22AG: Okay guys; I'm back. But before you go on, I want to have a moment of silence – on April 19th, the day before I participated in the national Day of Silence Campaign 2012 (supported by GLSEN) my friend Sierra went home and found her dog, Molly, drowned in her backyard pond. Molly was getting old, and she wouldn't have lived much longer, but she was the sweetest, most patient little dog ever, and I would like to honor her memory. Molly, you are gone; but not forgotten. We love you.
Requiem in pacem
Inuyasha's Thoughts
Kagome's Thoughts
Chapter 3: I'm Psycho and I know It
At the encampment, a panic was steadily rising. A student was missing, and had been gone for several hours. Attempts to find her or contact her through her cellphone had failed. A worker had radioed in the news to the nearest airfield, and a search party was under way to comb the area.
As the storm whipped up the tundra, though, morale was low—temperatures were dropping quickly, and with unhappy looks at one another, everyone knew what the outlook was. Grim. Chances were, they'd be finding a frozen corpse buried in snow. No one relished telling her family. And even if she was still alive...how long could she last out there in the wilderness all alone?
Finally.
He gazed down benevolently at her sleeping form. A pleased smile graced his face, and a contented rumble vibrated from his chest.
At last, he had found her. It was a heady feeling.
Mine. Mate.
He shifted her in his arms, cuddling her closer. She mumbled in her sleep – something about ferrets in glittery letter jackets wielding lemonade on flying bison.
A small worried frown creased her forehead. He kissed the wrinkle, smoothing it away. He noted with pleasure that she snuggled up against him, curling into his embrace.
I'll wait just a little longer, he decided. He wouldn't wake her just yet. Better enjoy it while he could. Because when she woke up...all hell was gonna break loose.
Blink. Blink. Mmm...everything's fuzzy. Niiice...
Kagome woozily dragged herself from the comfort of sleep.
"5 more minutes, Mom. The peanut butter and jelly sea monkeys just let me out of the conga line..."
She groaned, and rolled over. Or rather, tried to roll over. And collided with something hard and warm. Very warm.
Kagome's eyes snapped open.
She found herself nose-to-chest with a smooth expanse of skin. She wriggled, looking up. She was cradled in the arms of a...man. Shirtless, very masculine man. Did we mention shirtless? (fan girl drool) MMGAH.
Her mental processes ground to a halt.
...
Cue ear piercing shriek.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH! PERVERT!"
"AGH!"
The boy's eyes flew open and he released her, tumbling off the bed with a loud thump. "Shit!" he let loose with a string of expletives that would've made a gangster blush. He sprawled out on the floor groaning. Muttering foul curses under his breath, he sat up.
"What the hell was that for? And did you have to scream that loud? My ears are still ringing!"
"Who are you? What did you do to me? Where am I?" she demanded.
Then she paused to take him in in all his topless glory.
...ooh.
He was tanned, tall and lean with well-muscled arms (that had just been wrapped around her) and a …gah. Sculpted abdomen and chest.
Kagome gulped, wiping away imaginary drool, and her eyes wandered up to his face. Her jaw dropped.
Burning golden eyes glared heatedly at her from beneath angry black brows and a silver shadow of bangs. His pretty lips were pulled back in a snarl of irritation, revealing gleaming white fangs.
Wow. That's a lot of hair, she thought inanely. And it was- it cascaded in an uninterrupted waterfall of gorgeous locks down his back, with two thick handfuls lopped off a little ways below his collarbone that fell from beneath his bangs like sideburns. It looked so soft and shiny.
A thought ran, unbidden, through her head, I wonder how it would feel if I ran my fingers through it...NO! BAD GIRL! Bad, bad thoughts. She mentally chastised herself for even THINKING such a thing. She shook her head to dispel the naughty visions.
A twitch caught her eye, and she stared dumbstruck at something nestled in his bed-tousled hair.
Two somethings, actually.
Fuzzy. Dog. Ears.
The furry triangles twitched towards her again, and her finger twitched in a Pavlovian response to their cuteness.
Now those she itched to touch.
"Are you gonna stare at me all day?" he asked irritably, making her jump and flush pink. Then he paused, tilting his head as if to consider her. A slow smirk spread across his lips. "...Or do you like what you see?"
A crimson blush painted her face. "Wha...wha...YOU!" she stammered. She sat up, throwing the covers off to confront him—only to discover she was wearing nothing but a large thin cotton t-shirt and a pair of panties.
With another shriek, this time of embarrassed horror, she yanked the comforter up to shield her half-naked body from his appreciative view. She could have sworn he scowled and muttered, "Damn".
"You pervert! Get away from me!"
He leered, coming fluidly to a stand and leaning over her intimidatingly.
"Now, now, what kind of a greeting is that? Besides, if I 'get away from you' I won't be able to answer your questions, will I?" All this was said in a patronizingly silky tone that made her squirm.
She bristled with fury. "Don't you DARE talk to me that way! You can answer questions just as well from the other side of the room." Preferably behind bars...and a reinforced glass window...in a straightjacket...with me in full body armor armed with a Taser.
"I know how people like you think, so keep your distance."
He raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh? And who exactly are 'people like me'?"
She sniffed. "Insane kidnappers, obviously. There's no point trying to hide it. I won't play along with your sick game, and I won't do what you want."
He was silent for a moment. Then he threw back his head and began to howl with laughter. "HAHAHAHAHA! That's...you thought I was a kidnapper? You are too much!"
He sighed, and his whole demeanor shifted. Now he looked dangerous…and hungry. Ohgodohgodohgod...what did I just do? What's he going to do to me? His eyes smoldered at her and he began to stalk toward her. She trembled, unable to run away with his eyes pinning her to the spot like prey. She looked around the room for a means of escape; but it was too late.
He swung a leg up onto the bed and trapped her between his arms. "'fraid I can't leave you alone, sweetheart," he drawled. He loomed over her on the bed. By now Kagome had scrambled up against the headboard clutching a pillow to her chest.
She felt like a cornered rabbit. Her heart beat even faster as his large body blocked her. Skin brushed skin and sent tremors racing through her body. Heated breath burned her cheek. She tensed with apprehension.
"This isn't a game. And as for what I want...I have you at my mercy," he murmured. Click. "So I suggest you behave." Or there will be consequences, love.
A completely foreign presence pushed its way into her mind, and a voice that sounded like the man's resonated through her head.
She gasped and her head whipped up to lock her eyes with his.
Molten gold and blood red seared into her mind, swirling around her in a maelstrom of emotions. The storm swallowed her up and erased everything else. Nothing was left but him. He stripped her of her defenses and immersed her in his identity. They were immutably bound together.
She cried out, a feeling welling up from deep inside her; an ancient instinct that could not be ignored. She screamed.
"INUYASHAA!"
Inuyasha roared "Kagome!" in a deep rumble that resonated through the connection.
As the wave of knowing hit her, he whispered in her ear. What he said made the dam crumble, letting his essence crash into her soul like a tidal wave.
"You are mine."
Snap.
The bond broke, and he withdrew suddenly.
They fell apart.
Kagome was left weak and shivering. Her innermost self had been bared to him, in all its flaws and failings and distorted memories. Her mind shook with the impact of the invasion, the breach of the walls she had built up over the years – it weakened. It was not broken, but now a chink had appeared in her armor.
But what truly struck fear into her heart was...something had stirred, deep down.
A feeling of belonging.
Inuyasha (If that was his name, she thought) sat back on his heels leisurely, inspecting her for a reaction. He looked distinctly pleased with himself.
Kagome took a deep, trembling breath; then exhaled slowly.
All at once she leaped off the bed and bolted for the door. She ran on coltish shock-stiffened legs.
This should have made her easy to catch.
Inuyasha cursed and lunged for her but stumbled, falling heavily.
She whipped around the corner of the open door, skidding on the smooth finish at the sudden turn, and took off down a long corridor. Her bare feet slapped the cold hard stone.
Before she made it even a quarter of the distance, a rush of air blew past her and he appeared ahead of her with a predatory look darkening his eyes.
She shrieked and skittered backwards but he had her around the waist in a trice hauling her over his shoulder in one smooth swing.
Kagome let out an indignant whine the breath knocked from her lungs by the impact with his shoulder. When he heard the soft cry, the side of his mouth kicked up into a fanged grin.
She pounded on his back with small fists, screaming "Put me down, jerk! HELLLP!"
She was silenced mid-tantrum when Inuyasha jostled her on his arm, forcing the wind from her throat and also serving to stop her clawing peevishly at his back. Deprived of air to scream with, Kagome watched with growing fascination Inuyasha's flattening ears.
"Oi, wench! Pipe down! If you're gonna scream, you'll do it in my bed, ya hear?"
If it is humanly possible to turn the color of a freshly painted fire truck, then that was what Kagome did upon hearing the lewd innuendo.
"Why you..."she growled, glaring at him.
She flailed wildly and tried to hit him with the intention of making him drop her. She got her wish. When she tugged violently on a hank of his hair, he dumped her unceremoniously to the ground. She landed on her tailbone with a small huff of surprise and pain. Kagome got to her feet and tried to run for it but he was too fast for her.
Incensed, he roughly slammed her up against the wall and growled. "I'm running out of patience, little girl, so don't try me." His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.
He had her hands locked above her head with one hand, a jean-clad leg inching between her bare thighs, and his other hand was playing with the hem of her t-shirt. Kagome struggled in vain to wrench her wrists from his iron grip and slap that wandering hand away.
Inuyasha leaned in and languidly licked her cheek. He appreciated the soft, luxuriant feel of her rosy skin with his mouth. His tongue trailed down and briefly flicked over her top lip. He traced the outline of her put with his mouth leisurely, stopping just short of a kiss.
Reluctantly, he let go, only to scoop her up in a bridal hold a second later. He crossed the corridor, ignoring the low affronted grumbles and dark looks she shot his way. Before long, he came to a stop. Kagome shifted uncomfortably, twisting to look about and puzzled at the sudden halt.
They had come upon a winding staircase spiraling down into the gloom. Kagome peeked surreptitiously over the railing. A wave of nausea swept over her, turning her stomach and tilting her world perilously.
That is a looong way down...probably six flights or more, she estimated. She did the math glumly, and shuddered. If they fell...well, she wouldn't want to be the person scraping them off the floor.
Click. Oh, don't be so morbid, mate.
Kagome jumped. #%*? Stop doing that! She thought angrily. Whatever it was.
Did you really just think a curseword in symbols? That. Is. Adorable. How do you even do that? His thoughts came across as highly amused.
Argh! Leave me alone! Intruder alert!
Riip.
There was that strange feeling again, and Inuyasha was gone.
It wouldn't pay to run away now. He might try to toss me over. Crazy-psycho-kidnapping-sexy bastards tend to do stuff like that, right?
...wait. SEXY? I did not just seriously think that. No! Retch!
She was so wrapped up in her rambling train of thought that she didn't notice Inuyasha take a step back. His whole body tensed in preparation. Kagome popped out of her internal rant at the motion.
"Eh...?"What is he doing? He's acting like Buyo when he's getting ready to jump up on the...the...oh. OH.
It clicked. #$*!
She started to kick and squirm desperately, trying to get out of the apparently suicidal boy's grasp. Her voice scaled up an octave and squeaked. "Please tell me you're not that psyc-"
He leapt over the edge into open space. They hung in the air for the length of a breath before they began the downward plunge.
A scream ripped loose from Kagome's throat, followed by a string of creative but unintelligible curses. Tears squeezed out of the corners of her eyes as the walls blurred past her at an alarming speed. Wind howled mockingly through her ears and her life flashed before her eyes.
No! I still have so much to live for, she lamented. England and episode seven of Sherlock and Doctor Who and scones and Sherlock and chocolate and beating my high score on DDR ( I'll KILL Sota if he beats me...on second thought, maybe I'll haunt him)and did I mention Sherlock? She squinched her eyes up, bracing herself for the inevitable splat and light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.
Well, there are worse ways to die, she mused morbidly. I'd much rather go like this than be chomped by a shark or be poisoned or be eaten by giant pink spiders or be beaten to death by Barney-brainwashed toddlers. Hey, this is like those dreams people who are afraid of heights are supposed to have. Cool. If I close my eyes, it's kind of like that ride at Universal. You know, the one where they drop you down into a screaming plummet of certain DOOM only to pull out at the very last second? Man, I love roller coasters...I think I'm rambling. Where was I? Oh yeah. I'm about to meet a horrible, painful demise. Yippee. Is it too much to hope that his mangled and flattened corpse will break my fall?
She felt a small jolt.
...okay...where's the pain?...that was a very anticlimactic impact.
She peeled one eyelid open cautiously. They were at the bottom of the staircase in the center of a large circular open room with hallways shooting off in every direction. Somehow, they had broken their fall. And miraculously...weren't dead.
Well. That's a relief.
He started to move again and she let out a small 'eek!' and hid her face in his chest. She shook with leftover shock and fear. Inuyasha stroked her hair, calming her until the shivering stopped.
Realizing what she was doing, she quickly whipped her head away from him. Scowling, she pushed feebly at his chest. "Let me down. I can walk on my own."
"Nope. No can do," he returned cheerfully. "You'll try to run away again, and then I'll have the overwhelming urge to tackle you and ravish you mercilessly. So for the sake of your virtue, neither of us can get what we want." While her cheeks began to heat up again Kagome sulkily plotted various ways to exact her revenge. After a long pause, she gave in. "Fine. I promise not to run away. Now put me down...please?"
He grinned at her and gently set her on her feet. "Never underestimate the power of the magic word. Now come with me if you want your questions answered."
He began to lope down the hall again, albeit at a less...hastened pace than before. He obviously expected her to keep up. Kagome trailed along behind.
She observed the walls as they passed.
There were rich red and gold tapestries depicting an insignia of a crescent moon curving to frame around a silver dog. Embroidered black symbols crawled about the borders of tapestries. They almost appeared to move and change.
Between each tapestry, every hundred feet or so, jutted stone carvings of snarling dog heads that doubled as candleholders. Only...there were no candles. The flames burned and flickered silently within the dogs' jaws, illuminating their features eerily.
Mysterious doors and branching corridors vanished into the murk behind them.
After a time, they reached a set of arched wooden doors. Ornate familiar runes and intricate carvings of animals and other strange beasts covered the dark grain and segued into the carved vines set in the etching of the threshold. Gold lacquer glittered in the dips and crevices of the woodwork.
Chiseled in the handle of each door was a carefully detailed face – one with barely concealed anger and bloodlust twisting its perfect features, the other masked in a completely blank, chilling expression. On closer inspection, the face filled with rage resembled Inuyasha's.
Kagome took this all in in silent awe, and resolved to study the rest of the castle more closely. Something was odd…the door had a dull glow to it. Now that she thought of it, the whole castle gave off the same feeling, only less strongly. What is it? It's bothering me...I can't figure it out.
She started as, seemingly without prompt, the doors swung inward with a deep cre-e-e-e-ak. The chamber beyond was slowly revealed. He led her in.
The room was, if not overly large, plenty spacious, and not cluttered. The walls were draped with the same vibrant crimson tapestries arrayed in the hallways, with an exception – these weavings displayed a sequence of exquisitely rendered scenes, most prominently bloody battles. When she glanced at the wall coverings she noticed that not all of the portrayed figures were quite human.
In the center of the room sat a tasseled chaise lounge that looked like a dragon had tastefully vomited up velvety red organs in the semblance of pillows onto it, and a circular table with a glimmering spiral pattern inscribed in the dark teak-stained wood. Both were angled to face a wide mirror.
The mirror itself was an unremarkable rectangle -or so it seemed- but the wrought frame was inlaid with glistening mother of pearl and amber-tinted topaz and rubies that made Kagome think of Snow White. Even more intriguing, the mirror appeared to be actually set in the wall, like a large window.
They walked past the glass on their way to the couch and Kagome was unnerved to find that the mirror did not reflect either of their appearances; in fact, it looked as if it had fogged over. Except...the steam-like substance coating it was darker – like smoke.
She paused, and leaned in closer. The surface of the mirror stirred, and Kagome began to reach for it curiously. In a flash, Inuyasha had a hand clamped on her arm and was hauling her away from the entrancing looking-glass.
"Not yet, sweetheart. You don't know how to use that, and I don't want you getting yourself hurt."
He smirked, a bit condescending, and turned. He hadn't let go of her hand, so she was forcibly dragged to the couch.
She dug in her heels spitefully, but it didn't work. It just made her feet hurt.
Inuyasha practically threw her onto the cushions then flopped down beside her. "Now, where were we?"
Kagome eyed him suspiciously. "...you were molesting me and I was attempting to escape your fiendish clutches?"
Well, if you want, we can pick up where we left off..." he made as if to grab her with a joking leer.
She yelped and scootched back.
"Hands OFF! I don't know you, and I definitely don't trust you. For all I know you're a serial rapist. Keep your distance."
Inuyasha pouted. "Aw, mate, don't be like that. Besides, I'm not going to hurt you. I'd never do that." Kagome cocked her head, looking at him questioningly.
He smiled benevolently, and lay back. "Go ahead and ask your questions, mate. I'll answer them—but no more screaming," he warned. She nodded in acquiescence, and then opened her mouth.
"Where am I?"
Figure it's best to start with the basics.
He leaned forward, looking suspiciously pleased. "You're home."
Kagome stared deadpan at him. Okay, in case you really haven't noticed in the middle of your wild delusions, I'm Japanese. I live in Japan, not in the center of the freaking Arctic with some whacked-out weirdo-"
He pressed a hand over her mouth. "Enough with the venom, little viper! I didn't kidnap you, so just sit still and listen." Inuyasha waited, and then gingerly removed his hand once her lips were clamped shut.
"Okay, before I tell you where we are, you'll need to know some things. One of which – I'm a demon."
She stared at him, waiting for the punch line. Then it sunk in- he wasn't kidding. He really wasn't kidding. He was dead serious about this.
"A…demon?" her first inclination was to think he was COMPLETELY off his rocker. Then she considered it.
Well…it would explain some things. Namely those cute widdle puppy ears and the claws and fangs and eyes and hair color. Not to mention the apparent super speed…but a demon?
Click. "No, koi, not a torturing, drag-sinners-to-hell demon." A slow, salacious smile curled his lips. But by the time I'm through with you, you'll have 'sinned' so many times that you'd be fully eligible for that option. Torture will sound VERY good. Now Kagome was as far as possible from him and scrunched up so no part of her touched his sprawling form.
"We're more like the yokai in Japanese legend. Demons have been around for a long, long time, so naturally stories have sprung up and gotten twisted around over the centuries. We look a lot like humans, if we're strong enough, but it varies. We're faster, stronger, and less fragile than you puny (smirk) humans—with a few extra traits and abilities thrown in," he gestured to his ears. "Demons have a hierarchy – the most powerful down to the minor imps and sprites. At the very top are elemental spirits, then dragons, canine demons like myself, and demons that have control over certain elements of nature or other stuff. Below that are demons with small amounts of power that rely on trickery or enchanted objects, and the rest are all pests. Don't get any of the ranks or types mixed up – it's considered highly insulting to confuse demon clans. Oh, something you should remember – elementals and specific breeds of dragon aren't technically demons, so really the most powerful demons are the canines, particularly the inu-yokai, my clan."
He gazed up at the ceiling, seeming to deflate a bit. "I'm an inu-hanyou. Half demon, half human." He grew distant, and his hands clenched.
"Usually, half demons are at the bottom of the food chain, but some are powerful enough to be counted as full-blooded demon members of their clan. That's what happened to me. Because my father was a powerful demon, I was able to make my way using his influence and my own strength. But I had to fight my way to the top. Now I'm…fairly well know." His face twisted. "But it doesn't stop the discrimination."
She waited quietly. Then she asked gently, "And your mom…?"
He smiled grimly. "…was a human. Despised by humans for mating with a monster and giving birth to a monster. Hated by demons for being weak or treated with indifference. And as for me...her son..."
He trailed off. "She didn't care; she loved me all the same. But I was still a burden." His voice hardened to a bitter edge. "After all, half demons are lower than scum. It's gotten better in the past few hundred or so years, and people aren't so judgmental. We're actually treated with equality nowadays. Not that it matters. Demons have long memories, and aren't quick to forgive past wrongs."
She sensed this was on old wound for him, one that still ached. Perhaps too sensitive a subject to brush over now. So she changed tack.
"Okay, let's say I believe all of this…how come I don't see demons walking around on the street?"
He gratefully latched onto the subject. "Demons and humans don't always get along. A lot of humans enjoy the taste of human flesh, or like killing them; humans are just prey to them. And humans are afraid of everything different or that they don't understand. 500 years ago, tensions got so high that the clan leaders and the high council decided to leave in order to avoid bloodshed and a war that could potentially devastate the human race. Demons who still live here have to abide by certain rules; they wear concealment charms made by kitsune and tanuki to avoid attracting attention. Or they live somewhere with no humans, like me. But demons that live in secluded places are usually the most in contact with the others."
Kagome interrupted. "You say 'contact' and 'others'—where did the demons go?"
He smiled. "Here's where it gets complicated. Y'see, a few choice demons, enchanters, and elementals have the ability to travel between dimensions. The council recruited a few enchanters and had them open a mass portal to a new world of their choice, where they could live without being bothered by humans. After all the demons were through, they closed that portal. Actually, I think the ruins are still there. It's what you humans call Stonehenge."
"WHAT?" Kagome had heard of all the conspiracy theories – the structure was built by aliens; it was a giant sacrifice circle; even a memorable eclectic subscribed to the theory that it was a pizza place for underground fairies (A/N see Artemis Fowl series). She was reminded that her trip to England had been interrupted by a certain annoying and cryptic hanyou. Now she wasn't going to get to actually see Stonehenge, unless said hanyou took her on some freaky trip to this otherworld in an ancient ritual or something. Pshh. Yeah right. Like that could happen.
Now she was in a slightly foul mood. This did not bode well for the unfortunate hanyou's wellbeing. The sanctity of his ears may or may not be violated to appease her wrath.
"Now the only way we can get through to the other world is by mirror."
"Mirror?" Okay, this is bizarre, in a distinctly Lewis Carroll-y way. Where are a white rabbit and a giant chessboard when you need them? All joking aside, she remembered how strong a pull that the looking glass had on her. It had also glowed more strongly than anything else in the room, making her think there was some truth to what he was about to say.
"Yup. See that mirror over there? It's used as communication, I won't get into how, it's a bit difficult to explain; but it's also a door – a door into the world of demons. There are a few hundred portals scattered all over the world. This is one of a set of fi—four that directly link to one another. They're the most powerful mirrors in existence, and devilishly tricky devices. Did he seriously just use the word 'devilishly'? This is the only one on this plane – two are in the demon realm, and the other one…well, it's been missing for a while."
She got the feeling that he wasn't telling her everything – and she was absolutely sure he'd been about to say five mirrors. That left one unaccounted for. I'll wrestle it out of him later, she decided. She wanted to know everything. Knowing more would help her cope with the shock of so much she hadn't ever suspected about the world.
"So. You just walk into the mirror and come out someplace else?"
"Well, it's a little more complicated than that, but basically yeah."
"Wow…" she stared at the mirror.
"One more question – how did you get me here? Magical demon teleportation powers?"
"Nope. I ran."
"You…ran? For, what, however many miles in the blistering snow, in a blizzard, with below freezing temperatures, carrying me, at NIGHT?"
"Yup." He tapped a leg casually. "I'm a super-demon, remember. And I have to say, you didn't weigh all that much to begin with, and you were very…cooperative. You were all snuggled up to me too. If I wasn't such a good person, I might have taken advantage of you."
She glared at him as he snickered. "Jerk," she grumbled.
"Still, that's pretty unbelievable. How far did you run?"
"To answer your very first question exactly, we're 210 kilometers from the airport," he reeled off mechanically.
"We're in the range of mountains you saw when you stood outside the plane."
Her head whipped around. How does he know about that? she wondered, scrutinizing his smug expression.
Click. It's simple, mate. I could see everything you could from the second you stepped off that plane. Your sensations, your emotions, what you heard, what you thought…I knew it all. After all, we're connected, you and I. You are mine.
She jerked back, feeling his presence tear away with a shredding sensation. "H-how are you doing that? Why do you keep saying I'm yours?" She swallowed. "What's a mate?"
Inuyasha grinned darkly. "I'm so glad you asked that, mate," he purred. Moving closer, he explained. "In order to prevent demons from reproducing with every available member of the opposite sex, running rampant during mating season in spring or taking multiple consorts, the more sentient demons all have a predestined mate. Once a demon has met their mate, they're no longer attracted to anyone else, and they can't reproduce or have sex with anyone but their mate. To that end, it's extremely rare for demons to be born homosexual, 'cuz our whole purpose is basically to have kids.
"When a demon meets his true mate, he performs the mating ritual with her and they become full-fledged partners. If they don't, the demon can go insane or die.
"Demons can tell their true mate apart by their signature scent," he inhaled through his nose, "and how they can communicate through a mental bond with their mate. They can only do that well with their true mate and family. The difference is, a true mate will do this instinctively, but it's a learned behavior among family members and pack members." Since you're my mate, we can see each other's thoughts clearly, and if you want privacy, you can push me out. It's simple enough. Try to talk to me through the bond a little. With misgivings, Kagome reached out with her mind touching the warm presence hovering just within her range. Like this? She asked.
Yes. You can talk to me this way without other people hearing. His features darkened to a borderline bedroom expression. Which is good, because if other people could see what we see, they might not like what they see as much as we will. Some things are best kept private. He smirked. I think I'm going to enjoy this. I want to know how you feel when I undress you, lay you down on the bed and send you screaming into—
"Get out of my head!" she cried frantically, blushing. Riiip. His thoughtsdisappeared. She sighed with relief.
"Wait. You mentioned…scents? Like, how I smell?"
He gave her a look that clearly communicated that he thought that was a stupid question.
"Yes. Demons have heightened senses; especially canine and feline yokai. The person destined to be a demon's mate smells the most appealing to them. Everything smells bland compared to it. And you smell fucking incredible," he growled, taking another deep whiff; his eyes flashed blood red for a moment. Inuyasha moved suddenly, pinning her to the cushion beneath him. "It drives me crazy. You smell like vanilla and honeysuckle and strawberries. So pure…It makes me want to-"
"Stop! Don't touch me! Ack!" In her struggle to evade the amorous demon she fell off the couch bruising her back. "…Ow." She winced, her eyes watering with pain. She'd fallen twice now and it was really starting to ache.
Inuyasha slid off the couch to kneel beside her. "Koiishi, what's wrong? Show me where it hurts." His eyes searched her face, unhappy to see a small frown of pain furrow her brow. Click. He winced in sympathy and rubbed gently at the small of her back to ease the throbbing. His warm hands slowly quieted the pain to a dull murmur.
"Thank you, that's much better," she said, looking up at him gratefully.
"I aim to please." He gave her a genuine smile. Her heart thumped loudly, skipping a beat as their eyes met and held.
After a moment, he leaned over and gently kissed her forehead.
"You want me to get some ice for that? There's plenty of that around here," he joked. Then he stood, helping her to her feet. She gave him a hint of a smile, and shook her head. "No, I think I'm okay."
A pause.
She asked softly, "Why did you bring me here? If you had just told me…"
"…you would have thought I was a frostbitten crazy psycho," he finished.
Kagome muttered, "I'm still not sure I don't think you are…"
Inuyasha snickered. Then he grew serious. "I had to take the chance. I can't stay away from you, and I couldn't let you slip away." His eyes lingered on hers; then he looked away.
"Um…"
He scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I set up your clothes and stuff in a room down the hall from mine. You can stay there. If you want to take a bath or clean up there's a door in your room on the right when you walk in that leads down some stairs to the main bathroom. If you get hungry or need something, just ask me. If you get lost just find me through the bond and I'll come get you. I'll take you back now, if you want."
Inuyasha slipped his hand through hers, twining their fingers and tugging her along.
They backtracked and when they reached the staircase Inuyasha gently took Kagome in his arms and jumped straight up. This time, Kagome kept her eyes wide open. She became dizzy as the feeling of weightlessness increased and they accelerated toward the dark arching ceiling above. They whizzed past flight after flight of stone stairs and the walls stretched and distorted.
He said that demons are stronger than humans, but this…! This is incredible! She let out a small breathless laugh of wonder and his eyes flickered briefly to her smiling face.
They touched down lightly on the other side of the railing when their ascent slowed around the height of the landing. They almost overshot it entirely, which made Kagome suspect he was showing off—after all his bragging, he could certainly judge the landing precisely.
He put her down, and then walked a ways down the passage until they came to a small wooden door. It was unassuming and made of plain, pale wood. She got a pleasant feeling from this door – it was unlike the ostentatious glory of the ornamental tapestries and bric-a-brac, the intimidating dark-grained wood, or the stark stone walls. It felt…almost like home.
She opened the door and was delighted to find a small, cozy room painted soothing shades of blue and green. Nestled against the back wall was a little bed piled with fluffy pillows and a multicolored patchwork quilt. The floor had a fuzzy lavender rug carpeting it. It was welcoming and exactly what she needed after so much flaunting of wealth.
She turned to beam at him. "I really like it. Thank you!"
He smiled in return. "I thought you would. My mom did, too." He turned and walked away. "See ya,"he called over his shoulder. "Maybe I'll drop in for a bath with you," he cheerfully added and winked.
Going red, she shouted, "In your dreams!"
Oh, yes, mate, you will definitely be in my dreams tonight. Preferably screaming my name at the top of your lungs…
"Out!" she ordered. Riiip. Okay, maybe he wasn't such a nice guy – he was just a huge PERVERT.
She huffed and, grabbing a change of clothes, she stomped off down the flight of stairs to take a bath. Hopefully without him peeping on her.
Ha, ha, no lemon! Really, did you honestly think I'd do that? Not bloody likely. Viva la Feminism! We are strong and independent, and we shall not be ignored-(AG is stuffed into a bag by rabid Inukag fangirls and raging fluff/smut lovers) What shall become of her? Tune in next time on...Dr. Phil! Er, I mean Inuyasha!...wait. That's not right either. ARGH! Forget it, just review!