A little delayed on my updating schedule but I have clawed my way back from the depths of sleep deprivation and junk food comas just for this chapter!

A lot of effort went into the length of this update so I hope it keeps you all satisfied for now. Thanks so much for the encouraging reviews and favs! It keeps me going!

Chapter Five

Appetite


Silvery moonlight glowed through the plain glass window of the small comfortably enclosed bedroom of the currently beaming priestess inside.

The shading of the ghostly light from the midnight hour taking place outside repelled only slightly by the brightly lit bulb overhead as Kagome stood proudly taking in her reflection.

Her full length mirror was spotless and cast a perfect outline of her ever so slightly changing body.

To think an entire day had came and went without her noticing a single thing about herself and her obviously altered appearance.

But it was partially to be expected. After all she hadn't had much time to herself these last couple of weeks.

Since discovering one of Kouga's not so well kept secrets of his financial state it had been hard to deny the wolf demon she cared for anything.

Constantly wanting to take her to fine eateries or trying to lavish her with expensive gift that he "insisted she needed". Graciously though she had managed to escape no worse off and unwanted presentless.

She admired the azure eyed wolf for trying but honestly she was perfectly content with how her life was going. Aside from the growing financial issues of her own household that she had yet to address.

Still at a moment like this, it was hard to let anything distract her.

Ever since she emerged from the shower just a few moments ago wearing what little pajamas she could squeeze her upper half into her hand instinctively had fallen to her navel.

Maybe it had been coincidence or just blind tracing but what she felt hadn't gone unnoticed.

Unlike every other time she had felt over her stomach it wasn't as flat as it always had been. No. Instead a small ever so light 'bump' was beginning to swell the lowest part of her abdomen.

From the outside looking in the normal eye probably wouldn't even have noticed it at all. But, Kagome had.

After several weeks of knowing who was growing inside her yet seeing no visible trace. Finally being able to not only see but feel an actual development of her child. It was almost beyond words.

It felt like hours she had been staring star struck in the mirror her hazel eyes focused on nothing but the newest change in her body.

She had lost count of just how many times she had cupped or stroked her soften skin in already over flowing adoration.

Her baby was growing, and it made her world seem all the brighter.

Though it did come as a bit more of shock to notice it hadn't just been her stomach that was currently enlarging.

Much to Kagome's surprise and slightly shock. Her breast seemed to have grown at least a full cup size bigger.

She had read this was a part of normal pregnancy, but she never thought it would happen this soon. Or to be more bluntly that such a change would occur without any really healthy benefits. She wasn't ready to nurse. Her swollen mounds were completely dry. So why were they so much larger?

Her train of thought kept returning to her latest appointment with . That this was all part of her altered pregnancy. Which had been a more gentle way of stating her demon pregnancy was going to effect her in more than one way.

But, Kagome was prepared for it all. Especially if she got to enjoy blissful moments like this. To actually hold her child, even if it was just skin deep.

Still grinning from ear to ear and currently trying to ignore the way she practically looked poured into her pajamas tank top Kagome patted her fingertips ever so softly over her barely visible 'bump'.

She just couldn't wait to meet him. Or her.

Hearing the slight tapping of water beginning to stream down her sealed bedroom window Kagome turned to peer outside watching as the droplets began to grow in both size and speed.

The low rumble of thunder capable of being heard even through her thick and tightly sealed walls.

Kagome sighed tiredly. She had let the earlier news report of an approaching storm completely slip her mind.

Then again it felt unnecessary to prepare, it was time for bed after all. She would most likely sleep right through the downpour.

Reluctantly Kagome stepped to her risen beds rim before pulling back the thick pink comforter. As she had done a thousand times before she curled herself between the soft fabric and her cool sheets.

She hadn't noticed how exhausted she was until right now. And with the rising sound of rain drowning out any other form of noise it was hard to fight off the hard grip of sleep much longer.

With her last bit of conserved energy Kagome raised her warm hand to her navel once more. For the first time in what seemed like ages, she actually had someone to help her peacefully sleep through the night.

And she couldn't help but smile.


Hard relentless rain fell like a waterfall over the rusted tin roof rim. Wave after wave of the icy cold spray drenching the cracked pavement and flooding the desolate streets.

Through narrow and visibly drained azure eyes Kouga watched the downpour rage on from his temporarily dry spot. Braced back first against the beyond weather damaged warehouse he had just recently emerged from.

Edgily Kouga flicked an overly used and slightly chewed up toothpick back and forth over his handsome lips. God he wanted a cigarette.

He usually did after a fight like tonight.

But his vow to Kagome stood firm and the wolf demon satiated his craving for nicotine with a mint flavor wooden splinter. It was shitty substitute but it helped take a bit of the edge off.

Kouga would have laughed at his own misery but he knew the humor wouldn't be worth the pain. His abdomen was killing him enough as it was just standing here.

It couldn't be helped though. After taking the damage he had tonight.

The pit definitely had its advantages and disadvantages. Today being the latter of the two. A small part of Kouga had wished he hadn't answered the damn phone when Rekin had called.

Apparently some wannabe runt decided they had the gall to challenge Kouga and his current title. So naturally he had been obligated to accept.

It would have been an easy enough match to win uninjured. The challenger was just some ballsy young demon, no discipline or training whatsoever. It would have been an easy knock out. Three minutes tops.

But unfortunately tonight had been one of those rare nights that Kouga intentionally had to take a believable amount of hits.

It kept the crowd from believing the fights were rigged. Which they definitely were not. But match after match and victory after victory it had been pointed out that if so many opponents hit the dirt within the first five minutes. It was an easy enough thing to believe they were set up.

So Kouga and a few others had thought of a solution. Ever so often they would let the person they fought against get one good free shot. Without them knowing of course.

It kept the fights interesting and kept the crowds roaring, which in turn kept the pit funded.

Still nights like this, for lack of a better word. Blowed.

Kouga had thought a scrawny looking thing like the one he had just fought would have of course taken his free shot with the damage being nothing more then a bruise or two.

Sadly that hadn't been the case.

The kid hadn't just grazed him with a punch or elbow. No, his entire shin had met Kouga's unprotected chest with a brutal kick!

Kouga could still remember the impact, so fierce it had skid him literal feet backwards until he slammed back first into the arenas wooden walls.

So hard in fact the beams had cracked against his weight and made the very bleachers overhead tremble.

Needless to say after regaining his broken and heavily uneven breath Kouga hadn't made the same mistake twice. He had finished the guy as soon as possible.

Though it wasn't in his usual fashion of doing things. He hadn't killed the kid after all, just beat him into unconsciousness. He considered that merciful enough.

Then a few blurred and rushed hours later here he was. Standing outside the club trying to ignore the painful throb still radiating from his ribs and waiting for a break in the shitty weather.

"And here I thought you would be polluting your lungs by now?" A sharp and drastically sarcastic voice asked while emerging from Kouga's side.

Kouga peeked an azure eye in the direction of Rekin, his usual suit dressed form cloaked by a no doubt overly expensive raincoat.

"Don't tempt me." Kouga groaned laying his head against the rusted metal at his back.

"An eventful night." Rekin stated coyly his clawed fingers buried in the lining of his deep silken pockets.

"What the hell do you want Rekin?" Kouga growled lowly. His patience had officially been used for the night, and honestly he didn't have any left to spare. Especially to the demon at his right.

"I'm curious is all." The tie wearing demon shrugged.

"You didn't kill him." Rekin added bluntly, recalling the non existent blood bath he had been preparing himself for.

Kouga took a heavy breath trying to ignore the uncomfortable amount of strain it brought to his still pounding abdomen.

"You bitched because I killed the last one. Now what? You want me to kill'em?" Kouga asked frustrated his azure eyes focusing up at the still merciless amount of water flooding down in front of him.

"I didn't think it mattered to you either way? Besides, I'd be naive if I didn't notice just a little bit of behavioral changes in you lately." Rekin said with a lingering gleam of curiosity in his ghostly eyes.

"Such as?" Kouga asked flat and uncaring. Honestly, this conversation was even more painful then tonight's fight had been.

"You didn't kill your opponent. Intentionally. And you apparently have stopped inhaling your cancer of choice?" The silver eyed demon hinted his gaze falling to Kouga's still firmly bitten down toothpick.

Kouga smiled a humorless smirk.

"I could get cancer just by listening to you." Kouga snorted before straightening his slumped figure.

Without any sort of visible reaction he pushed away from the damaged warehouse and stepped out into the raging weather without a second thought.

"Strike a nerve?" Rekin asked smugly from his still protected dry spot under the overhanging roof.

"Wanna come?" Kouga suggested through the spray currently drenching his bronze skin.

"Oh wait. Wouldn't want you to stain that prissy outfit of yours. Someone might actually think you had a pair?" Kouga smirked.

Rekin didn't respond but silent fury flashed across his sharpen eyes and at the sight Kouga only smiled wider revealing his gleaming pearl fangs.

"Have a nice night sweetheart." Kouga called over his shoulder with a smug wave of his calloused hand and the spitting out of his toothpick.

And even over the pounding rain the utterance of thick and hateful swear words could be heard forming behind him.

Kouga felt a dark chuckle build in his throat at the sound.

Like he thought before, the club definitely had some advantages.


It was like being in a thick dampened fog. This feeling. This place. It was nothing but a darken haze and a gradually heating void.

The hazel eyes staring up at the vast emptiness didn't understand. What was this place? Nothing seemed real. It was all so blurry, so unclear.

Even her thoughts seemed to be heavily mudded. Leaving her struggling in her motionless state for every trapped word.

Though she might not have been able to think clearly. The same could not be said for her senses. Every trace or hint of feeling more heightened then they had ever been before.

Her naked skin tingled like it was being kissed by midnight air. The unfamiliar sensation leaving goosebumps in its wake until her entire body shuddered from the soften assault.

She couldn't react, she didn't have the will to. Something about this feeling, this touch it felt so right…so familiar.

The formless tracing continued over her completely exposed skin from the slope of her shoulder to the tips of her fingers. Her heart raced faster and her blood began to heat beneath the skin.

What was happening? Her body…it was beginning to ache. To crave.

The unchecked feeling spreading like wildfire throughout her entire body. Making her arch and wither with the blissful ministration.

It was caressing her breast, her hips, her most sensitive and feminine of areas. It felt so good, so dark and primal.

Just like it had when…

The already broken thought cracked completely at the suddenly new feeling taking over her paralyzed body.

The softness of the touches she had felt dissipated. It was now carnal and hard with long passionate strokes of clawed fingers.

Pearl teeth sunk into shimmering pink lips to stifle a building moan of satisfaction. There was no mistaking it.

This touch, this utter desire and need with every caress. It was him, she knew it. She felt it.

Then softly through bleary hazel eyes the darken grey void before her partially separated only enough to allow her one single glace at the figure still holding her to him.

Darken skin that contrasted her pearl color. Long impossibly bright silver stands of unbound hair.

And above all else…unforgettable sharpen orbs of pure amber.

The bedroom positively shook with the reverberating force of the booming thunder exploding across the blacken sky!

Kagome felt her eyes shoot open but otherwise her body still curled in the messed pile of her bed remained motionless.

Her frenzied mind trying to gather itself from the world it had just been ripped out of.

She blinked a few times before instinctively her hand skimmed the empty half of the pillow her head still rested upon.

So she was no longer dreaming? It felt so strange. She felt more alert then she could ever currently remember being, but judging by how absolutely black it was in her bedroom she hadn't been asleep for more then an hour or so.

Kagome sighed softly. She felt so conflicted. Like the dream she had just emerged from had some deep meaning beneath it? She couldn't even remember it. It was all gone.

All except. The feelings. The lingering feelings…

Tiredly Kagome pulled herself up right untangling her slender limbs from the soften sheets of her bed before slinging her bare feet over the rim to touch the cool harden floor.

Everything was so dark. Too dark to make out any shape or form. Were it not for the lone stream of barely visible light parting through the undrawn curtain window she might not have been able to see the rain still pouring down against the glass.

Though it hardly looked like rain at all. More like tidal waves crashing against the side of her house.

Crossing her arms over her slightly chilled figure Kagome stepped towards the fogged glass. An endless barrage of thick water the only thing she could see, aside from the second by second flash of distant lightning.

Kagome gripped her bare shoulders tightly. At least she wasn't out there.

Then another almost deafening boom of thunder cracked the already scattered silence of the outside making Kagome jump slightly.

Shaking off her now more jittery state Kagome stepped away from the blurred window towards the opposite side of her sealed bedroom.

She reached for the light switch flicking the knob upwards expecting her room to fill instantly with bright illuminating light. But instead, nothing.

Kagome squinted through the darkness before flicking the switch again back and forth at least two more times.

Bowing her head she sighed heavily.

"Great." She mumbled. Not only had this storm robbed her of a goodnight sleep, it had also taken her power.

Remaining more level headed then she originally thought she would be capable of, she turned to the wall mounted drawers at her side.

Thankfully she had kept a flashlight handy. Though usually its only purpose had been to occasionally check under her bed for things that might have hidden themselves away under there. Most times being her chapstick or favorite pen.

Taking hold of the plastic cylinder Kagome slid the wide blacken switch upwards. Instantly a sharp beam of light burst from the circular glass top lighting the hard surface of her closed door.

Kagome breathed a bit easier, at least the batteries had kept.

Reaching with her non preoccupied hand Kagome turned the knob to her door before stepping outside into the equally if not impossibly darker hallway.

Had Kagome not walked this house a thousand times over she might have been a little hesitant about fumbling around in the dark.

But luckily she knew the lay out of her house like the back of her hand. So it wouldn't be to much trouble to feel her way downstairs.

Gripping tightly to the wooden railing of the descending steps Kagome walked forward all the while her pointed flashlight illuminating every slope she took.

She might have felt comfortable visualizing her home with a limited light source but that didn't mean she wanted to venture around more then necessary.

Watching all the rain fall mere seconds ago had made her realize just how desperately thirsty she had become.

After a nice bottle of water she would find her way back upstairs and try and forcefully manage some sleep. She didn't even know what time it was? But it felt very late, or very early? Either way, she needed to try and rest, booming thunder and all.

Emerging inside the kitchen Kagome set the thought aside before working her way around the circular dinner table and towards the refrigerator.

With a quick tug she pried the cool metallic door open and snatched the first bottle of crisp water she spotted, trying to let as little of the confined cold air out as possible. Who knew when the power would be back on?

Setting her flashlight down temporarily she leaned against the marble counter at her back before twisting the plastic top off and sipping the liquid down slowly.

It soothed her dry throat instantly and quelled her uneasy stomach.

On her third sip Kagome moved the bottle away form her lips before placing the cold plastic to her cheek. Enjoying the dampened texture against her heated face.

It was a little hard to describe her bodies inner workings at this point. Her skin felt warm to the touch but on the inside she almost felt like shivering. All but her face that was visibly flushed and heated.

Kagome breathed deeply tracing the sweating bottle of water against her neck.

It helped with her tenseness, that she only now realized was increasing ever since being pulled out of her dream so abruptly.

She really didn't understand what had been so lingering about a dream that she couldn't even recall clearly? It was so strange.

She hadn't seen anything, anything that had solid form but for whatever reason she could recall the feelings she had awoken with.

Like her skin had been touched, sensually touched.

Kagome's hazel eyes soften at the thought. Maybe it hadn't been a dream at all. Maybe it was a memory?

After all she only had one person to draw experience from.

She would never have the nerve to admit this out loud, to anyone. But, for the most part she was sure it was apparent. Especially in her current condition.

Inuyasha hadn't just been her first love, he was also her first and only lover. Before him, she had just been a naïve school girl who hadn't even kissed a boy before.

All that had changed though after the defeat of Naraku. When the two of them had settled into their lives, their once peaceful lives.

Inuyasha had taken her to places she until that point hadn't known existed. In all honestly it had been remarkable, that the half demon she had known all that time could have such a tender and passionate side.

The way he had touched her, kissed her. She could still remember even now how his clawed hands had felt grazing over her skin while they laid body to naked body in the privacy of their home.

Kagome closed her eyes tightly at the memory. What she wouldn't give to go back there, even for just a minute.

To have Inuyasha kiss her just once the way he had before. To feel his arms around her.

Setting the bottle of water on the counter at her side Kagome sighed heavily gripping hold of the marble counter with both flatten palms.

Maybe her advancing pregnancy wasn't just causing excitement and blissful joy? It was also capable of bringing painful wants and memories to the surface.

Kagome's deepening thoughts instantly halted at the jarring sound of the furthest kitchen window snapping open from its center lock.

Frightened Kagome gripped hold of her flashlight for guidance pointing towards the rushing sound of water and roaring outside wind.

Composing herself quickly Kagome hurriedly stepped over towards the swinging glass and wooden frame before sealing the flailing duo back into place securely.

After latching the lock Kagome peered down at her slightly dampened appearance. Of all the nights for her to wear a white tank top and no bra?

She wasn't nearly soaked but the small droplets that had soaked into her pajama top weren't unnoticeable. Especially with her breast still being as 'enhanced' as they had become.

Kagome shook the thought away. It really didn't matter, it wasn't like she was having company? Particularly with weather like this.

Returning to more important matters Kagome shined her still clutched flashlight down towards the harden floor.

She had better make sure no water had spilled by her feet. The last thing she wanted was to have a slip because of a few hidden drops.

It was so odd though now that she thought about it. She could have sworn she had locked this window before going to bed?

Then drastically shifting her gently peeked suspicion to sudden jarring panic the hard gleam of Kagome's flashlight illuminated the floor beneath her feet and all it held bare.

It wasn't just a beyond abnormal amount of water on the floor reflecting back at her. But heavily mud embroider footprints. Large footprints.

Kagome felt the color drain from her face and her heart drop into her stomach.

Someone was in her house.

Then suddenly Kagome became deathly aware of a figure overshadowing her back. A scream bubbled in her throat and she was sure had it had the opportunity to escape the next continent would have been able to hear her!

But forcefully the figure lurched forward a strong hand cupping over Kagome's lips muffling any noise she might have made. Another gripping her shoulder and pulling her much smaller frame to their own.

Kagome thrashed violently sheer terror rampaging through her system as she clawed and kicked blindly at the unknown figure gripping onto her!

The plastic flashlight fell from her hand and instantly the light bounced shining widely before rolling away altogether leaving Kagome blinded and helpless.

"Hey!" An all to familiar voice shouted down into Kagome's ear.

"Kagome!? Relax! It's me!" The husky tone reassured sternly.

Kagome's body immediately stilled and her eyes rounded an even more impossible shape wider at the sound.

Once he felt the now motionless priestess still in his grip Kouga eased his calloused hand away from her shoulder and mouth freeing her entirely.

It had only taken a second or two before he wished he hadn't.

Furiously the priestess spun to face him her still trembling hands shoving into his soaked chest angrily almost forcefully enough to make him take a steadying step backwards.

"Are you out of your mind!? You almost gave me a heart attack!" Kagome shouted heatedly. It was clear her relief of not being murdered or robbed wasn't outweighing her now rampaging anger.

"Yeah. I noticed that." Kouga mumbled not yet brave enough to whisper his sarcastic reply loudly.

"What are you doing here!?" Kagome shouted taking a separating step backwards trying to restrain herself from shoving the wolf demon again only this time with a little trace of spiritually charged powers.

Kouga opened his mouth to reply but only now being able to take in Kagome's drastically altered appearance fully made the words die in his throat.

Her hair sleek and bundled with soft waves, a little messed from apparent sleep. Her hazel eyes were wide with agitation but no less exuberant. But her body…

Kouga could have sworn his jaw slacked at the sight.

Her body was even more lusciously curved than he originally thought. The skimpy little shreds of fabric acting as her pajamas only adding to that realization.

The pale off pink shorts hugged her thighs sinfully tight revealing just how gloriously her ass curved. While the white tank top she looked basically sewed into hung over her navel exposing her flatten stomach and cream colored skin.

Though all of that combined hardly distracted from the absolutely magnificent sight of her barely covered breast. Which right now he could clearly see the buds of her nipples straining against the tissue thin fabric.

Kouga was grateful for the absence of light, because right now he was almost positive he was flat out drooling.

"Urgh! Look at the floor!" Kagome shrieked snapping Kouga out of his gawking stare and back to the present.

"O-Oh sorry about that." Kouga stammered trying to avoid moving his mud coated boots any further then he already had.

"It was a long walk." He added thinking just how many absolutely drenched streets he had sprinted down, and honestly trying to focus on anything other than Kagome's body.

"How did you even get in here?" Kagome asked more demanding in her voice then curiosity.

"I climbed through the window." Kouga admitted directly remembering how much work it had been to maneuver that stupid lock of its latch from the outside.

In all actuality the thought of just breaking the damn thing and replacing it later had crossed his mind. But considering how pissed Kagome currently was just for the slightly mucked floor, he was glad he hadn't taken his chances.

"You broke in?" Kagome blinked in utter shock.

"Technically. But what was I suppose to do? I called and your phone was out. I got worried." Kouga confessed, he hadn't made it halfway home before he had tried to get a hold of the absent priestess to make sure she would be alright through the storm.

And when the line had went directly to nothing but dial tone, he hadn't hesitated to cross the city storm and all.

"Just because I couldn't answer the phone is no excuse for you just to barge in to my house!" Kagome shouted angrily. Did anyone have more nerve then Kouga? It was like he wasn't even a person just one hundred percent concentrated frustration!

Kouga bowed his head reluctantly. He wasn't clueless. He knew he might have jumped then gun just climbing into Kagome's house and unintentionally scaring the living hell out of her.

But what else was he suppose to do? He didn't know any other way to make sure she was alright?

"Okay. I might have overreacted. Can you blame me?" Kouga asked apologetically but at the same time his azure eyes glancing towards the all but hurricane like weather rampaging outside.

Kagome jaw clenched and her eyes narrowed but she forced herself to take a deep calming breath.

The decision making on Kouga's behalf might not have been the most responsible, but it had come from good intentions.

But, just because she understood him. Didn't mean she was willing to over look this, just yet.

Looking at the slightly slumped wolf demon standing before her she sighed lowly.

"How long were you out there?" She asked reluctantly.

"A few minutes." Kouga lied secretly. He knew full well it had taken him nearly two hours to make it all the way here.

The damn rain had been merciless. Not to mention his still freshly sustained injuries had slowed him down quite a bit.

Kagome looked up at Kouga with a disbelieving stare. Even with the absence of any real source of light it was beyond clear Kouga was beyond soaked.

She could actually hear the continuous sound of water droplets falling from his coat and sleek hair.

"You'll be lucky if you don't catch a cold." Kagome said disapprovingly before brushing past the wolf demon towards the far back counter of the connecting room.

The only bright side to being left without her now burnt out flashlight was her eyes had plenty of time to adjust to the darkness of the house.

Skillfully and running on memory alone Kagome reached the wall mounted cabinet that a wide variety of cloths had collected over the years.

A sleeveless navy shirt and elastic band grey sweat pants seemed to be the closest thing Kouga might be able to work himself into.

Taking the pile neatly in hand she cautiously stepped back into the kitchen where Kouga still stood unmoving.

"Here." Kagome said evenly while handing the wolf demon the folded dry clothing.

Kouga took hold of them reluctantly.

"What are these for?" Kouga asked with an arch of his raven brow.

"You cant stay like this all night. You'll get sick for sure." Kagome explained matter of factly.

Against her better instinct she wasn't cruel enough to send Kouga back outside into weather like this.

So for the time being it looked like he had better get comfortable. After all the couch wasn't necessarily the softest places to sleep.

She expected her kind gesture to achieve a heart felt 'thank you' from the wolf demon standing before her but instead his only response was a coy smirk.

Kagome's brows arched in confusion. Was something funny?

Kouga's azure eyes met Kagome's slightly puzzled bordering on aggravated expression and his smirk grew all the wider the tip of his pearl fang over hanging the corner of his bottom lip sharply.

"You know? There are easier ways to get me naked." He said mischievously.

Kagome felt her face blush crimson and her annoyance flare.

"Do you want to go back outside?" She threatened.

Kouga chuckled out loud.

"Alright. Alright. I'll behave." Kouga promised smugly before crossing his arms over the rim of his drenched t-shirt. He tugged the material upwards exposing the hard sculpt of his hips before Kagome's voice made him stop.

"N-Not here! Go to the living room!" She shouted almost appalled at Kouga's blunt behavior.

Kouga only smirked to himself before doing as he was told. Making sure to kick out of his mucky shoes before taking a single step.

He was pretty sure he had tried Kagome's patience enough for one night.

Kagome watched him go before his broad form faded into the darkness of the next room. Then she turned towards the stove a few steps to her right.

Somehow she knew it was going to be a long night and she honestly didn't feel like struggling to see for the better part of it.

While Kouga changed in the next room Kagome preoccupied herself by turning on three of the four gas fueled stove burners.

It only took a second or two before the flames burst outwards softly illuminating the kitchen with a dim orange glow.

After a few more inventive minutes Kagome sighed contently taking a seat at the rounded table and gripping hold of her porcelain coffee mug now filled with steaming hot cocoa.

Taking hold of the still piping hot kettle from its safety grip top Kagome poured the just now re-entering wolf demon a cup of his own.

She watched it fill to the rim before setting the stainless pot back down on its padded holder centered at the polished table.

Then her hazel eyes fixed on the casually approaching wolf demon with visible surprise.

The cut and drastically over worn navy t-shirt she had given him was apparently two sizes to large. The excess underarm fabric hanging down to almost the bend is in muscularly sculpted arm.

Should he had lifted his shoulder for any reason she was almost completely sure she would have been able to see his entire torso. She quickly made a mental note to try and avoid staring.

"What's this?" Kouga asked arched browed as he gripped hold of the wooden chair back before spinning it towards him skillfully.

Kagome watched him halfway amused at his lack of posture as he sat seat backwards crossing his thick arms over the back of the chair now tightly pressed to his chest as his legs straddled either side of the flatten chair.

"Hot chocolate." Kagome replied while taking a very small sip of her heated brew.

Kouga took hold of the mugs handle with reluctance staring down at the brown colored drink with distrust.

"Got anything stronger?" He asked surprisingly straight faced.

Kagome had to stop herself from choking on her halfway swallowed mouthful of cocoa at the suggestion.

Kouga chuckled lowly.

"I'll take that as a no." He smirked before sloshing the porcelain mug back and chugging down the unknown scolding drink inside.

Instantly his azure eyes widen with strain as he forced down the lava like liquid before practically ripping the halfway downed cup from his burning lips.

"Shit! That's hot!" He roared.

Any other time Kagome might have been worried or even been partway upset for Kouga being so visibly strained/disrespectful while in her house. But looking at the wolf demons awkward expression only made bubbling giggles form in her throat before slipping past her smiling lips.

Kouga turned to the snickering priestess at his side watching as she cupped a hand over her mouth to try and stifle her growing laughter.

"Enjoyed that huh?" Kouga gruffed lowly.

Kagome only nodded while trying to collect herself not yet brave enough to meet Kouga's slightly annoyed gaze.

"Was that your version of pay back?" Kouga asked dryly. He had to hand it to the raven haired beauty, she was cunning.

"Complete accident." Kagome promised while thumbing away a half developed tear.

"But, I'll take full credit." She promised mischievously. This night wasn't turning out to be so bad after all.

Kouga rolled his sharpen eyes before leaning forward and resting his chin on the overlapping cross of his arms tiredly.

"So what were you doing up so late?" He sighed.

"I thought you humans liked your eight hours?" He added sarcastically.

Kagome circled the rim of her still full glass of sweeten brew with her index finger contently.

"Normally." She admitted. She would be the last person to deny that she both loved and always wanted an extended nights sleep.

"The storm woke me up." She whispered an unwanted flash of the dream she was struggling to recall flashing across her vision. She instantly shoved it away.

"Why were you out? Besides breaking and entry?" Kagome asked with a raised brow as she sipped her steaming drink.

The corner of Kouga's lip twitched with the threat of a smirk that never came.

"I had a few things to take care of." He admitted vaguely. He wouldn't go into detail about his somewhat eventful night. Or just how badly he wanted a shot or two of something a lot more potent then just hot chocolate to numb the lingering ache in his ribs.

Just thinking about now made an uncomfortable pulse of soreness shot through him until he was forced to adjust in his seat.

Rocking back slightly and lacing his fingers to cup the back of his head he stretched tensely completely unaware that the priestess at his side was watching his every move.

Kagome watched Kouga groan under his breath as he arched back in his chair lifting his arms and exposing the bronze skin of his side just like she had thought earlier.

Only instead of taking in an unwanted eyeful of nothing but solid muscle and sinfully well defined tone she saw something more. Something troubling and instantly worrisome.

Kouga's torso was indeed inhumanly chiseled as it always had been but marring his already scar coated chest were fresh bruises and blooded skin just beneath the surface and only a fragment of it was visible because of the pour lighting.

"Kouga!" Kagome gasped instantly scooting out of her chair to kneel at Kouga's side.

"What happened?" She asked directly her eyes glued to his side even as he re-adjusted to sit normally once again.

"Oh-" Kouga hesitated.

But Kagome was in no mood to wait for a response unashamed and without permission her hand was gripping the rim of Kouga's shirt and forcing the fabric up hurriedly.

"H-Hey Kagome!" Kouga stammered. It would have been a flat out lie if he admitted he even had a shred of modesty in him after all these years. But that was different when he was with a 'certain' type of woman for the night.

But this was Kagome. And the idea of her of all people disrobing him made him squirm in unease.

Kagome ignored Kouga's slight disapproval as she pushed the now bunched t-shirt all the way to his pectoral.

Her focused hazel eyes struggling to take in the full sight of what she was currently unwrapping.

The dim lighting was little help but poor visibility and all the damage done to Kouga's body was easy enough to assess.

"Kouga this looks bad." Kagome said directly but lingering traces of worry were laced through her words.

"It's not that big of a deal Kagome. Really." Kouga reassured her with believable sincerity as he tried to politely push the forcefully held fabric of his t-shirt back down.

But apparently his sly gesture to attempt and brush the would be tense situation off wasn't going to happen.

Without a word of response Kagome climbed to her feet fully before taking hold of Kouga's hand aggressively.

Giving the jarred wolf demon little to no reaction time she was pulling him to his feet right along side her while she marched determinedly towards the darken living room.

"W-Where are we going?" Kouga blinked following the unresponsive priestess step by step.

Skillfully and running on pure memory fueled instinct Kagome guided them through the largest of the two storied house until she was centered in the square room just in front of the heavily cushioned couch.

Reflexively she released Kouga's hand but continued forwards only hesitating a moment to snap a command over her shoulder.

"Sit." She said flatly as she continuously walked on.

Kouga decided quickly it would be better not to argue as he reluctantly sat on the worn couch cushion feeling it sink with his heavy weight.

The room was one thing, pure black. But having no real amount of light did little to his enhanced sight. He could see in the darkest of places with ease thanks to his demonic nature, and surprising as it was Kagome seemed to be able to do the same. Either that, or she had incredible memory when it came to the layout of her home.

While he sat in the dark watching as fatten endless streams of raindrops slid down the bay window at his side he could hear the low dragging and tussling of objects moving off in the distance.

Kagome was apparently rummaging for something.

Just when the thought crossed his mind that he might need to go help her search for whatever it was she was so hell bent on finding the priestess emerged back into the living room.

Carrying in hand what looked like a plastic lantern. Much like the ones he used when laboring at the construction sights.

Kagome set the dented glass wrapped cylinder on the center of the coffee table at her back as she twisted the switch on top. Instantly the room beamed with fresh buzzing light and Kouga reflexively squinted from the shine.

Kagome ignored the new adjustment to her surroundings even though she was extremely grateful she had remembered where her grandfather had kept his old fishing lantern. As she began placing a thick square metallic box Kouga only now realized she had also been carrying on the empty couch seat beside him.

Kouga's brow's arched in questioning. What was she up to?

He thought to ask but before the words Kouga form Kagome was on her knees before Kouga's lap and staring up at him with large and glimmering hazel eyes.

"Shirt off." She said directly.

"I didn't hear a please?" Kouga asked instinctively.

But the look Kagome shot up at him instantly told the wolf demon she was in absolutely no mood for joking.

Kouga sighed heavily before reaching behind his head and grabbing a fistful of the t-shirts back fabric before tugging it over his head in one swift movement.

"Happy?" He asked dryly but Kagome intentionally ignored his attempt at humor as she began reaching across to the open box at Kouga's side.

He watched silently as she pulled out a small silver tube that smelled like herbs and several cotton pads that reeked of some sort of unknown concoction.

She seemed incredibly focused and Kouga tried not to distract her but silence was never good to him especially in a situation like this.

Without the distraction of speaking Kouga couldn't help but take in the oh so erotic sight of the woman kneeling just inches in front of him.

Kagome's slightly skimpy night cloths after all hadn't gotten any less revealing and being able to see her in actual decent lighting only made her appearance that much more tempting.

The way the light illuminated her already naturally creamy skin and from the way her body was rocking and adjusting back and forth as she reached for the things she needed.

It wasn't till he felt the soft mound of her breast accidentally bump against the knob of his knee that Kouga forcibly turned his face away, his jaw clenching in visible strain.

He and Kagome really needed to establish some ground rules when they were together, the most important being a dress code.

Then again, he really didn't have that much room to judge. He after all was sitting here half naked, no shirt and a pair of sweats that hung dangerously lowly on the hard lines of his hips.

Though Kagome barely seemed to notice.

He wondered briefly just what was going through that pretty head of hers before a searing pain pushed itself onto his already throbbing abdomen just below his pectoral.

Kouga's fangs barred and low growl rippled through at the stinging sensation.

"Sorry." Kagome whispered softly as she dabbed another cotton pad soaked with antiseptic on the bloodied area still focused in her hazel orbs.

"I know it stings." She admitted wishing their was another less punishing way to clean away Kouga's outer trauma, sadly though she knew there wasn't.

"Yeah. No. Feels great." Kouga groaned through clenched fangs.

"Son of a bitch! What's in this stuff? Acid?" Kouga thought secretly but didn't dare let the unrestrained idea leave his tighten lips.

Kagome traced the soaked cleansing pad more softly over Kouga's gashed skin noticing all the while as she cleaned away what little outer wounds their were. Most of the damage was internal.

Her eyes were soften but at the same time changing from their exuberant hazel color to deep chocolate as she took in the upsetting sight.

She hadn't been this close to Kouga before, she hadn't seen the damage his body had taken over the years. What he had recovered from, what he had endured.

Their were so many scars, so many different shapes and sizes that marred his bronze skin. He was just so, for lack of a better word. Damaged.

Attentively and knowing full well treating his wounds this limited would only do so much to numb the pain she wiped away what traces of ointment remained.

Discarding the darken now blood stained pads for the thick bandages that she knew would at least help keep the strain from Kouga's newly injured body.

Reaching for the woven roll of thick wrapping Kagome began winding the protective layering one line at a time round and round Kouga's torso looping each line under his arms.

Kouga sat motionless as Kagome leaned forward towards him her chest only inches from pressing to his own as she somewhat embraced him while winding the wrapping around his chest.

Being this close it was hard to keep from breathing in her always so intoxicating scent. Why did she always smell so damn good?

Kouga decided he didn't want to tolerate the clearly one sided tension for much longer as he finally broke the silence between them.

"What? No blushing? I actually know a few girls who think my scars are sexy. Even the new ones." Kouga smirked smugly.

Kagome knew Kouga well enough to know when he was trying to make light of a serious situation. But unlike previous times before now, she wasn't in the mood for joking. At all.

"It's not going to scar." Kagome said evenly and without really any trace of visible emotion across her solemn face.

"Too bad. Would have made a good one." Kouga shrugged uncaringly. What was one more?

Instead of respond Kagome finished the last of her weaving. Tying the knot of the bandages securely with one hard pinch and knowingly making Kouga flinch from the tightness.

Kouga stared down at his newly partially mummified form with a sigh. At least the pain was a bit more manageable then before.

He supposed a thank you was in order but when he opened his mouth to do just that Kagome's harden tone cut him off quickly.

"This happened at that place didn't it?" She whispered dryly not daring to meet Kouga's gaze as she pulled away to kneel before him.

Kouga misjudged the seriousness of her tone as he casually leaned back further against the sofa's inviting cushions before replying.

"Yeah. Lucky shot." He yawned tiredly.

Kagome only stared remorsefully at the carpeted floor beneath her. He just didn't get it? Did he?

Kouga felt the air between them harden with thickening tension. And he tilted his head to the side to stare down at Kagome's unmoving form.

Why did she look so upset? He was the one who almost got a hole kicked through his chest.

"What's with the serious face? You just said my looks aren't in danger. Most important thing right?" He smirked teasingly.

"I should put these up." Kagome said bluntly as she climbed to her feet scooping up what medical supplies she kept handy.

And secretly eager to put just a little more distance between her and the overly nonchalant wolf demon sitting before her.

Kouga instantly noticed her more drastic change of posture and increased tenseness as she began stepping away from him a bit to hurriedly.

"Kagome-" He started but she didn't hesitate only continued to brush past him all too determinedly.

Kouga climbed to his feet immediately following after her step for step until he reached out and gripped hold of her wrist softly making her halt in her frenzied pace.

"Come on. You know I was just kidding with you? Are you really upset?" He asked doubtfully, but the look Kagome gave him when she turned to face him answered his question all to quickly.

"Yes." She said directly pulling herself out of Kouga's hold with one hard tug as she held his azure and slightly confused gaze full force.

"I don't understand you." Kagome breathed worriedly, and conflicted. Catching Kouga completely off guard.

"You have plenty of money. Probably more then you'll ever need-" Kagome trailed before forcefully making her mind stay focused on the matter at hand.

"So why are you doing this? Why are you fighting?" Kagome gestured towards his entire being with one hard motion of her hand.

"It made sense to me when I thought you were doing it for survival. But, you're not. You don't have too-" Kagome said bitterly. Secretly angry at the misguided choices Kouga was making, and the helpless way she was standing by to do nothing but watch.

"Look what you're putting yourself through?" Kagome whispered upsettingly.

Kouga was silent. Far to apprehensive to respond to Kagome in such a clearly worried state just yet.

He rolled over his next words carefully in his head. And only a few sounded plausible enough to appease her.

"It's complicated." He whispered. Coming as close to the truth as he could manage.

Kagome shook her head in disbelief as she sighed out heavily in disbelief. Nothing was ever easy with him was it? Why did he always have to be this way? So distant? So, hidden?

Exhausted more at her own raging emotions then anything else Kagome leaned wordlessly on the arm of the couch not yet willing enough to sit fully in defeat.

"It always is." She said lowly.

"Kagome-" Kouga breathed. Fighting with Kagome, again. Was the last thing he wanted. But he didn't know what to say? What did she want to hear? What would make her understand?

"I promised myself-" Kagome began cutting Kouga off all to quickly before he could talk himself out of this situation like he had in the past.

"I wouldn't pry into your life. That I wouldn't judge the decisions you make. Because I know, deep down their none of my business-" Kagome whispered.

Kouga instantly opened his mouth in protest. It was true he and Kagome weren't really anything to each other. Friends, sure. But that didn't give them the right to dictate each others lives.

But that didn't mean he didn't value or care about her opinion at all. Everything Kagome said or wanted to say to him, he would openly listen. He did care about her after all. He always had.

"But I cant help it." Kagome whispered bowing her head shameful at her own reluctance to just let Kouga's life and choices be just that, his.

"Seeing you likes this-" She began timidly. "I cant."

Unwillingly Kagome felt herself shudder and her lower lip tremble with the growing threat of tears about to cloud to the surface of her darken hazel eyes.

"Hey-" Kouga reassured lightly reaching for her until he grasped hold of her elbow tenderly.

"You make it sound like I'm dying. Their just bruises Kagome." He promised softly. It was so easy to forget just how fragile humans were. How much they could worry or care over the smallest of things.

"You've broken two ribs." Kagome corrected lowly looking up at Kouga's now surprised gaze.

Kouga temporarily hesitated for a response. He hadn't even noticed. Sure his torso was killing him, but he hadn't expected that. He honestly wasn't feeling that much pain, then again it wasn't the first time he had broken a bone or two. Hell. It had happened so many times maybe he was just learning to cope with the constant fractures and breakage.

But knowing that as he did Kouga wasn't about to share that little piece of information with the already clearly upset priestess in his hold.

"They'll heal Kagome. I'll heal. I always do." Kouga promised sincerely.

"You're not invisible Kouga. No one is." Kagome whispered her slightly bleary eyes falling to the most definite of scars that gouged Kouga's body.

The trio of jagged marks that cut so harshly down his jaw and off his neck. The scars she wished so badly he didn't have to carry.

Kouga's hand fell away from her at the sight of her taking in the most defined feature the fighting pit had given him.

A forever reminder he wasn't the person she once knew, that he would never be.

"I cant see you hurt like this." Kagome stated firmly. It was faint but to Kouga it was crystal clear, the threat in her voice. The refusal.

She might have said 'cant' but what she meant was 'wont'. She wouldn't see him in this state. Not again.

Which meant, if he wanted to see her. At all. It couldn't be like this. Maybe ever?

Struggling to control his disbelief and flaring agitation at the circumstances that were unraveling themselves before him Kouga threw his hands up angrily.

Taking a few hard steadying breaths he ran his calloused palms through his raven locks before cupping the back of his neck edgily.

It was a long pause and bit of an uncomfortable silence before finally after a few contemplating ideas Kouga finally spoke.

"Alright." He whispered dryly catching Kagome off guard.

"Alright?" Kagome repeated uncertainly.

"Maybe-" Kouga hesitated not wanting to push the words forward but he forcefully managed to do so.

"A little time away from the club would do me some good." He said lowly and reluctant.

It wasn't hard to see the instant flare of hope light Kagome's soften facial expression at his suggestion.

He didn't want to do this. That was apparent. But, he wasn't risking pushing Kagome and his friendship away. Not again. He had learned that lesson the first time, and he wouldn't go through that again.

"Y-You mean it?" Kagome blinked in disbelief. Was Kouga actually agreeing not to fight? J-Just for her?

"I'm not promising anything permanent." Kouga stated sharply and undeniably clear. His azure eyes meeting Kagome's directly.

"But, for now. No more fights." He added, unenthusiastically .

Kagome sniffled away her half formed tears all to suddenly. She couldn't believe this was happening? It wasn't a great place to be, but it was a start. Kouga wasn't going to put himself through this, at least for the time being. And that was all the reassurance she needed.

It really proved how committed he was to her, and their friendship. That honestly, felt stronger then it ever had before.

More grateful then she thought she could word Kagome stepped forward her arms outstretching and wrapping around Kouga's still bare chest as she hugged him tightly.

Her head rested on his broad shoulder as she closed her eyes appreciatively.

"Thank you." She whispered.

It had been unfair of her to ask such a massive change in Kouga's life, even if it was clearly for the better. He had every right to say no, and she would have understood. But, knowing what he was willing to go through for her. It was almost beyond words how much she appreciated him. How much she had really come to rely on him.

Kouga sighed heavily before eventually his arms coiled around Kagome's waist as he held her to him gently.

He had made the mistake of almost losing her before, he wasn't about to do it again. Even if did mean giving up on a few things here and there.

It would be worth it in the end.

After all Kagome was the one part of his past that no matter how much time passed, he never wanted to let fade away.


It was so hot. It was scorching and absolute molten bliss. This feeling, this pulsation radiating its way through clenching pearl skin and blissfully aching muscles.

Shimmering pink lips parted letting rich unchecked cries of passion seep out as wave after wave of searing pleasure assaulted every nerve in her body!

It felt beyond words! Beyond describing! She was flying, so intoxicated on the absolutely mind blowing sensation pumping its way through her veins!

Her body couldn't take it. She was coming undone. Her inner walls rippled and she fully surrendered to the one thing surging its way through her. Pure ecstasy.

Her toes curled and her eyes rolled, as nothing but an ear piercing scream tore through her!

Harden wood slammed against the plaster wall of Kagome's absolutely blacken bedroom as the door leading into her room burst open!

Inhumanly fast Kouga was at Kagome's side gripping the unconsciously thrashing priestess bare shoulders tightly and jerking her up right in sheer panic.

Kagome's sealed eyelids shot apart! Her frenzied and jarring body trembling from the blissful assault she had literally just been pulled out of.

Her breath was in short erratic pants as she instinctively gripped hold of Kouga's forearms his calloused palms still holding her shivering shoulders tightly.

Her frantic eyes meeting the even more clearly panicked gaze of the wolf demon griping a hold of her.

"What happened? Are you alright? I heard you scream-" Kouga panted. He had been dead to the world just a second or two ago. Almost in a comatose state while buried in the thick cushions of Kagome's couch.

When he had heard a scream so intense he had been basically jolted back to life in sheer horror! He had flown up the stairs separating him and Kagome without a second thought.

Only to find her here laying in a drastically sheet tangled bed and dampened with a light sheen of sweat.

Her hair was messed and her chest was heaving with ragged uneven breaths. It looked like she had just ran a marathon from hell.

Kagome couldn't speak, she couldn't even think. Her brain and all her thoughts had just burst into flames, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake.

All she could do was look at the wolf demon cradling her. His fierce eyes, his harden shirtless body, and the messy way his raven hair fell around his inhumanly handsome face.

There wasn't anything to think about, nothing to focus on but this absolutely throbbing need rotted inside her.

It was pulling her, demanding her to fulfill its wants. Its down right primal urges!

She was afraid, feeling something this intense and having no control to stop it. It was terrifying.

"Hey-" Kouga whispered softly his hand cupping Kagome's flushed cheek tenderly. Feeling the radiating heat beneath his fingertips.

"Say something?" He pleaded gliding his thumb across her creamy skin.

Kagome's eyes darken, her lips parted but no words came forth only stained and suddenly level breathing.

Kouga was completely unsure of what was happening. He had never seen Kagome give this look before, almost like she wanted too-

The thought temporarily left his mind only because of the clouded scent suddenly assaulting Kouga's heighten sense of smell.

It was sweet and oh so thick, like rich honey coated with a glimmering musk.

Kouga felt himself stop breathing in hard pulsating, disbelief.

This smell, there was no denying it. But, it couldn't be real. It just couldn't-

Was Kagome…was she actually…aroused?

The absolute moment that question crossed Kouga's shocked mind all his suspicions were confirmed in one undeniable cataclysmic event.

Without thinking, without a word.

Kagome pushed forward.

And even through the looming darkness. Their lips found each others.


Somehow I sense the questions coming before they arrive. One being Why? Why am I so cruel to leave you hanging? My answer? Because the chapter has to end eventually lol Extra long though so I hope you all enjoyed it until I can find the time to update again!

So much love and appreciation to all of you who have supported me so far!