Stranded Flame

Chapter Two

Something Odd Comes Strangely Afoot

By Inuyashas Youkai

Watching as the others were attentively observing her as if she had gained a second head petruding from that of her clouded skull upon awakening . Slight fear began to brew inside her , as the members of the group simply yet stared at her in shock without any real proof as to why it was that they were staring. In a quiet voice but the strongest she could muster , Kagome coarsely spoke as she started to move to a siting position , but as she moved while speaking dizzyingness overtook her thoughts.

" Um , is something wrong.. ? Oh boy , I probably shouldn't have moved."

" Maybe you could shed some light on that subject , Ka Go Me ..."

" Not so loud , Inuyasha ... I am right here ya know!"

" That's just the thing Kagome , I wasn't. "

Although , Kagome just leaned her head back , once nodding , and letting her now bloody mud eyes hide behind her eyelids , rolling to the back of her head , then as quickly as it came afterwards the miko began to snore. Sango , Miroku , and Shippo watched on dumbfoundedly , but it was then that the hanyou looked up from Kagome , and when looking to meet the others in only slight confusion caught a wise gaze from Kaede.

" Something on ye mind , Inuyasha ?" The old hag questioned .

At this the the others looked onto Inuyasha , and Kaede's oncoming conversation in bewilderment , as to why the question may have been asked regarding the situation aloud, waiting in concern to what would be offered to explain the miko's plight. The hanyou only growled , shaking his head to clear what all of this looked like , but the signs flowing with it were all wrong , and in the end not adding up at all. Nevertheless the hanyou sighed in frustration , and spoke irritatedly , as to what was on his mind.

" Nothing really, but all this looks oddly familiar , only the wound doesn't fit ,in addition to not even carrying with it any real presence , or scent , to whom , or what, as to why Kagome would be acting this way , but if this is true regardless of the details not matching up , then we are all are gonna have some serious shit heading our way , because it all goes downhill from here, and fast .." Inuyasha finished before starting to stalk quickly over towards the thrown open flap of the hut , prior to hastely exiting.

" Aye .. " Kaede spoken ominously , as she gained the seriousness of the situation from the hanyou's now flashing eyes fighting against the other between the angry crimson, and the moon within the silver strands now covering his eyes, as he left.

" Excuse me for interupting , but would someone care to explain for such thick intensity in the room.. " Miroku seriously stated aloud ..

Although instead of one within the hut coming forth with a answer , a blur of silver , colliding with red , and white returned , now back to possessing his ambers, but these were yet wilder than the normal tamed eyes the hanyou normally carried .

" What I mean is that the stupid wench in coming a day early , got herself in a situation where trouble had nothing to do with it , because I won't have to wait for Kikyo to drag me to hell to see it , it will be brought here with Kagome !"

" Um , how so ?" Miroku stated curiously

"Dammit , believe me I have seen this shit before , but not by my actions. Actually I had came upon it on accident , but regardless if this doesn't fit with what led up to it , without having any scent or real marking besides that of a small pin hole carrying no exit wound . Everything else fits .."

" Wait a minute Inuyasha , you don't mean ?! " The Slayer finally catching on mused aloud.

"Ya , Do I stutter ? I am not bullshitting , although in this I almost wish I was ..Kagome has been claimed as a mate .. "

" But who , and how ? It doesn't make any sense , Inuyasha .. I've seen what you are saying too, but it's ludicrous to think a small mark that doesn't even resemble a bite could be a mate mark. Doesn't match up!"

" That I wish I knew ... How else would explain the way Kagome has been acting since she awakened , and what could be the reason for her just to collapse from a little kit's coming greeting for her affections upon returning to this time !?"

Indeed, neither presence within the room could contest the offered assumptions that came from the hanyou's mouth even though each one tried , but every time one would open their mouth to argue it , nothing but silence fell out to greet the argument . Looking again , Kaede further investigated the odd entrance wound upon the back of her skull , and strangely enough now when the miko's fingers came upon closely to the wound , a unexpected spark alit within her fingertips. Scrutinizingly observing, as the girl was still breathing quickly while sleeping , and with slight movement from Kagome, caused something to brush up , lightly grazing her forearm , Kaede upon further investigating felt two small pile's of fluff , bearing no color starting to form within her otherwise silky black locks . Feeling around to the sides of her head , while the other three were quibbling about in the background, the elder miko felt the discovery that Kagome presently bore the proof of the hanyou's words where the spot her ears once resided ,were no longer .

" Aye , Inuyasha I believe ye are correct in your theory , and in time I'am afraid we will see the outcome, but I think I may have found that whomever had done this somehow acquired a piece of the jewel , because it was what was used to place the mark upon her , without her knowledge. "

" What !?" Inuyasha steamed , while walking out once more , having quite enough with the present shit coming from the current situation, leaving the others behind to their own devices to entertain themselves.

The others began to go about their normal activities , while the hag kept watch over the younger miko , presently yet changing . Behind Kagome's eyes flickering , a voice began to lightly graze upon her subconscious , speaking to her , while another sight other than the unseeing dark then emerged out of nowhere, and one being none that she'd seen before now greeting her closed eyes.

" Mate .. "

A shiver coursed through her , and crashed pleasurably violent down her spine , as the unknown male spoke with such intensity in his claim for her. Whilst a open clearing with many flowers meet her sights brilliantly , and trees encircling it , then in the middle of it all stood a decent sized sparkling lake. Coming to stand , then walking towards the beautiful image meeting her eyes , until she paused slightly in her place hearing the voice again.

" Don't be afraid , beautiful one... You are too precious to me to allow any harm to you .. Come closer , for I bear gifts .."

" But , where are you ? Who are you ?But why , Me? Do you even know me ?"

" I know enough , for I 've been watching you .. I know your name is Kagome, and those whom you travel with .. I have chosen you for a long time , but haven't seen the need to come to you yet before we meet until now because I see what the others do not. I will come to you soon enough , in time ..Why not you ? Now close your eyes.."

Without being told twice because of what the male voice told her , also gave the power over her because of what he was , by his own actions making it so, alone. The next thing she knew, Kagome felt herself letting go in her reservations , as the very voice seemed to materialize , and it wasn't her imagination to feel hungry lips to openly graze down her neck from her ear lobes , devouring her, with strong arms holding her from behind. Giving way to a unrestrained needy moan , Kagome panted through the growing desires that the strangers touch elicited.

TBC...