagome is dead."

"Kikyo? What are you talking about?"

"I saw it on the news; she was in a car accident. She died; she burned to death in a frigging car because that maniac took her baby."

"I'll be right over." He heard sobbing and the phone clattering. He hung up and dialed Inuyasha. "I hate to tell you this-"

"What is it?" he said impatiently into his cell.

"She followed you but she didn't make it."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Kagome. She came after the baby but she died on the way." Matteo broke down. "She's dead."

"Stop playing Matteo."

"I'm not. She was just in a car crash; they couldn't get to her in time." Inuyasha stopped immediately as he made his way up the driveway to his mother's home. Sesshomaru saw him and went out to meet him.

"What are you-" he saw the baby and the stricken look on his brother's face. "What the hell happened?"

"I just talked to her. I just touched her and now-"

"Inuyasha?"

"I found her and now she's gone." He slammed his fist into the steering wheel, which broke, under his great strength. The baby wailed after being startled by the sound. Inuyasha scooped her up and hugged her. "Oh, Baby, I'm so sorry." Sesshomaru had never seen his brother like this. He helped him out of the car with and up to the house.

"My son, what is wrong?"

"I killed her, Mama. I killed her."

"I'm so sorry. Come here." She enveloped Inuyasha and the crying infant in her arms and shooed the others away.

Inuyasha stood at the memorial service for Kagome two weeks later and said goodbye.

He looked at the smiling photograph and cursed himself for his role in her horrible death. He walked out and came face to face with Kikyo who did not hesitate in slapping him across the face. He did not answer and so she hit him repeatedly until she began to cry. Matteo was the one who stilled her hand and lead her away. Ayumi came up to him.

"I hold you partly responsible for the loss of my daughter. DO not darken my doorsteps again."

"What about your granddaughter?"

"How can I look at that child and not see the loss I have endured?" she walked away.

"Little one, I have robbed you of your whole family." He left the funeral and never once retuned to Ascoli Pienco.