Striking A Deal

A/N:Happy New Year, everyone. I hope that you guys have fun and be safe. Now that I am done making nice(must be the holiday spirit, LOL) I have to say that I don't own IY. A sneak peek at next chapter: Kagome makes a decision. Just read this chapter to find out what decision she must make.
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As Kouga ran back to the woods, his youkai had totally engulfed his senses, and rendered him unable to think of anything else other than getting his injured mate from her attacker. Even though he had not marked Kagome, all his youkai needed was a glimpse of his beloved calling for him to trigger his youkai and Kanna had provided that.

His face now took on a wild look, telling all wildlife around, that it was not wise to mess with him at the moment. He could smell the camp near and he flexed him claws, now sharper and deadlier than ever. He would not be denied. He would have his Kagome and he would make her his.
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Sesshomaru looked up from Kagome, who lay nestled in his embrace. She had woken up for a short time and allowed him to give her a sip of water before sub coming to sleep once again. She had stared at him and then the tears had come. He had caused this pain for her. He angrily had shoved the notion that he, Sesshomaru, never felt guilt at his actions, he did. He felt extreme guilt at what he had done. He now had to figure out how to make it up to her. The wound in her side had finally stopped bleeding, but it would be a while before she could continue on the quest. Sesshomaru had made up his mind to take her home so that she could recover in luxury and comfort.

He quickly realized that the forest was quiet, something that was not natural. His youkai senses perked when he felt the power of a youkai nearby. From what he could tell, the youkai was powerful and heading straight for them. Sesshomaru eased Kagome out of his lap and onto her sleeping bag. He stood up and walked over to where he had lain his swords.

He was too late. Just as he bent over to pick up tokijin, he was slammed to the ground from behind. When he rolled away and looked up, he was face-to-face with a seriously pissed off Kouga.

"You"�. keeping me from mate"�. die!!!!"� Kouga screamed as his claws flew in the air, connecting with Sesshomaru's shoulder.

The taiyoukai winced as the wolf's claws dug into him, but managed to stay on his feet. He stumbled back and yelled at Miroku to keep the pups away from the camp. Kouga swiped at him again, this time getting him across his chest. Blood spilled everywhere, covering the ground.

Sesshomaru could see that Kouga was too far gone to listen to reason. He knew that the wolf had submitted to his youkai, and would be a deadly threat to the group if allowed to survive.

He pushed the angered wolf away from him, and yanked his sword up. He pointed it at where Kouga had stood, only to find that Kouga was no longer there. Neither was Kagome.

Sesshomaru looked around frantically and realized that while he was trying to come up with a strategy, Kouga had taken Kagome and fled with her. He could feel his wounds closing and heard Miroku explain to Sango what had happened. The monk suggested that she take the pups back to the stream and stay there until he came to get them. After sending his beloved and the children away, the monk cautiously approached him.

"Lord Sesshomaru. What happened?"� Miroku asked, still dazed by the sudden attack.

"Lord Kouga's youkai is in charge now. My guess, he came across that damn hell spawn and was shown something to upset him into losing control. He has Kagome, and will more than likely try to claim her before the night is over."� Sesshomaru said, gathering up his armor. "I am going after them."�

"But shouldn't you wait for Inu Yasha? He knows Kouga and his habits. He can be of great aid in helping to find Kagome."� Miroku said.

Sesshomaru shook his head. "I don't have time to waste. Tell the half-breed to catch up to me, I am going to go on ahead. I know the layout of this area well, I will be fine on my own. Get my pups back to camp, and to bed. Don't tell them what happened."�

Miroku sighed and nodded. He watched as the taiyoukai left for the woods. He prayed that once he found Kouga and Kagome, he would show mercy. If Kouga was being controlled, then he was not responsible for his actions.
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Kouga's youkai roared with happiness. He had taken his mate back and was now trying to find suitable accommodations to claim his beloved and allow them to rest for the night. He looked down into his arms and could only think that he had made a wise decision in choosing her as his mate. She was beautiful and strong. Good hearted and powerful. Loving and compassionate. Yes, she was the perfect bitch for him.

He ran fast, and finally came to a small waterfall that he knew to have a small cave behind it. He darted through the water and found himself surrounded in darkness. He allowed his eyes to adjust and sniffed. There was nothing in the cave to threaten him or his woman, so he would be able to take her without interruptions. He walked to the back of the cave and eased her to the ground. He ripped off his clothing, then proceeded to do the same with Kagome's. When she was nude before him, he bent over her and sniffed at her wound. He could smell the fresh blood, and he could tell that the wound had reopened as he ran. He took the bandages off and brought his mouth to the injury. His tongue darted out and he licked at the wound, closing his eyes and savoring the taste of her blood. He purred, happy that she tasted so good and sweet. She would be his greatest possession. He reached down and pulled her thighs apart, laying between then to get in a better position so that he could have access to her wound. His youkai needed to heal her, to take care of her so that he could properly mate with her and not hurt her further. With each stroke of his tongue, a moan escaped from Kagome's lips. He growled in response, aware that she was awakening, and knew from the slight scent of arousal coming from her body, that his ministrations were pleasing to her and soothing her pain. When he was satisfied that he had cared for her wound properly, he moved from the wound and went up to her neck. The feeling of her legs against his hips made his youkai want to take her quickly, but somewhere in the muddled mind of Kouga, he knew that it would be better for her if he showered her with affection before creating the pact with her. His lips grazed the skin of her neck, traveling up past her jaw and finally, his lips met with hers. He thrilled at her taste and allowed his tongue to sweep into her mouth, tasting every single inch of her hot cavern, delighting in the fact that he was finally experiencing what it was like to kiss his woman. He would have continued if his keen senses had not picked up on an approaching youkai.
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Sesshomaru had picked up their trail and followed it. He knew this area well. As a pup, he and his mother would come and sit for hours at the lake, watching the waterfall and listening to her wonderful stories about his father. He stopped when he came to the lake. Looking around, he made sure to sniff the air. His eyes narrowed when he realized that Kouga's scent stopped at the edge of the lake. Sesshomaru growled. He raced through the waterfall and into the cave. He heard a feral growl and knew that he had found his prey.

"Come out and fight me, wolf. I will take my mate back, and leave you to your death."� Sesshomaru snarled.

Kouga got up from between Kagome's legs. He heard her groan and looked down at her form. She looked at peace. He looked to where he knew Sesshomaru was standing. With a growl, Kouga ran towards the taiyoukai. Grabbing the demon lord, he flung both of them out of the cave and into the lake. Both demon males snarled and snapped at each other with their fangs. Circling the other, both males sized up their competition. Where Sesshomaru had the size and strength, Kouga had speed and agility. Soon, both males were clawing at each other and trying to gain an advantage over the other. Blood flowed in the lake as the males injured the other, and finally, a howl was heard in the night.
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Inu Yasha cursed as he ran through the night. Miroku had told him what had happened and he ran after his enraged brother. He knew that if Sesshomaru got his claws on Kouga, then there would be one less wolf in the world. He stopped when he heard the howl of triumph, but he could not tell if it came from Sesshomaru or Kouga. He followed his brother's and Kouga's scents and finally came to a stop at a large lake. Sesshomaru was sitting on the bank, with Kouga laying beside him.

"Please tell me you did not kill him."� Inu Yasha said as he approached his brother.

"He is not dead. I merely knocked him out."� Sesshomaru replied.

Inu Yasha looked around. "Where is Kagome?"�

"She is in the cave behind the waterfall. I will get her. Take Kouga back to camp and keep him there. His injuries are not life-threatening and he will be back to normal in the morning."� Sesshomaru said.

Inu Yasha nodded and bent over to pick up the naked wolf demon off of the ground. "Ugh, I hate how he smells. I hope no one mistakes me for a wolf by the scent that will be sticking to me."�

"Just go. Give him to the slayer and then take a bath."� Sesshomaru said as he stood up.

He watched as Inu Yasha carried Kouga away and then he went back into the cave. He could hear Kagome's soft breaths, and he slowly approached her. With his eyes adjusting, he looked down on her form. Her nude body took his breath away as he stared at her. He heard her take in a deep breath and then gasp. His love was awake.

"Kagome. Calm down. You are safe."� Sesshomaru said, in a soft voice.

"Where am I?"� Kagome asked. She was scared. Why was it so dark?

"You are in a cave and know that I will allow no one to harm you."� Sesshomaru told her. He took off his armor and laid in down on the ground. He took off his haori and was about to put it on her when he heard her softly crying.

"Kagome. Please don't cry."� Sesshomaru said, sitting down next to her.

"I just want to go home. I don't want to do this anymore. I am so tired of being hurt."� Kagome sobbed.

Sesshomaru's heart constricted. He leaned over and wrapped her in his arms. He brought his nose down into her hair and took in her calming scent. He felt so lost. He really had no experience in soothing others. Well, here went nothing.

"Kagome, I have no excuse for anything that I said or did. I regret every single word and I do claim you as my mate. I know that my words cut you deeply, and I wish to make it up to you. I was not honest when I yelled at you, and I was under the impression that you had betrayed me. I know that you believe that Sango and I are involved, but know that it is not true. You are the only woman that holds this Sesshomaru's heart. I will allow no other into my bed and will accept no other as my mate."� Sesshomaru told her.

Kagome stilled in his arms. She began to recall what had happened. That little girl of Naraku's had shown her images, but when she had started to question them, Kikyo had appeared. She stiffened in Sesshomaru's arms.

"What is wrong, Kagome. Tell me what you are thinking about."� Sesshomaru demanded.


"Kikyo. She was there. She and that little girl. Kikyo is the one who stabbed me."� Kagome said quietly.

Sesshomaru felt his body shake with rage. How dare that bitch try and hurt his beloved mate. He then felt a soft hand upon his cheek.

"I know that you and Sango did nothing. I don't blame you for what happened."� Kagome told him.

Sesshomaru felt his body relax out of relief. She did not blame him. He was so thankful, but he wondered why she wanted to go home. Did she want to forget the mission and assume her role as lady of the west?

"Kagome. What did you mean that you wanted to go home? Do you want to give up the quest and go back to the western palace?"� Sesshomaru asked.

"No, I meant that I want to go back to where I came from. I am so confused as to what is going on. I just want"�"� Kagome trailed off.

"What do you want, Kagome."� Sesshomaru asked.

She gave him a sheepish smile. "I just want my mom."�

"I, sometimes, want my mother as well. She obviously brings you much comfort. But, please look to me for your comfort. I can promise you that you will never go through the hell that you have just been put through. I will be strong enough for both of us. This Sesshomaru swears."� Sesshomaru told her.

Kagome gave a small sigh and cuddled up to him. He leaned down and inhaled her scent. He frowned. He could not smell his scent in hers. He missed that unique scent. He glanced down and wondered if she would allow him to claim her again. He mentally shrugged. It was time to find out.