A/N: You guys are AWESOME! Like for real! I'm going to start handing out Azurena Review Awards because you guys are so amazing! Thank you all for being so supportive! I wish I could respond to each review individually, but there's too many :P And I would be saying pretty much the same thing. Thanks again you guys!

And I'm serious about those Awards . . . ^_^

OoooOoooO

Kaka Kara No Bourei

Part Seven:

Restless

OoooOoooO

Kagome chanced a quick peek at the scantily-clad daiyoukai striding in front of her, and then looked away just as quickly when she felt heat flood her face.

What has gotten into me?

Flicking Katashi another surreptitious glance, she decided to blame his current state of undress. It was natural, she reasoned, to react this way. Katashi was beautiful. Any sane, heterosexual woman would find him attractive, and the fact that he'd been walking around half-naked for the past two days certainly didn't help anything. The sight of his perfect pale skin was sending Kagome's poor virgin mind and body into a tizzy.

That must be it, she realized as she watched Katashi's braid swing to and fro. Raging female hormones. That must be why I had that dream last night.

Kagome breathed a little easier. Stupid subconscious, she chastised. No more dreams about Inuyasha's dad! Talk about inappropriate. She forced her attention away from the inuyoukai and stared at her sandaled feet while she walked. From now on, I'm not going to think about him.

However, doing so was easier said than done. Kagome continually found her gaze straying to Katashi as they walked, his silvery hair shining like a beacon in the early morning sunlight and, unbidden, flashes of her dream passed before her eyes . . .

Goosebumps prickled her arms, and Kagome rubbed vigorously at the skin through her haori. Stop it Kagome! Mentally shaking herself, the priestess decided to pick up the pace. Obviously walking behind Katashi wasn't going to help her stick to her resolution. He was too distracting for his own good.

But, just as she was about to sweep past him, another thought stopped her in her tracks. Did she really want to walk in front of Katashi? Because she knew that if she did, he would stare at her, and she didn't even want to think about what that would do to her nerves. With a silent sigh, Kagome resigned herself to her fate and tried to harden her resolve. She would not think about or look at Katashi anymore. She could walk behind him. She would walk behind him, and be perfectly fine.

"Kagome!"

Said girl yelped and almost ended up face-first in the dirt. "Jeez!" she exclaimed as she looked down at the small fox demon next to her. "You almost gave me a heart attack, Shippou!"

Shippou laughed. "Sorry, but I've said your name three times already and you didn't hear me."

"Oh." Kagome fought down her embarrassment and chuckled. "Well, did you need something? Want a snack?"

"No thanks," he replied. "I'm not hungry. But . . ." The kitsune's emerald eyes darted around anxiously for a moment before he leapt nimbly onto Kagome's right shoulder. The miko nearly fell. "Where's Inuyasha?" he asked softly after Kagome barely regained her balance. "He's been gone all day!"

"No idea," Kagome replied indifferently. "He ran off last night after Katashi-san took him to task for being a rude jerk."

"Really?" Shippou turned and beamed at the back of the tall demon ahead of them. "Katashi-san is my new favorite person."

Kagome burst out into tinkling laughter, and didn't notice when Katashi peered back at her admiringly. "Well, I have to say he's definitely a better role model than Inuyasha. And . . ." She blushed suddenly, and Shippou arched a brow at her in confusion. "It was also nice to have someone stand up for me," she admitted quietly. "I didn't realize how bad Inuyasha had gotten before Katashi-san pointed it out."

Shippou nodded in agreement. "Ever since he started going to see Kikyou all the time he's been a lot meaner. Hey, do you think maybe that's where he is?" he asked abruptly.

"Maybe," Kagome allowed. "I hope he's not, because he's always horrible when he comes back, but who knows?"

"He is following."

For the second time that morning Kagome nearly ate dirt and thanked every god she knew that Katashi wasn't looking. "Following?" she managed while calming her thundering heart. Get a grip girl! she reprimanded. Stop acting like you're still a love-struck fifteen-year-old!

"He does not think I know he is there," Katashi continued, "but I am still able to pick up his scent."

Kagome swallowed and found her voice. "Can you tell how far away he is?"

Katashi halted, and Kagome skidded to a stop before she plowed into him. His head cocked to the side, and Kagome scrambled away when he looked back the way they had come. He pointed one finely-sharp claw towards the mountains in the distance. "About there."

The miko tried to keep her mouth from falling open and failed miserably. "There?" she exclaimed. "Wha . . . how . . ."

Preoccupied as she was, she didn't see Katashi's self-satisfied smirk. "Is something wrong, Kagome?" he asked.

She looked at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. "Katashi-san . . . do you realize how far away those mountains are?"

The former lord shrugged carelessly and began walking again. "They are at the edge of the Eastern Lands," he replied tonelessly.

Wow, Kagome thought as she watched him pace ahead, that move had Sesshoumaru written all over it. Frowning, she hurried to catch up with him. "And you can smell Inuyasha from here? That's . . . incredible."

Katashi smiled, and Kagome wanted to kick herself when her heart sputtered. "Not particularly. As youkai age, their abilities and youki grow. In fact . . ." His expression became contemplative. "I believe I am overdue for some conditioning. This body can hardly handle my youki as it is."

Kagome blanked. She had no idea what to make of that statement. How could his own body not be able to handle his youki? Totally bewildered, Kagome decided she might as well ask. "I'm not sure I understand, Katashi-san. How is that possible? Did Naraku not recreate your body correctly or something?" She remembered how agonized he had seemed when he had been resurrected. Maybe that was why . . .

"My body is fine," he said, and Kagome had to beat down yet another blush. Why did he have to say it like that? "But I have simply outgrown it. I suppose you could say it cannot keep up with me. Tomorrow I will have to begin an intense training regiment to stop my body from breaking down under the weight of my strength."

"Breaking down?" Kagome didn't pretend to know everything about youkai, but that didn't sound good. "Is that . . . normal?"

Annoyance flashed across Katashi's face, and she briefly worried she'd offended him until he spoke. "No. Naraku recreated my body as it was two-hundred years ago. He did not take into account how my spirit might have changed while I was dead. Usually, the body and soul of a youkai age and mature together, but this body is too new compared to my soul. Simply put, I am too powerful. It is like a field mouse housing a dragon within its skin. It cannot be done, at least not easily."

"Oh okay," she said in sudden understanding. Though she was still a little lost, his analogy had helped. "So, if your body was to stay as it was . . ."

"It would fail within a moon cycle," Katashi stated calmly. "I would gradually slow, until I could no longer move, and then all bodily functions would cease."

At Kagome's sharp intake of breath, Katashi glanced at her in concern. 'There is no need for worry, Kagome. Once I have procured proper clothing, I will start training immediately. Already I am taking measures to strengthen myself, so do not fear." He grinned as he inhaled deeply, relishing the freshness of the air, and sighed. "I do not plan on dying again for quite some time."

"Well I'm happy to hear that," Kagome said, and pinked when his bright gaze fixed on her in surprise. "I mean . . . well . . . Katashi-san, may I be completely honest with you?" she blurted out.

Holding back a laugh, Katashi settled on quirking his lips in amusement at the almost frantic expression on her face. "You may."

The miko hesitated for a moment, and glanced at the kitsune still resting on her shoulder. "Shippou, why don't you go walk with Sango and Miroku for awhile? I need to talk to Katashi-san."

The fox's little brow furrowed, but he nodded and hopped lithely to the ground. As he scampered away, Kagome turned back to Katashi, who was eyeing her with something akin to suspicion. She blushed again. "What?"

"Nothing," he assured, and smiled a smile that for some reason made Kagome extremely nervous. "You have something on your mind, I take it?"

"Yes," she said, pursing her full mouth and brushing her hair back as she did. "It's about Inuyasha."

Briefly, Katashi wondered if the miko knew just how distracting she was, but dismissed the thought when she looked up at him with innocent blue eyes. It was apparent she had no idea of her appeal, so he forced his own eyes not to stray from hers. "What about him?" he inquired.

She didn't waste any more time, now that Shippou was out of earshot. "He needs you."

Katashi's expression didn't change, but Kagome could tell by the way he stiffened that she'd shocked him. "How do you mean?"

Exhaling softly, Kagome tried her best to explain. "I know Inuyasha likes to think he's independent and doesn't need anyone, but it's not true. Lately he's been lashing out at us even more than usual, and I don't know what to do about it or how to help him. He seems lost right now, and I know he'd rather eat Tetsusaiga than admit it, but he needs you. Even though you never got to know each other, you're family, and you can help him in a way I will never be able to." Kagome sighed, and smiled sadly. "I'm sorry I'm sort of dropping all this in your lap at once, but I'm very worried about him. I have a feeling something bad is going to happen to him if he keeps going like this."

Katashi was silent for a moment as he contemplated her words, then said "So, in short, you believe he needs a mentor?"

"A mentor," she agreed, "and I don't think anyone could be better than you. You're one of the few people Inuyasha respects, and you're strong enough to keep him in line."

Kagome started when Katashi barked out an incredulous laugh. "That's very kind of you to say, but I must confess I also find that difficult to believe. There is too much resentment wound up within that boy for respect."

"Why do you keep saying that?" Kagome demanded. "I heard you talk about this with Inuyasha last night. What could he resent you for? Dying?"

A beat of quiet passed, and when no answer was forthcoming Kagome chanced a look at her suddenly solemn companion. "Katashi?" she prodded gently. "Are you okay?"

The daiyoukai took a shuddering breath and grinned grimly. "For dying, no, I do not think he resents me that, but for leaving him and his mother alone . . ." Katashi closed his eyes, dark lashes fluttering against the skin of his cheekbones, and when he opened them again they were clear, void of any emotion. "Kagome, would you mind if we perhaps . . . expedited our travels today?"

The topic change was obviously deliberate, but Kagome decided not to comment. "I don't mind. What do you want to do?"

"If you and your friends are agreeable to it, we would fly the rest of the way."

Swallowing the rapid upwelling of discomfort in her belly, Kagome replied "That should be fine," She turned to inform Sango and Miroku of their new plans, but stopped mid-spin. "But . . . Katashi-san, where are we going, exactly?" I can't believe I didn't even think to ask him. Stupid Kagome, she silently berated. Following blindly is bound to get you nowhere good.

"The Western citadel," he answered. Gesturing to his bare torso, he reminded, "I am in need of clothing, yes? Or would you prefer I traverse the countryside like this?"

Yes, Kagome's mind supplied automatically and, without thinking, she pinched herself hard on the leg through her hakama. These thoughts were going to the death of her.

"Kagome?" The priestess glanced up into luminous topaz eyes. "Are you all right?"

"Oh, yes," she assured while cursing herself. "I'm fine. I thought I felt a bug crawling on my leg. No worries." Crimson tinged her face at the pathetic lie, but she certainly wasn't about to tell him the truth. No way.

He didn't look as though he believed her, but Kagome avoided his probing gaze and focused instead on a newly-realized dilemma. Flying would definitely save them a lot of time. Walking to the West would take days and, despite how much her subconscious might enjoy it, Katashi prancing around nearly nude was highly inappropriate. They couldn't very well walk through villages with him looking the way he did. But, no matter how convenient flying was . . .

Kirara could only carry two people.

And therein lay her dilemma.

However, before she could speak her concerns, Katashi's voice yanked her from her thoughts. "Come," he said, and then, to her utter and complete amazement, he slipped a strong arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Her cheek smacked his smooth chest, and Kagome felt her heart rate skyrocket. The heat of his body seeped through her thick clothes, and a peculiar, enticing scent wafted off of his unblemished flesh. Pine . . . and . . . the smell of fresh rain?

Mind thoroughly muddled, Kagome was only vaguely aware of Katashi addressing Sango and Miroku. The hand currently gripping her hip tightened for a second, his fingers almost . . . caressing her, and then she felt his youki begin to manifest underneath their feet before they launched into the sky.

The sudden feeling of weightlessness quickly forced the haze from Kagome's mind. Of their own volition, her hands twisted around Katashi's abdomen in a death-grip, her right palm splayed against the lean cut of his abs, but in her adrenaline-mixed fear she couldn't summon any embarrassment. Later, when she was once again sane, she would probably want to die of mortification for inadvertently feeling him up, but at the moment she was much more preoccupied with not plummeting to her death. She hated flying.

"Relax," Katashi murmured soothingly, "I will not let you fall." He squeezed her hip as if to prove the truth of his words. "Be calm."

Blinking up at him, Kagome's initial reaction was to tell Katashi that Inuyasha let her fall all the time. When sitting on the hanyou's back, he often let her slip from his grasp or forgot she was there altogether. She even had a few faint scars from being dropped unceremoniously on the ground.

But, as she stared at Katashi, taking in the beautiful, marked planes of his face, the brilliant color of his eyes, and the sheer regality he exuded, she realized one very important thing.

This was not Inuyasha.

And, when she felt the muscled divots under her palm flex, Kagome realized she was also in for a very, very long flight.

OoooOoooO

Usually, Katashi considered himself to be an intelligent demon.

He had his moments of short-sightedness, like when he'd underestimated Ryuukotsusei, but overall he believed he was of sound judgment and a keen mind.

Presently, he was questioning that belief.

The sun had reached its zenith in the sky, and Katashi knew they would be arriving at the Western stronghold soon. He had no reservations about returning to his ancestral home. In fact, he was quite looking forward to shocking the hell out of more than a few elder council members and long-time servants. Though he was slightly unsure what the reaction to human visitors would be, he was not overly worried. None would harm his personal guests, and he suspected they would all be so overwhelmed regarding his return to life that Kagome and the others would hardly be spared a passing glance.

The daiyoukai peered down at the miko who seemed to have permanently adhered herself to his skin. She'd not moved from the moment he swept her up into the sky and, were it not for her fluctuating scent, he would have been a little concerned.

He felt himself go rigid as said scent ghosted across his senses again, and he was reminded of his current predicament.

She was flustered.

Buried beneath the nervousness and anxiety, Katashi could detect the absolute faintest, faintest hint . . . of arousal.

And it was driving him mad.

Earlier, he'd thought himself so clever for suggesting they fly to the West. Not only would it be infinitely faster, but it was also a perfectly legitimate excuse to hold Kagome. But it seemed he had not considered one glaringly important detail: he affected her much as she affected him. And now he was pushing his self-control to limits he hadn't even known he possessed. It took everything he had not to rip her miko apparel to shreds and have his wicked way with her while they flew over the country.

He was sure she would not appreciate that.

Kagome's slender fingers suddenly clenched spastically against his stomach, as though she were trying to find purchase somewhere and Katashi nearly groaned out loud. He thanked every kami he knew that Inuyasha was trailing far, far behind. The last thing he needed was his son scenting desire on him with Kagome pressed so intimately to his side.

Mentally shaking himself, Katashi attempted to focus instead on the passing scenery. If he recalled correctly, they were mere moments from arriving at the citadel.

The first view of the city was always spectacular, especially from the air. He wondered how it had changed in the years he had been gone, and hoped Sesshoumaru was, at the very least, a decent ruler. He'd done his best by his eldest son and prayed it was enough, but Sesshoumaru was . . . unique. He was very like his mother, and Katashi couldn't even begin to imagine how the cold bitch had influenced him over the last two centuries. But Sesshoumaru was also fiercely independent, and wouldn't take his mother's coddling and domineering tendencies lightly. As a result, Katashi was extremely curious to see what had become of Kakuremichi.

The Western border came into view then, and Katashi grinned. He cast a look back to make sure all was well with his other companions before flicking his gaze back to the miko in his grasp. She looked terrified; face pale and drawn, she resembled a ghost more than a woman. He could hear her heart beating wildly in her chest, and knew she would need to calm down before they arrived. A panicked and jittery miko in a youkai court would be a disaster waiting to happen.

As he considered what to do, a memory came to the forefront of his mind, from a time when Sesshoumaru had been hardly more than chubby cheeks toddling around on shaky little legs. Despite his young age, his son had still wanted to prove he was just as brave and strong as his father, and had done well in doing so. But there was one thing Katashi remembered that had, on numerous occasions, sent Sesshoumaru running to him in a rare show of fear.

Toads.

The grounds around and within Kakuremichi were filled with them. The first time Sesshoumaru had ever gone outside, into the family gardens, he'd been sitting in the flower bushes raking tiny claws through the dirt with intense fascination when a toad, exceptionally large for its kind, had slipped from the leaf where it was perched and landed right on top of his head . . .

. . . Where it proceeded to pee on him.

Katashi bit back his sudden laughter as he recalled the horrified look on his eldest son's face. As Sesshoumaru matured, his fear of toads had warped into an extreme dislike, but in his early years, with his first encounter still fresh in his mind, Sesshoumaru had always sought him for comfort whenever he came across the small bulge-eyed monsters. Now, he wondered if he could offer the same comfort to Kagome. And he supposed the best way to know would be to try.

So he began to purr.

Light at first, the heavy rumbling sound emanating from his throat gradually deepened until his whole body was practically vibrating. Slowly, Kagome was pulled from her fear-filled stupor, her iron-like grip loosening ever so slightly, and she turned bewildered blue eyes on him. "Katashi-san?"

The inuyoukai didn't respond. Instead, he raised the hand resting on her hip and gently started to rub soothing circles on her back. He could feel how tense she was―her muscles were strung as taut as her bow― and sighed. "You should have told me you were afraid of flying."

She immediately stiffened up again, and he saw what was beginning to be a familiar blush color her cheeks. "It's not . . . I mean, I'm not afraid."

Katashi looked at her curiously, his reassuring hum ceasing for a moment. "There is no reason to deny it. Your heart sounds as if it's about to leap from your chest and you are covered in the scent of fear. You are afraid. It is nothing to be ashamed of."

"I'm not . . . ashamed," she insisted. "And I'm not afraid. Being high up in the air just makes me a little anxious."

"Is that what you call it?" he asked good-naturedly, an amused smile tilting his lips, but sobered when she pinned him with a reproachful glare. He decided to pick up his purring again, and barely held back his smirk when he felt her instantly go limp against him. "I do have a favor to ask of you though, Kagome. We will be arriving soon, and I would prefer not to land in the midst of hundreds of youkai with an overly-anxious priestess. I implore you to try and calm yourself so that we may avoid any . . . accidents."

"I'll be fine once I'm back on the ground," she promised. "Besides, I wouldn't accidentally fry someone just because I'm stressed out."

"Fry someone?" Katashi asked incredulously, unable to help the laughter that followed. "I've never heard it put quite like that."

Another becoming flush. "Yes, well, purify someone," she mumbled before clearing her throat awkwardly. "How much longer before we get there Katashi-san?"

Still smiling, the daiyoukai cast his piercing gaze to the horizon. "It will only be a few moments now. We've already passed over the Western border. Soon, we will get our first view of Kakuremichi."

Kagome's brows drew together as she followed his line of sight. "Kakuremichi?"

"The demon city of the West," Katashi explained. "And home of the Western Lord."

"A demon city?" she echoed in amazement. "Wow . . . I've never seen one before." Suddenly, excitement began to lace through the miko's scent as her anxiety receded, and she turned to him with a bright smile. "I bet it's beautiful, isn't it?"

Katashi returned her smile with a dazzling one of his own. "My opinion may be biased, but . . ." He held his left hand out, gesturing to the expanse of land spread before them. "Yes."

Kagome looked forward eagerly, bright eyes searching, and she had to agree that the Western Lands, seen from the air, were indeed beautiful, but . . .

There was no sign of any sort of civilization.

She wasn't entirely sure what she was expecting but, while she gazed over treetops as they flew toward a long mountain range, the Western Lands looked like vast, untamed wilderness. They were flying relatively low to the ground, so any towns or villages would have been easily visible. Kagome peered up at Katashi in confusion. "Did I . . . miss it?" she asked hesitantly.

Grinning, the daiyoukai shook his head. "No," he replied, and she had a feeling he was being deliberately vague. "Wait a moment."

Thoroughly befuddled, Kagome turned her attention forward once more and promptly choked.

A mountain lay directly in their path.

In the span of a few, insignificant seconds, the mountains she had noted in the distance were now right in her face. Blind panic returned, and Kagome sank her nails into Katashi's skin in alarm.

He was quick to reassure her. "Do not worry. Everything will be fine."

A strange, disbelieving noise escaped her throat. He might be fine if he flew headlong into the side of a mountain, but Kagome knew her weak human bones would shatter like glass. She'd be dead on impact.

The mountain loomed overhead as they drew ever nearer, and the miko's eyes clenched closed of their own accord. She hoped Katashi knew what he was doing, because she really didn't want to know what being a bug splattered on a windshield felt li―

Coolness abruptly washed over her, and Kagome's eyes blinked back open at the odd sensation. Chills rose along her arms, and her previous confusion tripled as her vision tried to adjust to the sudden darkness. "Wha . . . what in the world . . ." From behind she heard Sango and Miroku's shocked gasps and Shippou's elated shout, the latter of which she didn't really understand until she remembered that the kitsune could actually see in the dark.

"Now," Katashi said lowly, his rumbling voice startling Kagome so badly she would've fallen had he not been holding her so tightly, "we've arrived."

"We . . . we have?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes," and as he answered, radiant white light erupted from all around them, illuminating everything she and the others hadn't been able to see. Stunned, the priestess stared in astonishment at the sprawling city laid before her . . .

Inside the mountain.

"Welcome," Katashi whispered softly, happiness apparent in his voice, "to Kakuremichi."

OoooOoooO

A/N: Wow . . . you guys don't even know how happy I am to have FINALLY finished this chapter. That being said, I'd like for it to be known that I am not entirely happy with this, but I did my best. Also, if you notice any grammar errors, please forgive me. I edited over and over again but this is a long chapter and I'm sure I must have missed something. Anyway, for those of you who have been waiting patiently for an update, I hope this didn't disappoint!

Please review! Thanks!