A presence tugged at her subconscious, and though it didn't feel like a threat, Kagome was instantly on alert. She thrashed against whatever—whoever—was holding her. They couldn't have found her this fast, couldn't have survived.

She wouldn't go back.

The collar tightened around her neck, and she let out a warbled scream, trying to roll away.

"Be still." All the air left her lungs as the low timbre of his voice rumbled through her. She'd imagined what he'd sound like a million times, but nothing had even come close to the real thing. Stilling in his arms, suddenly realizing that was what was around her, Kagome stared up into a pale but very human face.

The stripes were less jagged than before, looking as if they'd been painted on instead of cut out of his fur, and the power she'd felt once he'd stepped out of the cage was more contained but still present. Moonlight fur curled around one shoulder, matching the silken tresses cascading down his back. He looked even more otherworldly than before, but the eyes—

The eyes were the same.

"How did you find me?" He snorted as if it were a hard thing to do, but his gaze was fixated on her neck, and she sighed. "It won't come off."

"Perhaps not for you."

Her heart lurched in her chest, and she grabbed a fistful of his fur. "Can you get it off?" He tilted her chin up, inspecting it as best he could in the dim light of the cave. His touch was soft but firm, and a warmth spread through her from her very core. She'd never expected this, even with setting him free, but she'd also never stopped hoping she'd see him again.

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course." The lack of hesitation startled them both, heat blooming onto her cheeks, and she pulled her head out of his grasp to cover her reaction. "It's hard not to, considering what we both went through."

He rumbled in response, brushing her tangled mess of curls out of the way so he could see the back of her neck. "You must keep still." Instead of nodding, she tugged on his fur, then heard the telltale sign of poison sizzling against the collar. Eyes widening, she realized what he was doing, willing herself not to jerk away.

Stark green light flickered from behind her with each drop from his hands, and Kagome regulated her breathing by placing her hand on his chest. Their hearts beat as one as he worked, poison eating through metal and whatever sutras they'd used to seal it. She eventually closed her eyes, pushing at the proverbial lock from the inside, and the collar dropped to the cave floor.

She slumped against him as her power surged, overloading her as it sought to heal her wounds. Having been stifled for so long, she couldn't control it, and pink lightning shot through the darkness. "You should leave," she said, trying to pull away, but he held firm, intertwining their fingers as he became a conduit, guiding her excess power out of the cave.

Once the overflow ebbed, she was left gasping for air and stability, and he gave her both, tucking her head under his chin. She should've been embarrassed—she was covered in dirt, sweat, and who knows what else—but he surrounded her in a warmth that curled around her body and heart, and for the first time in months, she relaxed.

He felt safe.

She was safe.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"It is I who should be thanking you," he replied, settling against the cave wall. "You could have escaped long ago if not for me."

Kagome shook her head. "I tried. Several times. But they always caught up with me. Besides, there's no way I could've left you behind."

"Yet you did." There was an underlying bite to his tone, and she pulled back, the muscles along his jaw clenched as he stared at the mouth of the cave.

"I didn't want to get in the way!" she sputtered. "And it stopped them from going after me. You were free—"

"But you were not." He gave her a pointed look, his hand sliding up her spine to rest at the base of her neck. Her skin was still raw and likely would be for a while even with her healing abilities, but the tingling she felt had nothing to do with the side effects of the collar.

She flushed as he continued to stare at her. "I would've survived."

"But I would not have."

"What are you—" The words died in her throat as he leaned forward, his tongue sliding along the expanse of her neck. Kagome froze in his lap, hands flexing against his chest as he eased the pain left behind by the collar. Heat pooled low in her stomach, and she stifled a moan as he switched to the other side.

She'd heard daiyoukai possessed advanced healing abilities much like her own, but they came from a long line of heightened power—and were usually reserved for family.

Or mates.

His nose nudged her ear, and she automatically tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck fully as he rumbled in approval. "I would have kept you safe."

"I didn't want to distract you."

"You are nothing but a distraction." Indignation flared but was quickly snuffed out as his lips claimed hers, the taste of him leaving her trembling. Whimpering, her arms snaked around his neck, pulling him closer. He was careful of the wounds on her back, though they were far less tender than when she'd first entered the cave, grip tightening as he took his fill.

"I wasn't running away from you," she said when air became a growing necessity.

"I would hope not," he mused, nuzzling her temple. "Though I would have relished the hunt."

The flush returned, but she smiled. "Even though you don't know my name?"

The side of his mouth lifted into a smirk. "I have called you many things since that first night you dared me to eat you."

Kagome chuckled. "Oh, I can imagine. I doubt any of them were very nice, so why don't you tell me the latest one?"

Lithe claws ran through her hair, tilting her face toward his. "Mine."

She licked her lips, unable to stop the shiver that wracked her body. "It's Kagome, but I can live with you calling me that."

"I shall let you know if the sentiment ever changes." By the look in his eyes, she doubted it would happen anytime soon. Though he scowled at her after offering his own name, and she dared to laugh, claiming there was no other he could possibly be called by.

She knew there would be retribution, but for now, she was content to enjoy her newfound freedom within the confines of his arms, letting the sun rise on a new beginning.

For both of them.