Chapter 12

InuYasha

I looked out at the landscape in front of us. I couldn't help but have my thoughts on the one person I truly lost. Kagome. Yes, I had admitted that she was no longer mine. I had admitted that what I did could never be forgotten. But that didn't mean it doesn't hurt.

Even now, a week after finding out everything about Kikyou, and Kagome being attacked, I always walked in the front of the group. This way, I didn't have to see Kagome and Pops being all cuddly. The bastard had been affectionate before, but now that Kagome had been hurt, he hardly ever leaves her side.

It was sick. He follows her around like a lovesick puppy, and I constantly wonder if he had lost his balls, but then I start to think. Maybe that is what I should have done. Maybe if I had been as devoted to her as he was, she would still be by my side instead.

"You look sad." Kanna said, walking up beside me. I looked down at the small child and realized she wasn't exactly a small child anymore.

"Keh, are you growing?" I asked, looking her over once again. She held out her hands and looked at them before shrugging her shoulders.

"When Naraku took my will, he took everything. My own body had no reason to grow. Now it does." She replied, looking around at the world as we passed.

"How long until you're…fully grown?" I inquired. I actually really was curious. I never expected one of Naraku's incarnations to join our side, especially it being Kanna.

"I'd say about a month, if not sooner." She answered, looking up at me. "You are not alone."

"What does that shit mean?" I snapped without meaning to. It didn't seem to faze the void demon. Instead, she just looked into her mirror as if she was thinking.

"You feel alone, but you're not." She replied.

"Keh. The one woman who truly loved me is doing my father and nobody in this group fully trusts me anymore. Which I guess is all my fault."

"You guess?" She teased.

"Oi, shut up, Wench." I growled, not in the mood to deal with annoying little girls.

"You're not the only one they don't trust. I am grateful that they let me join, and will forever be in Lady Kagome's debt, but I don't blame them for not trusting me. I was with the enemy, but it does get kind of lonely when Lady Kagome, Sango, and Rin go to have girl talk and I'm not invited. Or when everyone is carrying on a conversation and quiet down when they realize I am close. They will trust you again before they trust me." Kanna admitted. While she was trying to hide that her feelings were hurt, it was easy to see she was upset.

"Well, I guess we'll be outcasts together." I mumbled, trying to humor the girl. I hated seeing any woman upset, her included.

"I guess so." She replied, smiling up at me.

Sesshomaru

"Rin." I called, watching as she walked ahead of me. I never understood why I wanted her by my side at all times. I learned over the years of traveling with the small woman, it is best not to question any emotion she somehow brought out of me.

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru." She answered, falling into step beside me.

"You are this one's intended. You do not need to use the honorific." I informed, looking down at her. She gave me one of her warm smiles before placing her small hand in my larger one. I still wasn't used to these displays of affection, but they were growing on me. Looking away, I tightened my hand around hers, not letting her go.

"Was there something you needed?" She asked, skipping along beside me.

"No." I replied, looking out at the group in front of me. Sango and Miroku were walking, deep in their own conversation. InuYasha and Kanna were walking in silence, but I noticed the small glances that passed between the two. Father and Kagome walked behind, and even I was not brave enough to see what they were doing.

"Awww, you just wanted to be beside me. That's really cute." Rin guessed, making me glare at her.

She covered her mouth to hide her giggle, and it took everything I had not to take her right there. I will never understand why I feel so strongly for this woman, but the truth was, I loved her. Somehow, she was able to break through my heart and melt it the moment she had first found me.

"Sesshomaru?" She started, the seriousness of her voice making me look down at her. "Is Kagome safe? I mean, with Mattaki?"

"He is honorable. He will not hurt her." I answered, giving her hand a squeeze. Kagome had become a part of my pack, and I cared for her just as much as I did Rin, just in a different way.

"Are you sure? I don't want her to be hurt again." She whispered, taking a glance back at the couple behind us.

"This one is sure." I replied before my feet suddenly froze. There was one person who could ruin everything for them. The one person Father could not touch with harm due to his unbreakable honor.

"What's wrong?" Rin asked, looking up at me.

"Take Kagome. I must speak with Father." I ordered. Rin hesitated for a moment but nodded before running behind me. I watched as she grabbed Kagome's hand and dragged her away from a confused Father. When he looked up and met my eyes, he made his way to me, knowing I wished to speak with him.

"What is it, Son?" He asked as we started walking again.

"What will you do about Mother?" I asked, noticing the way he tensed up instantly.

"I will handle that when it comes." He growled before crossing his arms.

"You will not hurt her if it isn't necessary." I argued, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye.

"When it comes to Kagome, I will protect her. I know Satori meddles more than she should, and I expect her to try something."

"I am sure she already knows you have returned." I agreed.

"I will protect my mate." He stated, his eyes trailing over to the small woman he cared for.

"You call her mate, yet you have not yet bonded." I observed.

"It feels like we already have. I know we haven't, and I know we have only known each other for a couple of weeks, but I feel like I have known her forever." Father replied, smiling slightly as Rin teased Kagome, causing the older woman to chase the smaller one.

"Hn. Do not let Mother ruin what you have. She meddled in your marriage with Izayoi. She will do the same with the miko." I replied, receiving a growl from the male who sired me.

"Do not speak that wench's name." He snapped, making me smirk. I never liked Izayoi and it was satisfying, learning that Father now held the same dislike for the human that I did.

"Even so, I have never spoken of my mother, just as Rin has not. The miko needs some kind of warning." I continued.

"I agree, and I will speak to Kagome about it." Father replied with a sigh. "I had not realized the extent of the damage InuYasha caused. Every day, I must remind my miko of what she is to me. While I do not mind doing this, I look forward to the day that she doesn't need to be reminded."

"She is much better than she was." I replied, watching as Rin and the miko attacked InuYasha's ears. Said hanyou yelled before chasing after the running women, Rin laughing loudly while Kagome held a smile on her face.

"I'd give anything to hear her laugh." Father whispered, as he watched the two.

"I have not heard her laugh since before Naraku's demise." I admitted, silently wishing the same as Father. She had become a friend, even if I would not admit it. I cared for her wellbeing and even to this day, I did not wish for the hanyou to be anywhere near her.

"That upsets me. A woman like her should never have felt the pain she has." Father said, growling slightly when InuYasha picked up said woman and threw her over his shoulder.

He jumped into a random tree and quickly climbed it before depositing the yelling woman on one of the top branches. Letting out a laugh, he jumped from the tree, leaving Kagome where he set her. After yelling a few 'sit' commands, and the hanyou eating dirt, both Father and I approached the tree.

Father made quick work of jumping up and grabbing his intended before jumping back down. I watched as he held her in his arms for a moment before kissing her gently. Without another word, the two began walking forward again.

Once again, Rin fell into step by my side as I silently let my eyes travel over the now-large pack before landing on the miko in front of me. She still had much healing to do, and I honestly wished there was a way to make InuYasha feel just what he had done to her. I wanted him to suffer just like she had.

Mattaki

I silently laced my fingers through Kagome's as we continued walking. Sesshomaru's words bounced around in my mind as I thought of a way to bring up Satori. I knew Kagome would feel as if I would rather have my ex-wife, but that wasn't true. I had to figure out how to warn Kagome without making it seem as if I still desired Sesshomaru's mother.

"Hey! There's a waterfall up there!" Rin suddenly yelled, running from Sesshomaru's side. I could see the look of fear on his face, and I knew I wasn't going to like whatever Rin was planning.

I watched as Rin ran to the edge of the waterfall and looked over. She looked around for a moment before finding a large rock and attempting to pick it up. Kagome ran from my side and went to help the small woman. Between the two of them, they threw the rock over the edge and watched as it fell to the water with a loud splash.

Sesshomaru was suddenly by my side, grabbing my arm as the two women looked at each other and nodded before jumping off of the edge. Instantly, I went into panic mode and was about to fly after them when the hand belonging to Sesshomaru stopped me. I looked at him, about to push him off, when I noticed his red eyes.

He didn't like it either, yet he still held back. He pointed to the edge and I turned to look. Sango and Miroku were suddenly jumping over the edge, Sango squealing the entire way down. After a few moments, InuYasha picked up a resisting Kanna and jumped himself.

I just stood there in shock. I had not realized that my entire pack had a death wish. Snapping out of my frozen state, I pushed from Sesshomaru and ran to the edge. What I saw completely shocked me. The entire group was laughing and splashing each other in the water. It was then I realized that they were just having fun.

With my shoulders slumping at the realization that my intended was okay, I was suddenly filled with anger. Why would she put herself in danger like that? She was already a magnet for trouble, and now she was jumping off of waterfalls.

"This is not the first occurrence. I very nearly killed her the first time she jumped with Rin." Sesshomaru stated, looking down at the splashing people below us.

"They do this for fun?" I asked, looking at him.

"Yes. Apparently the miko and her companions did it as a way to relieve stress during the original hunt for Naraku. Rin was hooked after the first try." He said with a growl at the last statement.

"I do not like it." I admitted, my eyes focusing on Kagome.

"Nor do I, but I will admit, it seems to lessen any mood." Sesshomaru said.

"How deep do you think that water is?" I asked, an idea popping into my head.

"From the sound that rock made, I'd say about a hundred feet. It looks clear of rocks as well." Sesshomaru answered, looking towards me with curiosity in his eyes. I smirked before backing away from the edge.

Sesshomaru watched me the entire time as I called upon my youki. He rolled his eyes the moment he realized what I was planning on doing, and I couldn't keep the toothy grin off of my face as I began my transformation. In no time at all, I stood tall and proud in my true form.

I gave Sesshomaru a huff before launching myself from the cliff. I could hear screams from below as the group noticed my giant form falling through the sky. When I landed in the water, a giant wave surged forward, taking the group with it.

When I surfaced, I was met with angry eyes, and I just smirked as I paddled towards the shore. I looked for Kagome but began to panic when I didn't see her. Stepping on to the earth, I spun around, looking for her. I froze the moment an angelic sound hit my ears.

I turned to the sound and felt the blood in my veins heat up as I realized what I was hearing. Apparently my wave had shoved Kagome into a tree, and she now hung upside down, laughing. Her face was flushed and her arms dangled over her head. Her black hair trailed even further down, dripping water as she laughed for the very first time in five years.

"I believe you wanted to hear her laugh." Sesshomaru stated, floating down on his cloud. His words brought me out of my daze and I quickly approached her.

When she noticed I was in front of her, her laugh died down and she smiled at me. Her face held a certain warmness to it, and I couldn't help but return the look, even in my true form. Very gently, I used my nose to lift her slightly so I could grab the back of her miko garbs.

Pulling her from the tree and holding her much like a pup, I began to make my way from the group. Kagome waved to the others as I walked past them, ignoring the mixture of looks ranging from amusement to slight disgust.

When I was out of sight and hearing distance, I gently set down the miko. When I released her clothing, she turned around and petted my muzzle. I was glad she wasn't afraid of my true form. I had been worried, at one point in time, that she would fear I would hurt her in this form, but it was a worry I had not needed.

I lowered myself to the ground with a loud thump as she moved her hand up to my forehead. I couldn't help but wag my tail as she moved around to pet behind the ear closest to the ground. She giggled at my expense and I didn't even care.

"If it wasn't for the sheer size, and the fact that you are a demon, you could be someone's pet." She teased. I growled at her joke, not finding it very amusing.

"Oh, stop growling, Mattaki." She scoffed before walking back in front of me. She held her smile on her face before cocking her head to the side while she looked at me. "I still don't understand how such a huge creature could be so gentle."

At her words, I decided it was time to change back. Quickly, I pulled back my youki and changed back to my humanoid form. The moment I was done, I pulled the small woman into my arms. I had one hand spread across her lower back while the other tightened in her black hair. I leaned over her, slightly dominating her as my lips covered hers.

Her own arms reached under mine while her hands rested against my armor. I pulled her as close as the metal would allow and growled as she opened her mouth to me. I instantly let my tongue dive in and taste her once again. I would never get enough of the feeling she sent coursing through me. It was something I had never felt before, and I never wanted it to stop.

I was a tad bit surprised when her hands reached up and began to untie the buckle that held Sounga in place. Very gently, she pulled the sword from my back and set it on the ground, never once breaking the kiss.

While her boldness shocked me, I wasn't about to stop her. The moment I had heard her laugh, she had set my blood on fire, and now she was just igniting it even more. Her hands slowly made their way to the front and attempted to unclasp my armor. She was having trouble with the annoying metal so reluctantly, I pulled away from our kiss.

I made quick work of my armor and obi before setting them down beside my sword. Without saying a word, I pulled her back to me. I would never be able to describe how much I wished to remove her clothing and make her mine right there.

But I resisted. I knew she wasn't ready for such a thing so I let her set the pace. I would in no way, shape, or form stop her from doing anything she wanted so this was entirely up to her. I moaned into her mouth as she pushed her hips against my stiff cock.

She was such a tease and she didn't even know it. She believed herself to be undesirable. If only she realized just how much I wanted her. Not just her body, but everything she had to offer. Mind, body, and soul.

When her hands pushed open my haori and began to trail along my toned muscles, I just about lost any control I had. This was a side of Kagome I had not met, and it was a side I would enjoy just as much as I enjoyed the others.

As her hands traveled lower towards my hakamas, I realized just how much she was shaking. She was scared beyond belief. Her virginal fear was very much present, but she was ignoring it. I wasn't sure why, but I did not wish for her to do anything she didn't want to. I pulled away from her mouth and met the blue eyes I had fallen in love with.

"Kagome, you do not need to do anything you are not ready for." I informed, noticing how she blushed.

"I–I want to." She replied, looking down at the ground. I let go of her back and placed a hand on her chin, forcing those eyes back to mine.

"I will not push you into anything you do not want." I stated, making sure she understood that she could stop at any time.

"Let me do this for you." She whispered. I looked into her orbs for a moment longer before letting go of her chin. I would let her do what she wanted as long as she was truly ready.

Standing on her tippy toes, she kissed me again, and I couldn't help but groan into her mouth as her hands once again found my hakamas and pushed them down. I wasn't sure what she had planned, but I knew I would enjoy it.

I hissed against her lips as one of her hands wrapped around my hardened length. My hands tightened in her still-wet clothing as I leaned my forehead against hers, unable to concentrate on anything except the movements of her hand.

As she became more comfortable with her actions, I moaned at the sensations she was sending through my entire body. Unable to help myself, I thrust into her hand, causing her to squeak slightly. I noticed she was still holding back, and I realized she was worried about hurting me.

"You cannot hurt me, Little One." I whispered before grabbing her hand in mine. I squeezed her hand and began moving her hand the way I liked, teaching her how to please me. I could see her blush as I leaned my forehead against hers once again, my golden eyes locked on her beautiful blue.

I used my thumb to push hers over the head of my cock and I moaned at the contact. Suddenly, she pulled her hand away and looked at it, and I noticed the dot of pre-cum on her thumb. I chuckled before reaching out to wipe it away, but was shocked when she put her thumb in her mouth before I could.

Needless to say, my manhood twitched at the sight of her tasting my seed. I had not expected that, and I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I thought I would. When she was sure her thumb was clean, she pulled it from her mouth and gave me a shy look before smiling slightly.

She leaned forward and kissed my chest, causing me to moan as her open-mouthed kisses continued to go lower. When she was suddenly on her knees, my eyes widened when I realized just what she was going to do.

I was going to stop her when a hesitant tongue slipped out and licked the head of my cock. Instantly, my knees went weak, and it took everything I had to keep from falling. Any objection I had was pushed aside as I watched her run her tongue along my length.

The moment she sucked me into her mouth, I threw my head back and let out a strangled gasp. For someone who had never before done anything like this, she sure knew how to use that pretty mouth of hers. I could still tell that she was unsure of her actions, but with every response she got from me, she became more confident.

Soon, I couldn't fight the urge to put a hand on the back of her head. I tightened my clawed fingers in her black hair and fought with everything I had not to thrust into her mouth. Her hands left my length as her head continued to bob before they found my hips and pushed them forward.

At that shocking action, I knew she wanted me to thrust into her mouth. No, she wanted me to fuck her mouth, and I had no problem giving her what she asked for. Tightening my hand even more, I held her head in place and began to thrust into her mouth.

"Kami, Kagome." I moaned, once again throwing my head back. My knees shook under her touch, and I honestly wondered if I would be able to hold myself up.

Already, I could feel the tightening of my loins and I knew I was getting close. Her tongue continued to move against my manhood as I steadily pushed myself into her. I had set a slow and steady pace, not wanting to push her too much, but with Kagome being the one giving me this treatment, even that was enough. Had it been any other woman, it would be nowhere near as pleasurable as it was now.

When I felt my impending ecstasy, I attempted to pull away from her, only to be stopped by her small hands grasping the part of my cock she couldn't take in. I looked down at her in confusion and was met with her blue eyes looking up at me.

"Kagome, I'm going to–" I started, but was cut off when one of her hands gently squeezed my impossibly tight balls.

Between that and the look she was giving me, I lost it. I just about roared my release as I filled her warm mouth with my seed. I spilled myself so hard and long, I wasn't sure she would be able to handle all of it. When I finally finished spurting into her mouth, she gave me one last suck, taking in as much of my essence as she could before swallowing all of it.

I fell to my knees in front of her and leaned against her shoulder as she wiped her mouth. I couldn't help but pant as I reached up and clung to her as if she was my lifeline. Her own hands tightened in my open haori, waiting for me to be able to formulate a thought.

"I hope that was okay?" She whispered, making me pull away to look at her as if she had gone crazy.

"Okay? That was magnificent!" I exclaimed, watching as she blushed deeply. "Kami, Kagome, where did you learn to do such a thing?"

"I may be a virgin, but I know about…sex. In my time, sex is openly talked about. There is even a thing called porn where you can watch others having sex." She admitted as her blush deepened. I reached down and pulled my hakamas back over my hips before sitting on the ground.

"Lay down." I ordered, making her eyes widen.

"I'm fine. I only did that…because I know that for men…it can be painful." She admitted, twisting her fingers together in front of her.

"Maybe I wish to pleasure you. Maybe I wish to taste you, just as you tasted me." I replied, noticing the way her eyes instantly met mine.

In her gaze, I realized her insecurities were once again getting the best of her. I knew exactly what she thought of me and my body. She believed me to be highly attractive, if not God-like. She still viewed herself as an ordinary woman. Because of this, it would be much easier for her to give me attention than it would be to allow me to give her attention. With a sigh, I realized that she was not yet ready for me to touch her like that.

"Kagome, you are beautiful. I will tell you that every day if I have to." I started before pulling her into my lap and nuzzling against her neck. "One day, I will make you see yourself how I see you, and you will never again think so lowly of yourself."

"Mattaki–"

"Do not interrupt, Little One." I ordered softly. "Before we left the shiro, you said you wished for a male to think of you as the best thing that ever happened to them. You wanted someone to put you first. I worship the ground you walk on. I will always put you first. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. While you may not believe me now, one day I will make you understand."

I pulled away from her neck long enough to look down at her, and I could see the tears in her eyes. She threw her arms around my neck and crashed her lips against mine. I knew she still wasn't ready for any further activity, and I wouldn't pressure her.

I just wanted her to be happy, and the way she was kissing me told me my words were succeeding in that. I would give her as much time as she needed to completely heal. I would do everything in my power to see a smile on her face and hear that laugh once again. I will never hurt her, and eventually she will see just how high up on a pedestal I hold her. I will make her see how much I love her.

-sSs-

I do not own InuYasha.