Chapter Two

Phobia

C: I'm sorry my readers for my hideous lack of updating. I haven't had internet and I just moved from California to Missouri. Please forgive me and I will try to update more often.

Belina POV

Each member of Kagome's shard hunting group was unique, and they all had two things in common. All of them had been pained by Naraku, all of them wanted revenge. Also, each one had a fear. Not that any would willingly admit them, but it was obvious after a week or so of observing. Each phobia was different, Miroku was afraid of commitment, Sango, abandonment. Inuyasha feared that he would lose Kagome, even though he could not let go of Kikyou. Kagome was afraid of not returning to her family. Shippo was the hardest to figure out. For one so young he had been through many horrors. He, like Inuyasha, was worried he would lose Kagome. Only, his reasons were different. Where Inuyasha "loved" Kagome, Shippo saw her as his mother. After losing his parents, Shippo was worried Kagome would be taken away in a similar manner. `

Yesterday we set out in search of jewel shards. We headed south, to the land of the Dragon lord Erentante. Kagome was excited at the prospect of seeing the lord, for they had become friends after he saved her from a group of boar demons. Once again, Kagome and Inuyasha were arguing. He did not want to go see the lord, but Kagome did. Sighing heavily, I walked in the direction of the lord's castle knowing Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were following me. Soon after we started walking, the sounds of the bickering quieted.

"Hey! Wait up you guys!" Kagome said running after us, Inuyasha close behind her. She caught up to me and smiled, grateful for causing the argument to stop. I rolled my eyes but smiled anyways.

"How much longer till we get to Lord Erentante's castle?" Shippo asked.

"About an hour more of walking then we will be there." Kagome said smiling gently.

Half an hour past and something, or someone, flashed past in my peripheral vision. My hand went to my hand-and-a-half sword on my back. "Someone's watching us Kagome."

She was instantly on guard, drawing an arrow from her quiver, everyone else instantly springing into action. Inuyasha practically tore Tetsusaiga out of its sheath, swinging it like a cave man with a club.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" He yelled causing a group of birds to take off, twittering in mad irritation.

A regal looking demon stepped from the shadows. "Chill Inuyasha, it's just me." He said in his deep, knee-weakening voice. This demon was, well, he could put Greek gods to shame. He had shoulder-length black red hair, and deep green eyes. He was definitely over six feet and made Inuyasha look weak. Even under his kimono I could tell he was muscular.

I shook my head slightly, trying to get myself back in focus. How could this demon affect me with just a look? It was strange…

Kagome ran up to him and gave him a bold hug. "Lord Erentante! It is so nice to see you again!" She said with a huge smile.

Wait. THAT is lord Erentante? Oh, boy. Now I was nervous, this demon could have practically whatever he wanted, and I knew I certainly wouldn't be able to deny him if he came asking.

Ere POV

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at seeing my Tenshi's reaction when she saw my face. It was obvious that she was attracted to me but I didn't think she wanted to admit it. "Hello Kagome, what brings you to my domain?" I said smiling slightly; hopefully they would be staying for a while. If they did I would have a chance to get to know Tenshi better.

"We came to see if we could stay with you for a few days while we search the area for jewel shards." Kagome said glaring at Inuyasha to make sure he stayed silent.

"Of course Kagome, you and your friends are always welcome in my home. But I see you have a new member. Who is your beautiful new companion?" I smirked slightly at Tenshi, causing her cheeks to turn red like her hair.

"Lord Erentante this is Belina. She's my adopted cousin from the future. Belina this is Lord Erentante." Kagome said smiling at her cousin. Belina smiled and bowed slightly.

"Lord Erentante, I have heard much about you." She said quietly but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"And I look forward to learning much about you during your stay." Smiling roguishly I made a sweeping bow, capturing Tenshi's hand and kissing the back of it lingeringly. The blush adorning her face turned an even darker shade, drawing a chuckle out of me.

"I shall escort you the rest of the way. There have been some minor annoyances with snake demons lately. And I would prefer my guests not run into unneeded trouble." I held my arm out in invitation to the lovely elf beside me, putting on a more charming than flirtatious smile.

"Trust me my Lord. We can handle a few snake demons" Belina walked by me ignoring my arm, her hips swaying back and forth teasingly.

She playing hard to get! Must show her who is alpha!

Not yet beast. Patience.

No want to be patient! Want. Her. NOW!

Behave. Or she will not have us at all.

You will take too long! As soon as is alone show her we alpha or I will!

She may be as desirable as a sweet but she will hurt us if we try anything unwanted. She is not weak.

She will and cannot resist us!

Be that as it may. We will have to be tactful.

"Oi! Earth to dragon!"

The dog Inuyasha was waving his hand in front of my face. Apparently I had fallen behind the group while I was arguing with my beast and they were wondering what was wrong. The mutt was becoming annoying with his high pitched voice. Calmly punching him into a tree I resumed walking with the group, mind now reoccupied with the tantalizing sight of my Tenshi's swaying hips a few feet ahead.

Belina POV

He is staring at me! What do I do?

Ummm look sexier?

Shut up beasty. Not helping. It's bad enough he's practically irresistible without your input.

But he so….hot and bothersome smelling! Can we seduce him?

NO! Absolutely not! Good grief he will think we are a whore!

So? He will take us. Is good thing…right?

Not if he does not wish to keep us. Behave.

We could keep him.

…..

Really. All we do is mark him….get leash….

Do you really think he would just let us chain him to us like a pet? Hmm….oh what am I thinking! He's freaking LORD ERENTANTE! Of course he won't!

We could still try.

Let's just wait to see if he is interested

He was practically saying "undress and let's go have fun!" He was staring at us the whole flipping time! He is STILL staring at us!

..He is?

At my beasts comment I glanced back over my shoulder slightly to see if it was true. And sure enough it was.

….He is! ... He is staring at m… my ass…

I blushed slightly and quickly turned back before he could notice that I was looking. Perhaps my beast was right. If he came asking, I would only hope it would be for more than one night. As an elf, we only mate one person in our long years of living. That is why there weren't many elves in the world, not to mention that once an elf mates they can have no other. Even though I knew I couldn't resist him, he needed to know that I could never leave his side if he took me.

Make a move. Make a move.

We should wait for him to make the first move. We do not want him to think we are easy. I sighed at my beasts antics. This was going to be a long day.

As we walked through the enormous estate of the South, each new room more lavish and beautiful than the last I couldn't help but be in awe of the workmanship. Even the sky scrapers of Tokyo were not this elaborate and expensive looking. Lord Erentante showed Miroku, Sango, Kagome and Inuyasha to their rooms. Apparently they had stayed here before.

"Come, I will show you to your room." He said, once again offering me his arm.

I sighed slightly and took it. "Thank you my lord."

He smiled and led me to another corridor. "Here we are. My room is across the hall. If you need anything. Don't hesitate to ask." He said smiling charmingly.

"Right. I'll remember that. Thank you my lord." Quickly, I turned and went into my room, shutting the door before he could say or suggest anything else.

I now had a phobia. For the first time in my life I was afraid of something. Well. Someone. I was afraid of Lord Erentante. Not because he would hurt me. But because I wouldn't be able to resist him. He was exactly the type that every girl wanted. Especially me. Something about him attracted me. It felt like I was being pulled to him. Everywhere I went he was there. Even just walking around the castle, it was like he was around every corner.

Ere POV

She was driving me crazy. Everywhere I went, her scent lingered. My beast was getting more and more restless. At night all I dreamt of was her. I had to have her. Soon. Fortunately, there was something coming I had to my advantage. The summer solstice. Every year at that time, the four lords and their courts would get together and have meeting. On the final night, there was a ball. I would make my move then, for I had already asked Kagome and the rest to stay until the ball. On the night of the summer solstice. Belina, my Tenshi, WILL be my mate.