I Fell for Myself by Stella Mira

Guess I Have No Choice Then

Kagome's supplies had been depleted half-way back to the well. Miroku had proposed to venture into a human village to purchase basic supplies. Inuyasha had conceded after a simple sit command and was now waiting patiently beside Kagome at the outskirts of the village for their companions' return. All yōkai – not including Shippō and Kirara – had opted against stepping into the ningen village for obvious reasons. Kagome had been pacing, back and forth, racked with agitation.

"I hope nothing wrong happens."

"Keh, nothin' will happen, wench. Go chew some grass with the dragon or something and stop your whining." Clinging to his anger after that sit command, Inuyasha made for a grumpy company – and Kagome wasn't feeling gracious at the moment.

"Careful, Inuyasha. I think Au-Un would gladly chew on your ears – and I'm inclined to let him."

A nasal snort resounded. "If you're so damn worried about the asshole then just go stalk him already!" The hanyō then walked away with a barrage of curses.

Kagome paced for a while longer, but her worry only grew as more time passed and her pack did not return. Half-impatient, half-relieved, she gave in, headed towards the village, however surreptitiously. Hiding in a dark alley, the miko suppressed her yōki to the lowest level possible then scented the air, searched for her companions. It appeared they had decided to split to procure the needed items more swiftly. Trusting Miroku and Sango to be fine on their own since they were adept in dealing with such matters, she focused her attention on Sesshōmaru. It was the right decision. Time and again, she witnessed a most appalling occurrence. Several males tried to proposition the daiyōkai with lewd suggestions – and more. Kagome should have accounted for this complication, should have warned Sesshōmaru beforehand, but she had forgotten about it. Inuyasha usually accompanied her when they entered a human village. It lessened such gestures from males – but the hanyō wasn't here now. Kagome was.

Cold glares would deter most, but not all, certainly not the bolder and raunchier of the bunch – and Sesshōmaru wasn't particularly intimidating in his female guise. Kagome watched the various scenes unfold, half-amused, half-irritated, until one of them dared to lay his dirty hands on Sesshōmaru. The human was tall, bulky, with short, spiky hair, seemingly accustomed on having his way with women – and being rough while doing so. Sesshōmaru had not taken his sword either. His attire alone drew enough unwanted attention as it was. Kagome would have to intervene – Miroku and Sango were far away by this time.

Guess I have no choice then. She sprang into action. In less than a second, the man's filthy hand was clasped in her leaden grip and Sesshōmaru released.

"What's a damn yōkai doing in a ningen village? The whore is mine, so back off!" Uncivilized, heavy-accented, the ruffian barked and glared at Kagome – but then he licked his lips, dragged his beady eyes over Kagome's body, and clutched his groin with emphasis. "Heh, now that I have a better look, you're a pretty boy if I've ever seen one. How about it? Wanna have some fun with me and the wench? I'll treat you real good…"

Blood seethed, circulated like hot lava, rang in Kagome's ears – then the crude sound of bones breaking, human shrieks, rage and agony. When Kagome spoke, her voice had lowered to mere rumbles, animal-clad, visceral articulation.

"Never appear before me again, scum. I will not be as merciful next time. Dare to touch my woman again and I will kill you in the most gruesome of ways."

The burly man scampered away, cradling his injured wrist, but Kagome's mind was in conflict. Instincts warred with logic, wrecked havoc inside her veins. She wanted to give chase, maim the man – but she also needed something else. The scent of woman alloyed with the word mine, urged her to seek, to take, to –

Her arm coiled, shackled the source of that fragrance, brought it close, much too close – and she inhaled. It didn't matter, nothing mattered, nothing but the woman, warm skin under her tongue, against her teeth, pulsing and burning and –

"Miko."

The scent was speaking, vibrations on the flat of her tongue, desirous. One long, sultry lick, Kagome swallowed the words, laved their sweetness, tasted the heat of woman and wetness.

"You can –" Words, sliding on her palate, tangling with her tongue. "– stop scent-marking me if –" Teeth grazed against soft, sleek muscle, sank into lips, savored the nectar dwelling inside. "– you have calmed down."

Blood welled, glided down her throat, awakened her – blood! Gods, what am I – what…

"Inuyōkai instincts." Melting against her lips, the answer was husky, seared her flesh – and she stepped back, relinquished her hold on – Sesshōmaru... What have I done?