Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page
Search the Web

Chapter 20: Basic Needs

From the moment consciousness took hold of him again, Inuyasha was intensely aware of the warm softness in his arms and the sweet scent that filled his nostrils. It was Kagome, pure and simple--her touch, her scent, her very aura. It surrounded him as he lay warm and content beside her. For the first time, a night of horror dreams had not left him weak and drained come morning.

Slowly, his sleepy eyes fluttered open. He truly did not expect to see Kagome's slumbering face inches from his own. Shocked, he uttered a tiny, breathless yelp and pulled away, but found his backward process halted by the fact that his arms were wrapped around her, her arms were wrapped around him, and her sleeping bag was around them both.

Tremblingly nervous, he had to slow down and assess the situation. They were both still clothed--thank God--and Kagome didn't appear injured at all. In fact, she looked very peaceful there next to him. Carefully, he extricated his arms from about her, thankful that he hadn't been touching any sensitive places. Just as carefully, he pried her grip off of him and drew himself out from under cover. For a minute, he just sat there dumbly, wondering what to do next.

Inuyasha knew that Kagome had somehow, impossibly, helped him through last night's terrors. There was no other explanation for her presence, and for his feelings of peace despite his nightmares. Her voice...he remembered her sweet tones, speaking to him from out of the agony, reaching him from beyond it. He couldn't make out what she said, only that she was there, just beyond the curtain of blood and pain. She had somehow pulled him through, like a hand reaching down into that watery hell-hole full of rats and lifting him up into warm arms.

Involuntarily, a tender smile stole over his lips. Gently, he tucked the mussed sleeping bag back around her, making sure she was warm in the cool dawn air. He stopped his fingers just millimeters short of smoothing her bangs or touching her forehead, and instead settled for abashedly brushing a lock of her hair with the feathery lightness of one finger. He glanced around, embarassed; Kaede was nowhere to be seen and Shirokiba's scent, though present, was many hours old. No one else was there.

What a precious girl, he thought as he again watched Kagome sleep. She did that for me...she pulled me out...she saved me from my own darkness. I never realized how much I need her.

When the memories encroached, thoughts of her could drive them back. His mind was already busily supressing the memories dredged up last night, so unless he actively thought about it they would not return except in dreams. And he never tried to think about it--he just focused on Kagome.

I need her like I've never needed anything, Inuyasha realized. What would I do without her? Oh, Kagome, I need you...please don't ever leave...

Suddenly grimacing, Inuyasha scolded himself for being sappy. Of course she had to leave--she was supposed to leave this evening. She had her own home and family to go to. He would have to survive without her until she found some time to return. Frowning, he rose from her side, and with one last regretful glance at the sleeping girl, he headed outside into the gray dawn light.

Kagome had to go home, he reminded himself firmly as he headed for the woods. She was going back to her school and tests and friends. She was going back to her normal, happy life far away from demons and monsters and shards. She was going back where Hojo could reach her. The thought of the human boy made him rumble softly--but what could he do? Hang about her like a bodyguard and growl at other males? In his time it worked, but in hers...she would be furious, and people would freak.

And besides, he'd promised himself that no matter how much it hurt, he and Kagome must remain just friends. He couldn't stand having her hurt or killed because of him, like Kikyo had been. It was better that Kagome find a nice, polite, friendly human boy to date, rather than a scruffy, uncouth, half-breed dog-demon. She and Inuyasha could stay friends, and Kagome could settle down and get married to Hojo or whoever, and never have Naraku and other bastards like him chasing her because of Inuyasha.

He could live with that. He would live with that.

Even though it made him feel sick...even though it made his heart hurt so bad...

Later that morning, as Kagome trotted towards her rendezvous with Shirokiba, she reflected that she knew she would not find Inuyasha beside her when she awoke. She couldn't help but feel disappointed, though she knew he rose with the sun most mornings and was active long before she woke up. She sort of...missed having his warm, strong form curled up beside her when she awoke in the morning.

Once again, she wondered what Shirokiba was calling her out to talk about. The wolf-dog demon had indicated some surprise about something last night, when she'd managed to calm Inuyasha during his horrible dreams. He'd seemed fairly determined to speak to her, so when she awoke she joined Kaede and Sango for breakfast at a neighbor's, then headed for the forest. Inuyasha was nowhere around, so she could only hope he wasn't following her. Shirokiba wanted to see her in private.

Kagome shook her head in confusion and kept walking, right up to the base of the tree she sought. It was a gnarled old tree a few yards from the God-Tree. "Shirokiba?" she called up into the branches. "Shirokiba, are you here?" She felt his presence, chilly and demonic, filling the grove.

"Finally decided to come, little girl?"

Kagome gasped and jumped around. The voice came from right behind her--and there stood the wolf-dog demon, his blue-gold eyes impassively staring at her. For a while, all she could do was stare back, her throat dry and her mouth working.

Shirokiba rolled his eyes. "Relax, girl, I'm not going to eat you."

"Um, Shirokiba...I c-came like you wanted."

"Yes. Thank you."

"A-about Inuyasha...?"

"Come with me." Before she could protest, Shirokiba had scooped her up and was flying through the air--or so it seemed. In one breathless moment, he had bourne her to the upper branches of the tree, where sat a comfortable nest of boughs. He set her down on the springy platform and stood back, looking amused at her wide-eyed expression. They were so high she dared not look down.

Shirokiba sat down on the branch across from her, folded his arms, and gazed at her for a long time. Then he chuckled shortly, grinned, and winked at her. "So, would you like me to help you hook yourself a dog-demon?"

"Huh?" Kagome blushed furiously and twiddled her hands, unsure of what to say. "Well..."

"I called you out here because, against my better judgement, I'm going to try to play matchmaker." This Shirokiba was a far cry different from the saddened, vulnerable one who'd spoken from his heart about Inuyasha last night.

Kagome stared. "M-matchmaker? Wh-what--?"

Shirokiba cut her off. "Look, I don't exactly approve of human-demon pairings, but I approve even less of Inuyasha going with Ginnezu. Ginnezu's been pulling some low-down dirty tricks that I never taught Inuyasha about, and I don't appreciate her using his ignorance against him. She's been far too forceful with him and she's upsetting his balance more than anything else right now. I need something to keep Inuyasha from being manipulated by her. I'm going to use you to even the score a bit."

"L-let me get this straight," Kagome tried again. She didn't exactly like the idea of being used like a pawn in the demon's plans. "You called me out here to ask for help because you don't want Ginnezu to seduce Inuyasha?"

"Yes. You're going to be the one seducing him, instead of her."

Kagome gasped and became very pale. "M-me? S-s-seduce...?" She swallowed and got her tongue back. "I am not that kind of girl, Shirokiba!"

"I don't mean the same kind of seducing that Ginnezu's doing." The half-wolf dog-demon regarded her amusedly, one eyebrow cocked. Little girl, he's already so in love with you it's pathetic. Getting the rest in line should be easy. "She just wants physical posession and a good roll in the hay. I think you appreciate him for a little more than that, don't you?"

"I...I guess." Kagome was terribly embarassed but she carefully hid the intrigued little glimmer in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I want him to pay more attention to you, girl, so he's not stuck with Ginnezu crawling on him all the time." Shirokiba took a deep breath. "Isn't a bit of affection from him what you want?"

She didn't reply.

Shirokiba sighed. "Alright, help me build a base, here. Has he made any overtures? Anything specific you could tell me? Anything he's done that's seemed odd to you? I need you to tell me so I know where to start."

Kagome was blushing red--and she probably would be the entire time. "Well...not really. I mean, he's done some little things for me like bring food, give me rides, go swimming with me--he's even slept next to my sleeping bag every night since we went out last. But nothing really big. Um...one odd thing was...he did bite me on the nose once, during a...difficult situation."

"I see. He's already claimed you. Well, it makes the rest easier."

"I...claimed me...?" Kagome looked puzzled.

"Well, he's made one overture already, and you didn't understand him. You need to try to communicate what you feel in ways he will understand very clearly." Shirokiba folded his arms and thought for a minute. "I want you to be the one to do this, because you're the only one available and you're the only female he really trusts."

Kagome nodded faintly, hesitant. "If I agree to this--and that's if, remember--what are you going to want me to do?"

"You're going to be his," Shirokiba replied simply, pinning her with his blue-gold gaze. "This isn't going to be easy. Some of this might even frighten you, girl. I'm going to be frank with you."

Kagome's eyes widened. "Um...okay." She seemed very reluctant, yet...intrigued and interested.

"Good." The halfling demon jumped right in. "Inuyasha's already made some moves on you, in his own way. He protects you from harm, he guards you from the approach of other males, he brings you food--and he's even marked you. For you to begin, you should let Inuyasha be the alpha instead of you."

"Excuse me?" Kagome looked confused. She was still a bit miffed that Shirokiba was practically ordering her to pursue Inuyasha. "What do you mean?"

"Your group of friends," Shirokiba explained, a bit exhasperated, "is like a pack to him. Right now, you're the alpha--the leader--of the pack. Let him take that role from now on."

"But--!"

"This isn't a matter of female pride, girl," Shirokiba interrupted. "That will give him more confidence when dealing with you. He'll feel stronger--and that in itself will help him when dealing with both Ginnezu and his nightmares."

"But he's such a--"

"Let him have the little things, girl," Shirokiba chuckled. "Once he thinks he's the alpha, in the big matters you can speak and he'll listen to you--don't worry. And besides, he may be a rough, green kid, but he's actually got his father's head for leadership. Let him try."

"Uh, okay," Kagome aceded reluctantly.

Shirokiba leaned back. "You can also be more demure, and that'll get him interested."

"How?"

"Being a bit more submissive is a way of appearing feminine to a dog-demon," the wolf-dog explained. "At first, when it's just the two of you and you're talking, don't make eye contact until he invites you to; keep your eyes down. He'll get concerned and wonder why, but it'll get him to notice you're deferring to him."

"Will he notice?"

"Oh, he will--after he gets over the surprise," Shirokiba replied. "At first, you might find him acting a bit imperious around you--sitting up straighter, being more agressive and strong-willed. Then he'll get a bit more posessive about you; you'll probably see him hovering around more, and being more concerned and jealous."

"He's already bad that way," Kagome admitted softly.

"It's because he already likes you," the wolf-dog informed her frankly. "It's just a part of what he is."

She blushed more. "You sound like you know everything about what he wants in a girl," she got up the nerve to say.

Shirokiba shrugged. "I don't know everything about what he wants--but I do have some experience in what dog-demons like in general. After all, I am a dog-demon...at least by half."

"So...um...what will he like?"

"A spirit similar to his own," the wolf-dog replied quickly. "Physical traits don't matter so much; it's more the mind that holds fascination. But there are physical things to consider."

Kagome only stared at him with wide eyes.

"To any canine-based demon breed, scent is vitally important," Shirokiba said, his tone as precise as though he were reading the information from a textbook. "Your scent is replete with information that you as a human have no concept of. Don't wear perfume--Inuyasha is more attracted to your body's natural scent than to synthetics, like human males are. Wearing false smells will only cover up your own body's invitations. He can discern many things about you by your scent alone; your gender, your approximate age, your physical condition, even your emotions, to a degree. Your scent betrays your body's deepest secrets; it can even tell him the precise details of almost any of your body's natural occurences."

"So he'd...he'd know if...?"

"If you were in your woman's time of renewal, if you were receptive to him, if you were fertile at the time, if you were pregnant...he would know."

Kagome gulped, staring.

Shirokiba nodded to himself, seeing her comprehension. "He can read you like a book with only one of his senses, to say nothing of the other six."

"Six? I thought there were only five senses."

"For humans, maybe, but not demons. We have senses of taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing, instinct, and energy. Seven in all, and each one quite useful."

"I...see." Kagome hunched her shoulders a bit. Some of the things Shirokiba said sounded just plain embarassing to her--Inuyasha would really know if she were on her monthly cycle? God, that was humiliating! Stuff like that was supposed to be private!

"When it's quiet, he can hear your heartbeat from several yards away," Shirokiba continued. "It helps him read your mood; if you two were closer, he might be able to sense your emotions if you were in near enough proximity. You have to realize this, Kagome--we demons have senses humans can't even dream about. Inuyasha is aware of you on levels that you can't understand."

"What am I supposed to do about all this?" Kagome said, her voice sounding meek and squeaky. It was all so complicated and confusing...and just a bit frightening. She was scared to refuse Shirokiba--she still wasn't quite sure about him.

"Just what I've told you," Shirokiba replied. "It's what will level the playing field. You'll know how to do what Ginnezu can do--and because he trusts you, it'll work much better."

"What will he do?" She was nervous--it was all so much, so fast! Shirokiba was giving her a crash course in dog-demon courtship, and she wasn't sure if she could handle it. She wasn't sure if she wanted to handle it.

"As soon as he is sure he's the dominant male, he'll probably begin to initiate more intimate physical contact," Shirokiba went on with doctor-like candor. "In fact, you might want to be careful just how dominant you let him be; let him know where your boundaries are and keep things slow at first. He'll gradually get bolder, and you can invite him to be closer if you want to."

Kagome folded her hands in her lap, somewhat resigned. "Is there something specific about that, too? What's your orders on that one, oh captain?"

"You're too smart for your own good, kid," Shirokiba replied ruefully. "Oh, well... If you're sitting together, keep your head and eye level below his and lean toward him a bit. If you're reclining, stay on your back and let him remain above you."

Kagome was still dazed by all the information. "That's...that's...complicated."

"It's all body language." Shirokiba shrugged. "I'm just trying to help you get to him; if you want to, you can force his instincts to respond to you, even if his mind is hesitant."

"How...how can I do that?" Kagome stuttered. She was terribly embarassed to ask but just too curious not to. Shirokiba's lecture had sparked a piece of her imagination she hadn't known existed. She could have power over Inuyasha--power like Ginnezu had, not just the Sit. The power of a woman--a real woman, not a girl.

"Remember when he bit you?" Shirokiba said. "From what you said before, that was a controlling bite--he was trying even then to say, 'I'm the alpha; obey me.' But a gentle nip in the same place can mean the same as a kiss to a male dog-demon."

Kagome blushed anew. "R-really?"

Shirokiba chuckled at her embarassment. "Once you've got the physical contact part down, you can start to get more 'snuggly.' But you're already pretty snuggly, from what I've seen."

Kagome looked down. Having Shirokiba comment on the way she'd held Inuyasha last night was intensely embarassing, to say the least.

"Do you want to know what he probably likes?"

"Uh..." Kagome diverted her eyes to the floor, wringing her hands.

Shirokiba smiled gently at her while she wasn't looking at him, but his face returned to its frankly amused mask when she glanced at him. She was quite a trooper, this little human girl. The fact that she wasn't intensely resisting him betrayed that she was intrigued by the information. "He likes his ears rubbed," he said simply. "Even I know that from when he was a kid."

"I know..."

"Uh-huh." The wolf-dog grinned. "Then there's his head and neck--he'll like getting petted there. I'll bet he just loved it when you brushed his hair for him."

"Oh..."

"It's a wonderful relaxer--puts him right to sleep, doesn't it?" Shirokiba chuckled. "And if he's even half the canine I am, his chest and belly are sensitive; he'll love it if you touch him there."

"Oh." Kagome reddened.

"And your hands will be the most pleasurable of all." Shirokiba got a sly look. "Just a finger or two into the chest fold of his kimono, tickle his fur a bit, and he'll be clay in your hands."

Kagome actually giggled while she blushed.

"And...I suppose whatever you do for human boys would work, too--he's half human, after all. You're on your own in that area."

"Oh...okay." Except I don't know much about that, either. I've never even kissed a boy!

"Oh--one more thing. You can give him a signal that will be completely impossible to ignore; a female dog-demon would know what to do by instinct--Ginnezu sure as hell did--but you're just a human so I guess I'll have to tell you straight out."

Kagome looked up at him shyly. "What?"

"That whole 'bite-on-the-nose' thing? Well, that's his signal of posession. If you want to tell him in no uncertain terms that you're his, and you're accepting him, you can return the gesture."

"Well, I don't know if...but..."

"Bite him back."

"Huh?"

"Like Ginnezu did at the river--that's what I mean."

"Oh...!"

Shirokiba laughed outright at the absolutely shocked look on her face. "Well, I guess you don't have to do it exactly the way we do, but...the key spot is his chin and jaw. Put your teeth there gently, or at the very least kiss him there. That's a big, flashing torch beacon to him that he won't ignore--even if he doesn't really know what it means."

"How do I know...if I'm...if he's...ready?"

"Get close to him," Shirokiba replied. "Let him hold you; let him make moves without getting angry with him. You can see if he believes in you enough to continue--nuzzle his throat, and he'll let you if he really trusts you. It's a vulnerable area; to the instincts of a dog-demon he's letting you get your fangs near his weak spot. That can be your test."

"I understand...I think," Kagome whispered. "It's trust."

"It's all about trust," Shirokiba said. "Remember, he's a dog-demon; you're dealing with a predator, a dangerous creature who has lived his entire life solo. To survive, he's remained vicious and untrusting of everyone around him--you've seen it. You've got to be able to earn his complete trust in order for him to open up to you. It's something Ginnezu can never do--which is why you're going to win this."

"But...he's also human..." Kagome tried.

"That's true," Shirokiba replied. "It's what's made him become kind and trusting so much faster."

"Inuyasha's...kind and trusting?" Kagome said disbelievingly.

"For him, yes. It's amazing how much he's improved--it must be since you've been with him. When he was living with me, he was surly and ill-mannered once he got over his injuries from Sesshomaru--just like I told you. Now he's even pleasant to be around...relatively. He's more open and actually friendly. In the river with you...it was the first time I'd ever seen him smile like that. His shadows were gone for a minute."

"I hope I've been able to help him...even a little."

"Believe me, you have." Shirokiba glanced at the sky through the branches. "Well, I've probably told you way more than you ever wanted to know, little girl. But it's necessary for what I want you to do."

"What if...what if I don't want to?"

Shirokiba regarded her evenly with those piercing gold-blue eyes. "Really, girl? You really don't want to?" His voice was slightly sarcastic. "I think I know better. Besides, you aren't really in a position to disagree."

Kagome gulped and looked down. "I'll think about it."

"You'll do more than that if you want Ginnezu to lose miserably," Shirokiba retorted. He stood up, balancing effortlessly on the branch. "You've been here long enough. Inuyasha's likely to come try and track you down if you're missing too long. You should head back."

"Okay." Kagome rose, and Shirokiba took her into his arms and dropped through the branches with her. He set her lightly on her feet in the grass.

"There you go. You'll have some time when you return to your world to think about this. I want you to decide to do as I've told you," the wolf-dog said meaningfully, his voice rumbling just a bit. "I don't want Inuyasha hurt because of Ginnezu's thoughtless selfishness. Be ready to begin as soon as you return--and I hope you return quickly."

"Shirokiba, thank you for...telling me all that," she said softly, daring to touch his arm. He looked at her through the dappled shade of the forest light. "I know you care a lot about Inuyasha and...I'd really like to help him. I just don't know if I'm ready to go so far."

"You're a good kid. If you weren't hesitant, I wouldn't trust you with him. I'm sure you'll know how to handle it."

"I...I hope so," Kagome aceded.

"Inuyasha's a lucky mutt," the wolf-dog demon said firmly. "He's a good boy, even if he is pretty rough around the edges. I'm just sorry I've got to give you such a kick in the pants to make you go for it--and I admit to being completely selfish with this plan. I know it's going to be hard on you, but I'm more concerned with Inuyasha. I want him to have what he wants." He paused, and gazed at her, a wistful half-smile touching his features. "You're a beautiful girl, Kagome, and damn decent for a human. You know, I'd almost think of having you for myself if you didn't already belong to my best friend."

Kagome blushed for what felt like the millionth time that morning. "I don't belong to him--not yet."

Shirokiba chuckled and tweaked her nose. "Silly girl. You were his the moment he marked you--even if neither of you knew it. Even that bastard Sesshomaru would respect that. A male's claim is sacred--among the Dogs, not even the lowest of them would touch you. Especially since you belong to Inuyasha."

Kagome only stared at him, eyes wide.

Shirokiba grinned predatorily. "Go on, human. Get lost before I get hungry," he threatened. But his eyes remained good-natured. He nudged her in the direction of the village. "Tell Inuyasha hello for me--and keep this conversation between us."

"Uh...ah...okay. Goodbye, Shirokiba."

"See you around, priestess-girl."

Kagome turned and hurried away, her mind full of whirling thoughts and emotions that were both eager and hesitant. Shirokiba's idea was actually exciting. Armed with her new information, she felt...charged, as if she had the power now to actually fight Ginnezu. It would be her own way to strike back at the arrogant female dog-demon. She could drive Ginnezu right out of Inuyasha's life without ever touching her. She actually managed a grin--maybe Shirokiba's plan wasn't so bad. After all, she knew how much she cared about Inuyasha. She could sacrifice a little pride to help him.

Watch out, Ginnezu, she thought with an shyly eager smile. Here I come!

It would be an unforgettable battle.

To be continued...