Chapter 6

Hey all! Sorry for the extended absence! Life was tough for a while and I just did not have the energy to write at all! I'm slowly trying to ease back into it!

First I wanted to address some comments left in the reviews! Someone asked why Touga doesn't just take Kagome and leave if he hates Satori so much. Well, this is a huge decision for him and he wants to take his time preferably. Yes, Satori's behavior is off putting, but her breeding is excellent and if he chose not to take a mate she would be a solid choice for a breeding contract. Luckily he's smitten with Kagome already lol

Another commenter was annoyed with me for saying that if the response was good I would update sooner. That wasn't entirely true clearly lol. I said that because I do all my writing on mobile lately and it's quite difficult (literally kills my hands). So I'm already slow on updates, but your positive responses keep me encouraged even if it doesn't always show!

I'm also thinking of looking for a beta because I have noticed some typos and grammatical mistakes due to using mobile to write. I would rather focus on trying to get into consistent updates, rather than go back and edit everything right now. If anyone is interested please let me know!

I think this is gonna be a long one possibly so buckle in!

Now on to the update!

It seemed as if everything was against her, the entire world sneering at every notion of happiness she could ever grasp. Kagome felt cursed, broken and discarded like yesterday's scraps.

It had been three days since she had gotten the news that shattered her entire world, leaving her spinning as she scrambled to pick up the pieces. Her family had done the unthinkable, and she was their sacrificial lamb…

Even now as night fell, the hush of darkness and the absence of sound which came with the dark of night, Kagome laid unmoving in her bed. She simply stared at the ceiling with a defeated heaviness in her chest, even as servants came and went from her quarters, removing her things to load up into the carriage waiting outside.

Her father had revised his plans in the hopes of better success… Having Ryujin come here would inevitably be the start of a horrific conflict.

And so, the plan had changed. Kagome was to be taken from the palace in the dead of night and delivered via carriage to her soon to be mate.

The dragon of the North: Ryujin. A yokai who was known for his viciousness and bloodthirsty campaigns in not just those lands, but any he happened to wander through.

Kagome knew without a doubt… he would most likely kill her. At best, she might be used as a breeding tool and kept alive, but in a constant state of misery. As if that was any better than death itself.

She sighed as the last of her things were carried out, a chest of clothing being carried out by two servants. Her eyes watched them as she stood, her own dark blue kimono shifting down over her legs in elegant waves. Dark crescent shaped magenta moons adorned her sleeves and chest, the marks of her house and status.

Knowing what they were for made her stomach churn. She was being offered up to be devoured by a dragon, all because she was of noble birth. That thought alone made her want to grind her teeth in aggravation… or perhaps despair.

Before she could contemplate it any further, a familiar scent approached the rice paper doors of her room. Soft rapping sounded a moment later, bidding her to give permission to enter.

A moment later the rice paper shifted back, revealing a kneeling Tokuhei. Kagome couldn't even bring herself to smile at him, or greet him with any sort of enthusiasm.

"My lady, the time has come for your departure. Your father bids you to hurry, lest Touga-sama discover what is going on."

Even as he spoke, the words tasted bitter in his mouth, followed by the taste of bile as he swallowed his dictate. To relinquish his charge, his mistress up like this… to a dragon of all things, made his blood boil.

If he could have even a moment to himself without the watchful eyes of Atsushi or Hatsumi watching… he would have told the Western Lord of their plans himself. Punishment be damned.

They were the worst sort of pests, constantly shadowing and sticking their noses where they didn't belong. He'd had not a moment to get away from them, as they likely suspected what he would do.

His loyalty lay with Kagome, not them. And they knew it.

Kagome felt her chest tighten as she nodded at him. Everything in her wanted to scream and defy what she'd been told, to seek out Touga and have him save her from this fate.

She couldn't do that. If she even tried, she would be caught. The watchful eyes of the palace were constantly leering in her direction now, schemes dancing in cold eyes filles with distaste.

'I wish… I could say goodbye… if only so that I could see him one more time.'

Wistful thoughts such as these were harmful she discovered in that moment, for her longing only grew. And in time with the hopeful blooming in her chest, came the face of her doom, dashing all hopes and dreams with it.

Hatsumi made her appearance known, gliding into the room with Satori on her heels. An arrogant, happy smile rested on her rouge painted lips as she made a hand gesture at her youngest pup.

"Well then, let us go and load you up. It would not do to make Ryujin wait, would it?"

A laugh from Satori, followed by her sneering disdain. She stepped aside and smirked as Kagome slowly ambled out of the room, her thick raven tresses secured into an elegant bun, decorated with jeweled combs.

Hatsumi took the lead, leading her two daughters down the hall, towards the entryway of the palace. She glanced back at Kagome once, smirking at the despondent look on her youngest daughter's face. Now she could safely say that the dirty little secret her family had been hiding was being discarded.

She could not be happier…

"Move more quickly. We do not need to waste any more time than we already have." She ordered, hiding her face behind a flowing sleeve as Kagome flinched. In the background she noticed her daughter's guard stiffen and frown at her, causing her to snarl back at him soundlessly.

That one would be a problem…

Atsushi had already thought of it, and thus, had been keeping a careful eye on the younger male. If she wasn't careful he would sneak off and inform Touga before they could fully enact their plan.

"Tokuhei, have you ensured that all of Kagome's things are loaded onto the carriage properly?" She inquired as she carefully watched him, having moved back just slightly to allow herself to keep him in her peripherals.

A short nod was his response. Nothing more. His eyes wouldn't even glance in her direction.

'Poor thing… He must really be upset by this.'

She nearly snickered, but kept her amusement to herself as they neared the entrance, where a soft clammer could be heard from outside. Hearing it caused her to gesture for her daughter's to hasten their steps, the last of the finely polished wood giving way to the weathered stone walkways outside.

A large carriage awaited, decorated with satin curtains and surrounded by a platoon of guards. In the front, a two headed dragon was hooked up, ready to pull it to its destination.

Atsushi stood beside the carriage, awaiting them with an impatient gaze. He gestured for Kagome to move and get into the carriage, not even sparing her with a parting glance. "When you arrive do mate quickly. We would hate for Touga to try and come claim you, only to succeed."

Kagome bit her lip, watching as her father walked away without another word. Was that really it? No well wishes, not even a proper goodbye? Tears pricked at her eyes, making them sting as her mother and sister watched her with amusement. She then glanced at Tokuhei, near sniffling at the sight of his despondent face.

Why her…? Just when life started to feel… good.

The carriage jolted then, drawing her attention forward as the procession started making its way out of the Shiro gates. And with one last look back at her home, the one containing her one hope of happiness and love, she slumped against the seat and allowed the grief to take over.

(Touga POV)

Something was amiss.

He knew part of what it was, and yet, everyone around him was being as tight lipped as one could possibly be.

Touga walked down the hallways of Atsushi's shiro, his eyes wandering about in hopes of catching sight of Kagome. It had been four whole days since they had last seen one another. Three whole days since she had been called to her father's study rather abruptly, and since then, there had been no sign of her.

Once again he had not been permitted near her rooms, nor given the opportunity to see her. When he'd asked her father, Atsushi had informed him that she was needed elsewhere for the time being.

The excuse felt off… and yet the male did not smell of deceit. It baffled him.

Since that day, he had been forced to spend nearly every second of his time with Satori. The female was tenacious and while he could admire that, she was simply not to his liking. He almost detested the thought of having to sit through yet another round of tea and gossip with the eldest sister.

His mother used to say that absence made the heart grow fonder, and that seemed true to him. With each day that he did not see Kagome, his agitation grew. Before he had even realized it, the little onyx inu had grown on him. No, perhaps that was not accurate, he had developed genuine feelings for the little female.

And yet he had wasted so much time second guessing himself… wanting to be one hundred percent sure of his decision.

His thoughts were interrupted as a familiar presence approached him, causing his gold eyes to look up as Satori rounded a corner and approached him with a pleased smile. No, pleased was not the right way to describe it… she was simply ecstatic in her own way. It set him on edge for some reason.

"Touga-sama." She greeted with a deep bow, her silver pig tails slipping over the shoulders of her light blue kimono.

"Satori." He greeted back as was proper, while coming to a stop so the female could fall into step right behind him.

"How are you this morning?" She inquired with interest, eyes gleaming with barely repressed desire.

"I am as well as can be expected." He answered without taking the bait. Bedding her was not something that he had any desire for.

His words earned him a small pout, then delicate arms wrapped around his bicep as they walked down the hallway. "Would you like to spend some time together today Touga-sama? I could think of some things we could do…"

The sultry purr wasn't necessary for him to get what she was suggesting. Her scent had grown stronger, more potent as her arousal swirled around them like an aphrodisiac. If he were a lesser male it may have won him over, but instead he shook his head and gently remove her arms from around his bicep.

"I am afraid not Satori, for I am looking for your sister at the moment."

"Why ever would you be looking for her? You could have my company instead." She insisted rather brazenly.

"I have had plenty of your company these last few days. As I said before, my intention is to spend time equally with both you and Kagome. Where is she? I have asked for her and been denied her presence each time."

Their gazes met, Satori's indignant, while Touga allowed his frustration to show finally. He had more than enough of this dancing around, his choice having been made over these last few days.

There was no reason to waste time and hurt Satori's feelings further. She was not his choice, and it was time she knew.

Thus, he turned fully to face her and sighed. He never looked forward to hurting a female's feelings, but time was simply being wasted here. "Satori… I have made my choice. In truth, on some level I feel as if I knew who I wanted within days of arriving here."

A look of anticipation twisted the female's face, and perhaps a little bit of worry. "Yes…? And you have chosen me, yes?" Her tone was hopeful as she fluttered her lashes at him.

Her hopes were quickly dashed, leaving her reeling when he shook his head and squared her with an even look. "No. I have chosen Kagome. We are more compatible and I find myself attracted to her kind heart… and this is a quality you do not possess. I find you… cold and unappealing as a mate prospect."

A blade of grass could have hit the floor and been heard as a deafening silence fell between the two. Satori could only stare at him in shock as his words sunk in. "Y-You do not choose me? You would choose a female who is of dirty blood? She is not even a true silver inu! Have you not seen her?"

Her tone rose, drawing attention from the servants nearby, drawing them to observe the confrontation with interest.

His annoyance grew. "You are making a spectacle of yourself. I spoke clearly."

An annoyed scream bubbled up in the back of Satori's throat as she fisted her hands so hard that her own claws dug into her palms. All of their work, plotting, and efforts… they were for nothing?! He wanted Kagome of all females…

And he could not even have her… for she was gone.

Yes indeed, she was well into her journey to the Northern Kingdom. That thought alone made her smile a cruel, angry smile. "Well I hate to inform you… but Kagome is no longer an option for your attentions."

As soon as she made that spiteful statement, her mouth slammed shut. She shouldn't have said that, and she knew so when his eyes narrowed on her form. A shiver racked her body when his youki swelled and grew, suffocating in its intensity, and stirring with agitation.

Before Satori could even speak another word, he was within touching distance, his face inches from hers as red began bleeding into the whites of his eyes. "What do you mean female. Speak plainly or you and your deceitful pack shall discover what it means to anger the Inu no Taisho." He growled, low and threatening.

Several of the servants nearby scrambled back away from the two, scrambling over their own feet to avoid the male's fury. And furious he was, his scent sharp and piercing, burning the noses of those closest as his youki pulsed with his growing rage.

They had deceived him… and most likely, it was not the first time.

Satori clamped her mouth shut, refusing to speak. Yes, she feared what he might do to her, but to speak of what they had done would give him a chance to undo it. And so, she would take the punishment in the hopes he was forced to accept her, rather than chase her sister down.

A new voice cut in then, startling the eldest daughter enough that her barely contained stoicism instantly. "They sent her off to the Northern lands… to mate Ryujin, dragon Lord of the territory."

Tokuhei had wanted to scream this plot days ago, his insides quivering with restlessness. Until then he had no chance, but now he had no choice but to speak to save his mistress.

Ryujin of the north…?

Touga felt his breath stop.

His chest pounded harshly in his chest.

Blood pumped throughout his veins in seering waves.

Nothing could stop the loud roar that suddenly erupted from his mouth, chest reverberating as his eyes fully bled a deep blood red. His irises changed to an icy blue, the single blue stripes on each of his cheeks elongating and growing jagged as his youki spiraled out of control.

He didn't even spare any of them a glance, not Satori, not her parents who had come running at his angry outburst. No, he simply turned and rushed out the nearest open shoji, leaping up from the ground and clearing the shiro walls as he took to the sky.

They thought to trick him and give him no chance to have what he wanted… Well they would find that he would take her anyway…

There was still plenty of time to catch up… and if not… well he had been meaning to kill the dragon anyway.

(Kagome POV)

The night had passed in relative peace, at least on the outside. On the inside, she was a wreck. Her nerves were eating away at her, causing her to curl in on herself as the moments trekked by and she grew closer to her destination.

The journey north would take 2 days at most… meaning that was all the time she had left until she was subjected to the life of being a dragon's mate. Even the thought made her want to weep!

Part of her had thought to run, to flee from the guards and take off into the wilderness to escape this fate. But would she make it? Could she outrun all of the trained soldiers who were assigned to ensure she was safely delivered?

No, that was unlikely…

A sigh escaped her, a sound echoed by a sudden shout from outside the carriage. Kagome felt her head snap up as an unfamiliar youki suddenly made itself known. She stiffened when the scent of a powerful dragon invaded her nostrils, cold blood carrying a cloying scent. It nearly made her sneeze from the unpleasant aroma.

More than that, she felt alarmed. They were in the Northern lands now, but at the very southern most border, the one laying between her father's lands and Ryujin's. This scent… it could belong to any dragon.

She yanked the curtains back, eyes following the movements of the soldiers as they set up a protective barrier around her carriage. In the distance a large, ashen gray dragon approached from the sky, form twisting and winding in a serpentine manner.

And then they flashed downwards, red youki spilling outward as the massive form drew in on itself, growing smaller and smaller… until it dispersed and left a tall youkai standing before her conveyance.

"I thought I smelled a bunch of dogs crossing my borders." He sneered whilst eyeing her detachment lazily, with eyes of a startling shade of blood red.

They drifted over the carriage next, and their eyes met as she stared at him in apprehension. His borders… That could only mean that this was him. The male she was unfortunately destined to belong to…

He was large and muscular, with waist length ashen colored hair and pale skin. His features were sharp, though not unattractive, with high cheek bones and a broad, masculine shaped chin. Each cheek sported a patch of purple color scales, right at the junction between his cheekbone and his eyes, and his lips were painted… or perhaps stained a blood red.

Kagome shuddered when she saw him. Dread swelled in her belly and made her feel sick… His very aura spoke of death and sadism… she could feel it, and it did not bode well for her.

"I see you are delivering my parcel." Ryujin smirked as the little inu stared at him. In truth, she was comely for a dog, much to his surprise. Sapphire eyes stared at him, and delicate lips coated with red rouge trembled as she watched.

'Yes she would do… Being attractive was a good thing if he was to breed her and gain the poison abilities her clan was known for,'

"Bring her out so I may get a better look at her." He ordered with a flick of his wrist.

One of the soldiers bowed and rushed over to try and help her down from the carriage. She froze however, unable to move as he stared her down with an expression she didn't want to understand.

Her staring was interrupted when she was gently yanked off her bench, blue silk billowing around her as she was led down the steps onto solid ground. The whole time her eyes watched him, as that sinking feeling made her feel hollow and yet somehow heavy.

'Is this what death feels like…?'

Surely it was. She could never imagine feeling this in all her days… this sense of foreboding.

It overwhelmed her, made her quiver as she stood there, watching him as he slowly sauntered his way towards her. Panic made her skin crawl, her breathing growing fast and labored as she warred with herself and the need to flee.

The choice was instinctive, one she could inevitably not fight. Nor did she want to, not when the scent of blood finally broke past the panic in her mind. So much blood, so many different scents…

Humans…

Demons…

The sheer number of individual smells, the thick sweet scents of their blood, had her turning on her heel and taking off at a sprint in a desperate attempt to get away from this male.

She heard shouting, and the chorus of booted feet as the soldiers gave chase, and yet she never looked back. Eyes trained ahead, she ran as fast as her feet could carry her, youki swelling with her panic and desire to escape. It carried her faster, the trees blurring together from her sheer speed.

'Please let me get away!'

The thought was a desperate plea, a chant she repeated even as she sensed the pursuit of others behind her. She could sense the agitated youki of her detachment, and more than that, the angered youki of the dragon she'd been thrown at like a slab of meat on a dinner platter.

She didn't get very far, not before a clawed hand caught hold of her hair and yanked her back harshly, ripping more than a few strands of her onyx colored locks. Kagome cried out as she was yanked back into a broad chest, the overwhelming scent of blood identifying the one who'd grabbed her.

Oh gods no…

She began struggling without a moment's pause, her claws flashing green as she swung at the dragon with a fearful snarl. His eyes widened for a split second as her claws tore into his cheek, leaving three deep gouges.

Yet he didn't let her go of her. His eyes narrowed upon being wounded by her claws, causing him to willingly release her, but only to deliver a powerful backhanded slap that made her yelp as she was sent crashing to the forest floor.

Ok… that one really hurt…

Her cheek pulsed with pain as she slowly sat up and cupped it, feeling a trickle of blood seeping through her fingers as she stared up at the male who was scowling his displeasure at her.

"You will come willingly, or I will hurt you until you cannot fight me. I will not have an unruly bitch in my shiro, you will submit to me." He hissed venomously.

Kagome glare at him, her fear joined by anger as she weighed her options. She couldn't… no she wouldn't go with him. He was an awful male, and she realized she would rather die than go with him.

This stubborn thought was the only driving force as she slowly stood, her youki flaring as she discarded her human form with a challenging growl. "I would rather die!"

Black fur sprouted along elongated limbs, her face contorting into a muzzle dripping with massive, sharp teeth. Ears grew larger, growing up to swivel atop her head as she spread her four legs into a defensive stance and snarled at the male in front of her.

She couldn't stop shaking as she stared him down in challenge, even though she knew how this would end.

'I will die… but at least I will never be his!'

That last thought appeased her as she squared her shoulders, awaiting his next move.

(Mixed POV)

The distant clashing of youki was the first telling sign that he was getting close, and it spurred him to move faster if such a thing were possible. Touga recognized Kagome's youki, as well as the one that rose to meet hers.

Ryujin…

His chest constricted as fear overwhelmed him. Kagome was young and had potential, but she was no match for Ryujin. He would torture her to death simply for daring to oppose him.

That thought pushed him beyond the realm of sanity, causing him to flare his own youki as his four legs pounded against the earth. He'd long since shed his human form as rage consumed him, leaving him to tear gouges in the very earth in his desperate race to reach her.

The scent of her blood reached his nose next, the smell thick in a way that made his own blood run cold.

Distant sounds of snarling and hissing, the crackling of trees and earth giving way met his ears.

She is close…!

He would have felt relief, had a pained yelped not reached his ears at the same moment. A snarl racked his chest once more, and at that moment he broke through a line of trees, toppling them with his massive paws as he came face to face with the cursed dragon himself.

The sight that greeted him made his rage meet an entirely new height, one he never felt in all his long years on this planet.

Kagome was in her inu form, her claws glowing green as they tore at Ryujin's scaly hide. The dragon had his coils wrapped around her, squeezing her with his much larger mass. Blood pooled around them, both his and hers, red and a sickly purple staining the earth.

She was slowly losing her grip, the coils crushing her, bones creaking and cracking as the breath was knocked from her lungs. Kagome barely had any sense of what was happening outside of her battle with Ryujin, not the soldiers… or even Touga's arrival.

No, she felt herself growing faint, blood seeping from gashes and bite marks Ryujin had inflicted on her. She had truly had no idea how fast and powerful he would be, and his experience showed. Within mere moments he'd encircled her, cutting off her air and tormenting her with harsh bites of his fangs.

Her only consolation was that she'd left deep gouges with her poison claws. She'd seen the pain in his eyes before the anger overwhelmed him, and that thought alone gave her some sense of pride…

Even as her head swam and she felt herself slumping against the thick scales that trapped her. Her world spun and darkness began to creep into the edges of her vision…

Seeing her head slump, eyes barely holding themselves open, was his undoing. Touga threw himself at Ryujin, startling the dragon enough that he was forced to release his coils and drop Kagome to the ground. He quickly took to the sky, making as much distance as possible as the Western Lord's furious gaze looked upon him with murderous contempt.

"This bitch is mine dog. Run back home with your tail between your legs." He taunted, his serpentine form dodging a powerful swipe of Touga's claws.

His enemy's words only angered him further, prompting him to channel his youki into his claws, causing them to buzz with a powerful electrical current. He quickly lunged at Ryujin, slashing the dragon in a lightning fast move the dragon clearly didn't predict.

A hiss escaped the ashen serpent, his fangs bared as he felt his blood flow from the deep wound across his abdomen. Ryujin felt his anger spike, responding in kind and diving down to try wrapping his coils around the inu.

Touga anticipated this and dodge to the side, keeping himself between his female and the pesky serpent. He had no patience for games, no joy in the challenge, and thus, his actions were absolutely brutal and concise when he pivoted on his back paws and clamped his jaws around Ryujin's neck.

He revelled in the pained sound the bastard made-!

He wasted no time in applying a crushing pressure, his fur bristling with electricity which served to prevent the lizard from wrapping his coils around him. Scales and flesh burned, and the dragon hissed in pain as his neck was crushed and he was rendered near helpless.

Touga did not even entertain thoughts of sparing him, his jaws finally crushing their way through tough scales as he wrenched his head sideways, ripping Ryujin's head from his body in one swift motion.

He let it fall along with the rest of the serpent's body, a roar escaping him as he stomped on the dragon's head and crushed it for good measure.

"Good riddance you vile piece of scum!" He snarled as his eyes drifted up to land on Kagome's form.

She struggled to get up from the ground, head swimming as blood dripped onto the ground below. Somehow… some way, the dragon's hold on her had been ended, but she couldn't quite grasp what had happened.

At least, that was until silver fur invaded her field of vision, prompting her to look up at Touga's agitated face. Seeing him made her feel relieved, safe even, enough to let the tension still holding her captive go.

Her youki dwindled, allowing her fur to recede and human features to take over. She collapsed then, the experience taking its toll on her.

Strong arms caught her before she could fall, pulling her close to a heavily armored chest. "Kagome! Kagome say something!"

Blue eyes barely remained open, a dopey smile spreading across her face. She could only mumble a tired, "You came for me…"

Touga watched her eyes slide closed and shoulders slump, body succumbing to her exhaustion. He held her tightly, eyes raking over her wounds which still spilled blood even now.

And one thought came to him then…

There will be hell to pay…

Well here you go! I'm a little rusty so I'm nervous about this update but I hope you all like it! I wanted to fit a lot into this one because I need the romance ark to truly start, like I NEED it! I also plan on posting an OC x Touga fanfiction, so I hope you guys will like that too! I plan on starting regular updates now! Fingers crossed!