Parallel

Chapter 8

Inutaisha sat on top of a branch high in a tree near the village. A frown covered her face. How she hated Kimi. Ever since Kimi had come she had been hitting on her Kagoru. She growled with such a hatred that she never felt before. Even though she felt like ripping Kimi's head off she knew she had to remain civil. It was strange to have her sister here with her. No doubt Inuyasha was thinking the same about his brother.

Kagome stood at the base of the tree. "Inutaisha, the ramen is ready."

"I know Kagome. I figured I would let everyone else eat before me." She replied.

"Are you mad?"

"Hmm. No." 'Yes!' "Just having trouble adjusting."

"Inutaisha?"

"Hmm."

"What are demon mating rituals like?"

She almost fell from the branch she was on. "Kagome. Someone could hear you." She hissed through her teeth.

"Tell me."

"I'm not sure myself. I know that usually it is initiated with a mark of some sorts. You see for instance if the mate was a human boy for instance and the demon a girl then the girl would initiate it by giving the human a mark so the other demons knew he was hers."

"Would the mark be visible?"

"Not really. You see the mark is a bite that is supposed to be initiated carefully enough to leave only a small scar. Demon saliva also heals the bite when the intended is chosen."

"Why don't you become Kagoru's mate?"

Inutaisha was glad that Kagome was down at the base of the tree. She blushed deeply. "I don't know. Because I have to have his permission and right now he is with Kimi."

"You don't honestly believe that. Come down here." She jumped from the branch and landed in front of Kagome. Kagome handed her some chopsticks and a bowl of ramen. "Go get your man."

"What?! He isn't my man."

"You act a lot like Inuyasha. Go tell him. Go make him yours."

"Kagome maybe you don't understand. He...is..a..human! I'm a half-breed. He wouldn't want to mate with me!"

"But you want him. I'll keep Kimi and the rest busy."

"It won't matter she will smell me all over him." Then she shook her head. "Who gives a damn! He's mine and I am going to fight for him." She paused then said, "Do the same for Inuyasha."

Kagome blushed in turn. "Right."

"Kagome!" Koga shouted as he raced up to her. The sudden wind caused Inutaisha to spill her ramen.

"Thanks Koga, I appreciated that."

"Don't worry Inutaisha, I'll get you some more."

"Don't bother."

"Why have you been up here?" Koga interrupted.

"Inutaisha and I have been having some girl talk."

"Come on back. It's not safe for you out here."

Inutaisha suddenly smacked Koga. "Not safe! When the hell was it not safe to be out here with me. What am I rabid?!"

"Inutaisha!" Kagoru interrupted the three. Trailing behind him was Kimi.

"I would say she's rabid."

Inutaisha glared daggers at Kimi. "What are you a lapdog?" She snarled.

"What did you say?!" Kimi snarled back.

"You heard me. Calling me rabid. Talking about me behind my back when you don't have the guts to say it to my face." Inutaisha said angrily.

Kagoru suddenly found himself between two very angry girl demons. Koga began to reach for Inutaisha's arm to pull her back but was stopped by Kagome. "Don't interfere."

The two snarled at eachother till Inutaisha finally said, "I hate to break it to you but Kagoru is mine and you are not going to bother him." Kagoru gasped softly. He was surprised to hear her say such a thing.

"You wish!"

"You don't want to make me angry Kimi. Believe me. So back off."

"Yeah right."

"Enough! The both of you are acting crazy!"

Suddenly, Inutaisha directed her attentions to Kagoru and with a mighty tug she was carrying him off into the forest as quickly as possible. When she felt she had got far enough she put him down gently and shoved him against a tree. "Simple question Kagoru, do you want to be my mate or not?"

He was stunned beyond all thought. "Mate?"

"Yes. We don't have to have sex or anything but I will give you my mark and that will ward off all others from trying to mate with you."

"I don't know."

"It's simple enough. I love you. You love me, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Then be my mate."

"Will it hurt?"

"I don't know. I will try to be gentle."

Kagoru thought he saw her eyes glimmer red for a minute then dismissed it. "What about Kimi?"

Inutaisha snarled. "I'll take care of her if I have to."

"Don't hurt her."

"I can't make any promises."

Kagoru nodded then immediately felt her pierce the skin at the junction of his neck and shoulder. It surprisingly didn't hurt. It felt quite enjoyable instead. The sensation of her lips covering his skin and her tongue licking the puncture wounds she made drove him to a different kind of ecstasy.

He blinked open his eyes and realized he was on the ground. Inutaisha lay beside him, stroking his long black hair. She had taken off her haori to cover them with it. "How long was I out?"

"Only a few minutes. I was surprised when you collapsed against me. I thought I drew too much."

He gingerly touched the spot on his neck to find that it had healed. "How did it heal?"

"My saliva helped."

"Does this mean we are mates?"

Inutaisha grinned, showing her fangs. "Yes we are." She kissed his forehead gently then curled against him. "Let us lay here for a while. I will take us back in a bit." Kagoru murmured his agreement then fell asleep. Inutaisha stayed up admiring her new mate.