Forever Yours

Chapter Seven: All Good Things Must Come to an End

At first, Kagome couldn't make sense of what InuYasha had basically demanded of her. First he wanted to get rid of her, and now he wanted her to submit to him—permanently, as his mate? Why?

Out of the many things he could have asked of her, this was the last thing she had expected. Deep down within her soul she already knew this was something she desired—to become his mate—but she didn't think it was something that would happen so soon, nor that it would come about in this way.

Wasn't this the reason she had run away from home in the first place? Because she refused to submit to her father's wishes and take a mate? Because she didn't want to be forced into anything? Kagome hated being backed into a corner. She liked her freedom. Was she really ready to give some of that up?

The fates had a crazy sense of humor, Kagome decided.

InuYasha's red eyes bore into hers as he waited for her to make her decision. She could tell his patience was wearing thing, and it wouldn't be much longer before he sent her away forever.

Really, there was no other option. This was it; this was her chance to prove herself to him. Perhaps this could be her way to fix the damage she had caused.

The thought ignited the wild beast within her soul to rebel, if only momentarily. Kagome had always been a stubborn free-spirited demon. Settling down and having a mate was scary, but it was time she grew up.

"I'll do it." Kagome said without a hint hesitation.

InuYasha's only response was a rigid growl as he grabbed her by an arm and dragged her back inside.

There would be no tender love-making this time and Kagome knew that. Knowing what was to come set her youkai on edge. Submitting as a mate was very different from the intimacy they shared the night before.

They would essentially be joining their souls, linking their life forces to the other in ways that would allow one another to know the deepest recesses of the other's mind. Their deepest feelings, and perhaps things they would have rather kept secret. It was a union of the souls, of promises, of protection and of a long life together.

As her alpha, it would become InuYasha's right and duty to see to it that she was well cared for and protected. She would be allowing him to become her one and only mate and protector.

InuYasha shoved her onto the bed, and began tearing at her clothing. Kagome felt is youki beginning to swirl around him, slowly trying to entwine itself with hers. It was oppressive, dominating—very different than what Kagome was used to.

While it varied from pair to pair, even species to species, there was one thing that remained the same no matter the demon's race.

The female had to choose the male, she had to willingly submit to him, to let down all defenses and let him in. Because the male was typically the stronger half of the pair, this was done so that he could not force a female into an unwilling union.

If it was not something the female wanted in the deepest recesses of her heart the bond would fail. Kagome understood why InuYasha had asked her to prove herself in this way. If Kagome was being truthful with the half-demon about her feelings, he would find his proof in the successful bonding.

InuYasha's claws snagged in her clothing in his desperation to undress her. Kagome winced at the sound of their tearing, but InuYasha didn't seem to care. He had somehow already undressed himself and Kagome could feel his erection poking her in the thigh.

Kagome watched InuYasha through her eyelashes as he towered over her. The look he was giving her sent shivers of both displeasure and anticipation down her spine. The darker side of her liked this side of InuYasha. It appealed to her sexually on so many levels.

He would soon be her alpha male, and she would prove to him how worthy he was of her submission. That to her, he was more than just a toy to escape an unwanted fate. Somehow in this short time she had come to care for the hanyou on a deep level and this she would do to prove that to him.

She knew he would not be gentle with her this time. His frustration was too great and she would be the one to suffer the brunt of that anger.

Kagome felt her demonic aura flair around her, before it then sought out InuYasha's, gently testing the receptiveness of its intrusion.

He let her in, and immediately his own aura followed the path Kagome's had set, as it began the slow processes of intertwining with hers. She drew him in, allowing the force of his power to envelope her.

Kagome felt her own instincts begin to rise as her fangs elongated from the flaring of their auras.

It would be InuYasha own showing of trust in her, as well as his initial submission to her if he allowed the next moments to take place. Sure, he had asked for her submission as his mate, but for this to work, he had to first, in a sense, submit to her.

What was to come next was potentially dangerous to any male (and vice-versa for the females). One was essentially trusting the other with their lives. Kagome briefly wondered if InuYasha trusted her at all after what had happened.

Instinct finally completely taking over, she bit him at the juncture of his neck. The action caused him to grunt, which then morphed into a dark growl, all the while staring at her lazily through half-lidded eyes. Her fangs did not go very deep into his flesh. But it was enough to draw a decent amount of blood, and for her to revel in the coppery flavor.

Had he not trusted her and moved at the wrong moment, she could have bitten him at the wrong place, and accidentally killed him. His trust in her, despite the pain she had caused earlier humbled Kagome. Not only that, but there were instances were females lured the males into these positions only to intentionally kill them. It was mostly done during war times, where females were allowed to be captured to then seduce enemy males and kill them. The hanyou at least trusted her not to do that.

For several minutes, her fangs would remain imbedded in his flesh, before her teeth retracted to allow her tongue to run over the wound, to aid in healing. InuYasha would do the same when it was her turn.

Kagome felt deposits of her aura leave her body and further entwine with his. He had completely submitted to her by doing this, and allowing her to begin the stronger ties that would bind their union more thoroughly.

The completion of this action triggered InuYasha's own instincts. When Kagome was finally finished with her attention to InuYasha's flesh she immediately found herself on all fours. The movement was swift, and yet predictable.

"Bitch, submits to male." InuYasha's hands were on firm her hips, positioning her. The gruff tone of his voice was back, and it sent shivers this time of pleasure down Kagome's back.

Kagome didn't answer right away, and he spanked her—hard enough to leave a red welt. "Bitch…" He warned.

Kagome growled seductively at the action, looking at him over her shoulder, and giving her bottom a little shake. "Yes, Bitch submits to male."

That was all InuYasha needed to hear before he was inside of her. That first thrust sent them both reeling, but it was InuYasha who recovered far before Kagome. He wasted no time in taking from her body the great pleasure he sought after. His thrusts were quick, and short. Fast, furious, demanding, unyielding.

He was growling deeply, enjoying every second of their joining. His claws were sharp on her hips, keeping her in place and digging into her flesh to the point where they were drawing blood. Kagome barely registered the feeling of it trickling down her thighs.

The inu-youkai had long since fallen to her forearms from the pleasure and pain, changing the angle, and making it deeper. She found herself biting into the tender flesh of her arm, in response to the torture the hanyou was bestowing upon her and to keep from crying out. She clutched the bedding beneath her, unable to hold back the torturous whine that left her throat.

In response, InuYasha grabbed her by her hair, pulling her head back and bearing her neck to him as he towered over her. "Do not hide yourself." He ordered, as his red eyes took in every inch of her naked form. "I want to hear you, Bitch."

He unexpectedly let her go, and Kagome fell back into place on her hands. Not once did he stop or slow his movements.

Kagome's unrestricted feminine moans and groans spurned InuYasha on. He was now pushing into her harder, and faster and Kagome could hardly believe it was possible.

Finally, the inu female could take it no more. In a desperate need for some kind of break from the torturous pleasure she tried to pull away from the half-demon, tried to crawl away from him—if only for a moment.

She succeeded in maneuvering herself so that she was a few inches away from InuYasha, but as she suspected the escape was short-lived.

With a growl, far more thundering and fear-inducing than Kagome had ever heard—even when he was yelling at her earlier—he grabbed a hold of her leg, and dragged her back towards him.

It was an old time dance—the female was bound to try to flee submission to her mate at some point, and InuYasha knew it was time.

He re-positioned himself behind her and molded his body over hers. The second he sheathed himself back inside of her heat, his fangs sunk deep into the tender flesh of her neck—both to keep her in place, and to deposit his youki more fully, and more permanently into her soul. This would finish that binding they had started earlier.

He practically purred when his energies met no resistance, and she accepted him completely in the binding of their souls.

Kagome screamed without abandon when her release came, and InuYasha followed seconds later. They collapsed onto the bed, Kagome content, already half asleep on her stomach, and InuYasha, one hand across her back, nuzzling the crook or her neck.

When he regained his breath, he repositioned Kagome so her back was to his front, and fell asleep with a smirk upon his face.

The Lord's plan to retrieve his daughter had finally been put into action.

It was high time he called in the debt he was owed.

Word had been sent to a tribe about half a day's travel from his home. The clan specialized in hunting down youkai. More accurately they were better equipped to exterminate those youkai, but there had been other occasions were they were commissioned to track missing youkai for other youkai clans, and had been very successful in their missions as well.

Lord Higurashi expected them to arrive very soon. And because this clan was the best of the best he expected his desired results. Anything less would be unacceptable.

The opening of his great hall door disrupted the lord from his musings.

"My Lord, your guests have arrived. Shall I send them in?" A servant questioned, her head only poking through the large wooden doors.

"Yes," was the Lord's curt reply.

When the troupe entered, he was mildly surprised by what he saw. There was one adult male, followed by an adult female. The last to enter was a youthful male, probably in his mid-teens. Though taken aback by what he viewed as a rag-tag group, Lord Higurashi decided not to dwell on it too much.

"We are honored you have called upon us, My Lord." The man spoke with a bow.

His female companion nodded her agreement at the male's words, while the youth simply stared, as if taken aback by the sight of the demon lord. The inu youkai suspected he had never been so close to one before.

Wasting no time getting to the point, Lord Higurashi spoke.

"I have called you here to retrieve my wayward daughter. She has become a bit of a handful as of late, and her most recent tantrum has caused her to run away. You are to track her and bring her back here by any means necessary short of killing her or harming her permanently. Beyond those requirements nothing is off limits. I expect you to do what you have to do to capture her and bring her home. She is very stubborn and may be difficult to subdue. "

"Yes, Higurashi-sama." The three slayers said at the same time, bowing their heads once again.

"The head of my guard will brief you further on the situation. I expect to see my daughter home in no more than a couple days. You are dismissed."

The following morning Kagome woke to an empty bed. Her heart became heavy with worry. Did he regret their previous nights actions?

Slipping from bed and loosely tying together damaged kimono, she exited the hidden home and followed his scent trail.

When she did find him he was almost waist deep in a near by stream. His chest was exposed as he wore only the bottom half of his attire. Kagome approached him quietly, all the while admiring the man that was now her mate.

She could sense the power and strength emanating off him in waves, and watched as his muscles rippled when he jerked forward suddenly and tossed a fish he had caught on the riverbank.

Kagome knew he'd be a good provider and that any pups they had would be strong. Briefly her hands brushed over her stomach at the thought of bearing his children.

The wind blew then, carrying her scent to the half-demon and he looked up at her. Their eyes met, and Kagome hesitated in her steps, suddenly scared and unsure. There was the possibility of rejection weighing heavily upon her mind.

They hadn't really talked at all after last night, and Kagome had no idea if he was still upset with her or not.

Neither said anything for several moments as they stared at one another. In fact, the only sounds that could be heard were the slapping and jumping of the fish on the bank as it tried desperately to find its way back into the water.

Kagome found herself urgently needing to touch InuYasha; she needed confirmation that he still wanted her. Their mating was still early on, and while on its way to becoming permanent—there was still time to reverse things if one or the other changes their mind.

Because a mating was permanent once complete and you were stuck with each other for life, this allowed for pairs to be sure. Given a few more days, the bond would cement and there would be no going back. Kagome felt sick at the thought of rejection.

Not that the breaking of the union was in any way easy. It was painful for both parties, and not something often done. But because mating was a serious matter, the fates made it so there was always the possibility—at least initially—of separation. On rare occasions, things just didn't work out and that threshold for separation was needed. Kagome shuddered at the idea.

InuYasha didn't move as she approached him. His eyes watched her intently and gave no indication to his emotions.

Inside, he was still bothered by the fact that she had used him, but at the same time unable to grasp that idea that he now had a mate—a willing female to share his life with. This was more than anything a hanyou such as him could have ever hoped for.

The water was cold and sent shivers up Kagome's spine but she was determined to reach the inu hanyou.

Once she was less than a foot from him, she reached out her hand, needing him to make the next move—which he did without hesitation.

She suddenly found herself embraced against his warm body, his lips locked heavily upon hers. Any worry either of them may have had disappeared as quickly as it had come. Kagome kissed him back with the same fervor, the heat of their passion overtaking her body. She wrapped her legs around his waist, needing to feel him, needing to be close to him.

InuYasha held her securely, not once breaking the kiss as he led them from the water. The fish he had caught earlier was forgotten as InuYasha laid Kagome on the grass not far from the water's edge and continued his sweet torture upon her body.

It took Kagome several moments to regain her senses as she attempted to put some distance between them. "InuYasha…" She whispered, finding it difficult to speak as he trailed kisses down her neck.

She tried to push him away, but he wouldn't budge. The half-demon was quite determined as he licked the juncture of her neck causing Kagome to gasp in pleasure. The spot was still sensitive from where he had bitten her.

"InuYasha," She said again, this time more firmly.

The hanyou grunted in response but refused to put an end to his actions.

Kagome was finding it increasingly difficult to form coherent thought let alone speech, but she was unwavering. Mating was an extremely vulnerable time for a pair, and often only done in places of utter seclusion to ensure the safety of one another. She felt extremely vulnerable in such an intimate position out in the open like this.

By now, the hanyou had somehow managed to remove her Kimono and was working on untying his when Kagome finally found the words she was looking for.

"What if someone finds us?" She asked, unable to hide the worry in her voice. "Maybe we should go back."

InuYasha paused immediately and looked into her sapphire eyes, understanding her anxiety. "I'll protect you. I promise."

And she would let him. He had earned the right. She has bestowed it upon him whole-heartedly, and he deserved her complete trust.

InuYasha was so sincere that she ran her nose along his chin in appreciation and contentment.

And with that, she kissed him deeply and allowed the half-demon to have his way with her.

"It is an odd request, is it not, Sango?"

The trio of demon exterminators had just begun their journey, heading off in the direction the Demon Lord's head of guard had sent them off in.

"It is, Miroku." The woman answered, still taken aback at the task at hand. Their debt with the demon lord had been one that had lasted over hundreds of years after he had saved them from a spider demon that had almost destroyed their entire clan. Were it not for his generosity, she knew she wouldn't be here today.

"It doesn't really matter, does it? In the end, if this is how we return the debt that was placed upon us, that is the important thing here right, Sister?" The youngest of the three spoke up.

Over the course of the hundred years since the demon lord had saved them, he had made sure the exterminator clan had remembered what was owed to him, and that he could call on them at any time to do his bidding.

"You are absolutely right, Kohaku." His sister answered proudly. "As long as we bring honor to our family that is all that matters. Kirara," The young woman said to her demon companion, "let's go!"

The seconds before twin-tailed kitten sized animal, in a burst of flames, became a huge saber-toothed cat youkai.

Just before the trio were to set off on their journey they were stopped by what they assumed was the Lady of the house, based on her extravagant dress.

"My Lady, how can we help you?" The man named Miroku spoke.

"Please, do not be too rough with my daughter. She is a bit misguided at times, but a good child nonetheless. My mate can be a bit harsh when his feelings are hurt. He and our daughter were very close, and I think he feels a bit betrayed by her actions. You have to understand." There was softness in her eyes that endeared her two the three travelers.

"Of course, My Lady. We will do our best!" It was the young boy, Kohaku, who spoke this time.

"Thank you, that is all I ask of you." The Lady of the house nodded to each one last time, before disappearing into the trees.

With nothing else to hold them back, the trio were finally off on their journey.

Words cannot express how wonderful you all truly are. Your reviews and words of encouragement have truly meant so much to me! I feel so blessed to have such amazing people who read what I write and who take the time to review the stories I put out there. I love you all and am grateful to have you with me as we move along this journey!

SURPRISE! Did anyone see that coming?! Review and tell me what you thought of this chapter! I have very little of the next chapter written, so only time will tell when I'll be able to update again! Though I'll try my best to get it out asap! It shouldn't be too unbearably long of a wait, I hope!

If you see any errors, please let me know so I can fix them!