InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Temple of the Dog ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha. Those are the property of one Rumiko Takahashi. I thank her whole-heartedly for giving us such an amazing manga/anime to read/watch.

Author's Note. This is NOT the version of this chapter that is posted on fanfiction.net as this is definitely a lemon. It is not intended for readers under the age of 18. Please read the fanfiction.net version of this chapter if you are not at least 18 years of age or if you do not like to read fanfics containing the use of graphic sex.

You have been warned. Thank you.

Urd-chan

Temple of the Dog - Chapter 8

Inuyasha awoke to frantic pounding on the temple door. He quickly wrapped his kilt around himself and ran into the main chamber. Miroku was already at the temple door, lifting the locking bar and opening the heavy, wooden door.

The same youth who had been frequenting the temple stood there, panting from his exertions. He gasped between ragged breaths that the village was in trouble. The river had swollen to the point of overflowing and the village was in danger.

"I'll be right behind you," Inuyasha called to Miroku. The deity went to Kagome's chambers and found the robes that she had laid on her cot the night before. He grabbed them and rushed to his chambers.

"Hurry and get dressed. We need to get to the village." He shook her awake and held her robes out to her.

Kagome dressed quickly and ran to get her sandals. Inuyasha was waiting at the temple door. He turned his back to her and bent down.

"Get on."

"What?" Kagome was confused, but did his bidding. She climbed onto his back, wrapping her legs and arms around him. He grasped her by her thighs as he stood and began to run.

Miroku was surprised when Inuyasha rushed past him. He tried unsuccessfully to catch up with the deity.

Inuyasha and Kagome reached the village and stopped, shocked by what they saw.

The rain from the night before had flooded the river, sending it coursing over its banks and up the low rise to the village. While most of the village appeared untouched by the rushing water, they could see that the buildings that sat closest to the river were surrounded by the dark, churning water. It appeared that the entire village was awake and trying to help. They could see the four priests who had visited the temple the day before already busy doing what they could.

Kagome clung to Inuyasha's back, surveying the scene before her. A horrifying thought occurred to her.

"Kaede." The old woman's home was at the very edge of the village. It was the closest dwelling to the river.

Inuyasha turned and looked to where Kagome pointed. He nodded and sped off in that direction, jumping to a rooftop when he reached the edge of the flood and leaping from building to building until he reached the old woman's house. The swirling waters of the floodwater covered her flower gardens and had invaded the house.

"Get off." He gently lowered Kagome onto Kaede's rooftop and jumped to the entryway, fighting the rushing waters. He disappeared from Kagome's sight as he pushed against the current and into the house. The inside was flooded. He forced his way through the sitting room and into the bedroom, looking frantically for the old woman.

A noise in the rafters caught his attention and he looked up. There, clinging to the beam, was Kaede. How she had managed to climb there was a mystery, but she appeared unharmed.

Inuyasha quickly jumped to the beam, landing lightly next to her. He instructed her to climb onto his back, telling her that he would take her to safety. The old woman shook her head.

"You're crazy. There's no way you can carry me through that water."

Inuyasha growled at her, repeating his instructions to climb onto his back. A creaking from the beam convinced her that anything was better than staying where she was. She scrambled onto his back, surprisingly agile for a woman her age. Kaede clung onto Inuyasha as he quickly jumped from the beam and into the water.

The water level had risen in the short time he was in the house, bringing it to his shoulders.

"You're going to drown me," the old woman complained. Her head was barely above the water.

"Quiet or I'll put you back in the rafters." Inuyasha pushed again through the churning waters, stopping outside the house and leaping effortlessly to the roof.

"I'll take her to dry land and be back for you."

Kagome nodded, looking worriedly at the rising floodwater.

"I'll be back. Don't worry."

Then he was gone. Kagome could see him quickly jump from roof to roof, amazed that this was how he had carried her only minutes before. True to his word, he returned quickly, having left Kaede in the care of Miroku, who had finally arrived at the village.

"Get on!" Inuyasha turned his back to her and helped her climb on. He liked the feel of Kagome's legs and arms as they wrapped around him. He grabbed her thighs and held her tightly as he again jumped from the roof.

A loud rumble followed him and he stopped on the first roof to look back. Where Kaede's house had been there was now only debris and dark, swirling water. Kagome gasped, realizing that she had stood on top of that house only moments before. If Inuyasha hadn't returned as quickly as he had… She shuddered at the image her mind conjured up.

"You're safe, Kagome. You don't have to worry." Inuyasha voice was monotone.

Kagome could tell that their close call had not gone unnoticed by him. She hugged him and whispered in his ear. "Thank you."

Miroku had quickly taken charge when he arrived, directing villagers and rushing back and forth to be sure his instructions were being followed. The four visiting priests quickly joined him and they began tending to the villagers, helping any who had been injured trying to get away from the rising floodwaters.

When Inuyasha left Kaede with him, Miroku quickly instructed several of the volunteers to find dry robes, blankets, or whatever else they could find. He also requested something warm for her to eat. A few minutes later he was rewarded with several armfuls of dry coverings and a pot of hot gruel. Several of the older children from the village stayed with the priests and acted as runners for whatever they requested.

Kaede shivered as several dry blankets were wrapped around her. The youngest of the visiting priests, Houjou, offered her some of the warm mush, filling a spoon and holding it out to her.

"I can manage, thank you." She reached for the bowl and began to ate. The effect of the chill water on her quickly faded.

The old seamstress walked up to Kaede and offered her a bed at her home. It sat on the higher end of the village and appeared to be away from any danger. Kaede stood, shaking her head when the other woman offered her help. They moved slowly from the group of priests.

Miroku turned to see Inuyasha and Kagome return. The deity gently set the priestess on the ground.

"Are you all right?"

Kagome nodded. She was shaken, but otherwise unharmed.

Inuyasha turned to look back at the chaos.

"You stay here. I'll be back."

"I want to help, Inuyasha." Kagome grabbed his arm, turning him towards her.

"I can't help them if I have to worry about you. Just stay here and do what you can." The deity turned to glare at Miroku. "Keep an eye on her. And, behave yourself."

Inuyasha sprinted off in the direction of the rising water.

A young woman approached Kagome. She was dressed in strange attire. It was obvious that she wasn't from the village.

Kagome looked up at her, wondering about the two-toned pink robe covered by a green skirt that the girl wore. It was very conservative compared to the normal clothing of their land.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" The girl was looking around, taking in the situation. A small cat followed her.

The priestess gasped. "Your cat has two tails!"

"Oh, this is Kirara. Yes, she is unusual, isn't she?" She reached down and stroked the animal, causing it to purr.

"I'm Sango," she said as she stood up, offering her hand to Kagome.

The two young women quickly became busy helping the villagers. Kagome took charge of several frightened children while their mothers hurriedly moved belongings from the homes closest to the floodwaters. Sango left Kirara with Kagome and ran off to help the others.

The priestess was surprised when several of the village men ran up to her and asked where Inuyasha was. She pointed in the direction he had gone in, sending the men running.

Kagome heard yelling coming from the edge of the river. It was continuing to rise and villagers were running in a panic.

"I'm going to see what I can do." Kagome quickly ran towards the raging water. She knew Inuyasha had told her to stay away, but she couldn't just sit there and not even try to help.

Sango was on her heels. "There's nothing you can do, Kagome. You can't stop a river."

Kagome shook her head as she ran. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try."

The two young women continued, stopping only when the dark water lapped at their feet.

Kagome glanced around, searching for something, anything that would help. The water had reached a new line of houses and now swirled only inches from their doors. If the water wasn't stopped, it would destroy these houses just as it had Kaede's.

Kagome closed her eyes, desperate to find a solution. She could feel herself starting to panic, but reminded herself that she would be useless to the villagers if she did.

A feeling of warmth spread through her, starting in the middle of her chest and quickly spreading outwards. She opened her eyes, not sure what the feeling was. Something deep inside her seemed to call to her. The priestess knelt at the water's edge and held her hands out, responding to the silent voice inside of her. The edge of the water appeared to glow, sending a shimmering curtain of light upwards.

Sango gasped. The water had risen, but had not passed the glow. In fact, it appeared to be rising on the other side of the light. Soon she could see several inches of water above the ground, but the river stopped at the barrier. Kagome continued to hold her hands out, hoping her strength would not give out.

Miroku and the other priests had followed the two women and now stood looking at the young priestess, amazed by what they saw.

The older priest smiled. "We always knew Kagome had special powers. I just never expected them to be this strong. Your deity has surely found a very special priestess."

Kagome continued to focus on the water's edge.

"The water is going down!" Miroku shouted.

Yes, surely the water seemed to be falling back from the barrier. After several minutes it had returned to the level Kagome had found it at. Soon afterwards she noticed that it seemed to have withdrawn farther, leaving a wet patch of ground between its edge and the barrier.

The priestess relaxed, letting the barrier dissolve. She felt light headed. Everyone seemed to be running around her, shouting excitedly and pointing to the river. Several people came to her and tried to shake her hand. Her head seemed to spin and then there was nothing.

Inuyasha had stopped near the edge of the water and was trying to find a way to block it from going any closer to the rest of the village. He was surprised when several of the village men ran up to him.

"My lord, there is a problem further down the river. We sent several of the boys to see if there was anything we could do. They returned with the news that the two large obelisks that marked the edge of our territory on the river have fallen into the river and are blocking the flow. If they could just be moved, the water would have an outlet."

"I'll see what I can do." He sprinted off, moving faster than anything the men had seen before.

Inuyasha reached the point in the river where the stone obelisks had slid down the crumbling river banks and formed a dam. Other debris had caught on the blockage and was slowing the river even more.

The deity waded into the churning water, struggling against the current. The water was dark from dirt and debris, making it impossible to see past its surface. The force of the water threatened to carry him downstream, but he held firm. He moved slowly, slipping on the sludge that coated the ground beneath the surface. It took him several minutes to reach the fallen monuments. When he reached them, he dove beneath the black water and felt his way to the smooth stone that marked the unwanted dam.

He gripped one, bracing himself as he lifted the heavy stone. He turned blindly, lifting the obelisk over what once was the river's bank and hefted it. The stone monument arched up and over, landing a short distance from the edge of the river. Inuyasha quickly grasped the second obelisk, sending it hurtling the opposite direction.

Water and debris flowed quickly towards him, carrying him downstream several hundred yards before he was able to gain a foothold on the bottom. Inuyasha struggled to the bank and pulled himself out of the flooding waters. He stood for a moment and watched as the increased flow sped past him. He quickly worked his way to where the obelisks had blocked the river's path and noted that the water was already receding slightly from the area of overflow. Content that blockage was gone, he quickly sprinted back to the village.

Inuyasha returned to the spot where he had left Kagome. She was nowhere to be seen. Several of the older children had taken over watching the younger ones.

"Where is Kagome?" The deity growled as he continued to look around for her.

"She went that way." One of the children pointed in the direction Kagome had taken. It went straight to the river.

"Damn it, I told her to stay here." Inuyasha quickly ran to the river. When he got there he saw a small crowd talking excitedly near the water.

"Thank the gods!" One of the elders rushed to Inuyasha, bowing deeply to the deity.

"What the hell is going on?"

"The priestess, Kagome, stopped the water from coming any closer to the village. Then, my lord, it appears you found a way to move the water away from it." The man bowed again.

Several villagers seemed to be standing over something on the ground. Inuyasha rushed through the crowd, stopping when he saw Kagome lying on the ground. She didn't appear to be moving.

"Kagome!" He ran to her and lifted her, looking accusingly at the villagers.

Miroku stepped forward. "She only fainted. It was amazing. She made some type of barrier to hold the water back. Then, the water started going down."

Inuyasha stood up with Kagome in his arms. She was wet and dirty, but seemed to be unharmed. She moved slightly in his arms and opened her eyes.

"Inuyasha?"

Aware that the villagers were staring at them, the deity slowly set the priestess on her feet.

"I told you to stay where you were," he said angrily.

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't stand around and not do something." She noticed Inuyasha's appearance.

The deity was dirty and wet, his hair tangled. Leaves and other debris were caught in the long silver strands. Kagome had never seen him look so unkempt. She couldn't help but think he looked cute that way.

"What are you looking at?" he demanded.

Inuyasha glanced at his hands, realizing how dirty he had become from the river.

"Feh! You need to look at yourself."

Kagome realized that her robes were torn and dirty. Once again she was wet. Her own hair hadn't fared much better than Inuyasha's.

"Yuck! I need a bath!" Kagome laughed, releasing the tension that had built up in her.

Inuyasha took her arm and pulled her through the crowd. He had had enough of dealing with people for one day. The crisis was averted. All that was left was the clean up, and that he would leave to the villagers. He wanted nothing more than to go back to the temple. A good bath and a meal would help, but more than that he wanted to be alone with Kagome. Finding her unconscious had frightened him. He wanted to be with her, to feel the way he had the night before.

A small crown of villagers followed Inuyasha as he led Kagome towards the temple. He stopped and turned, ready to tell everyone to leave them alone.

The expressions on the villagers' faces stopped him. They had worked hard all day, trying to save their village. Thanks to Inuyasha and Kagome, the village was now safe. He couldn't be angry with them. It was their home, after all.

The old seamstress came forward, flashing her toothless grin at the deity and priestess.

"It appears that I am going to have to make our priestess some more robes. As for our deity, I have already finished your new kilts. I would be honored for you to take them with you. You are, after all, in need of them."

Inuyasha glanced at the torn and dirty kilt he wore. Normally he wouldn't have cared, but now he had someone to look nice for. He grunted and turned to the old woman. She started walking in the direction of her home. Inuyasha and Kagome followed.

Sango watched her new friend walk away with Inuyasha. Her heart felt heavy as she turned and walked to the home she was staying at. It belonged to the parents of a member of the pharaoh's personal guard. Arrangements had been made through the guard so she could stay close to Inuyasha's temple. She had a job to do there, after all.

The seamstress welcomed them into her modest home, apologizing for its lack of ornamentation.

"Inuyasha is a deity of simple tastes. I'm sure he is more comfortable this way," Kagome explained as they were led into the sitting room.

The seamstress excused herself and went into the bedroom. She returned several moments later with several kilts draped over her arm.

"I hope my lord finds these acceptable." She held them out for Inuyasha's inspection.

He simply grunted, not sure how he should respond.

Kagome smiled. "They look exquisite, as were the robes you made for me. They are far better than just acceptable."

The old seamstress grinned. She offered the visitors something to eat, but they declined. They were hungry, but more than anything they wanted to get out of the clothes that now stuck to them from the dried mud that had caked on them.

Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, his kilt's stiffness now scratching him.

"Perhaps you will allow me to send a meal. I'm sure my young helper would be glad to take it to the temple for you. I can have it there in just a short while."

Inuyasha grunted again. Kagome smiled and thanked the old woman. The young priestess felt comfortable in the small house. She couldn't help but feel that the seamstress was becoming like a grandmother to her.

"Let me put these in something. Surely you don't want to dirty them." The old woman held out the kilts before turning back to the bedroom.

Kaede appeared at the bedroom door. She seemed to have recovered from her close call earlier, but there was something about her eyes. Kagome could see a sadness in them.

Kagome approached the old woman.

"It looks like you're feeling better. If there is anything I can do…" the priestess found herself unable to find the right words.

"I lost my sister. Now, I lost everything I had to remember her by." The woman glared at Inuyasha.

He looked away, uncomfortable at her words.

"You will always remember your sister. That is what matters most now, isn't it?" Kagome wanted to help, but didn't know how. The woman blamed Inuyasha for her sister's death. The priestess doubted Kaede would ever believe otherwise.

The seamstress appeared at the bedroom door carrying a wrapped bundle. She handed it to Kagome, assuming that the deity would not want to carry it. Kaede excused herself and returned to the bedroom.

"It's going to take her time. Please don't be angry at Lady Kaede. She has lost much and has lived most of her life alone. She means no disrespect, my lord."

Kagome nodded in understanding. She thanked the seamstress and followed Inuyasha back to the street.

They could see the villagers working to return things to the way they were before the flood. It would take time, but thankfully nobody had been seriously hurt. Several homes had been destroyed, but the rest of the village was stepping in and helping. Nobody would be without a place to sleep or food to eat.

The deity and priestess were greeted by villagers as they made their way out of the village. When they had left the buildings behind, Inuyasha turned away from Kagome and bent down for her to climb on his back. He ran the rest of the distance to the temple, setting her down gently just outside the large wooden doors.

A sound started them. Inuyasha turned and saw a young woman approaching. She wore a close-fitting black outfit that covered her completely. At her shoulders, elbows, and knees were small pieces of armor. A long red sash was tied at her waist.

Most startling was the large boomerang which she held aloft. She swung it back and then forward, releasing it in Inuyasha's direction.

"What the hell?" He quickly grabbed Kagome and jumped out of the way.

The boomerang narrowly missed the deity, spinning and returning to the woman. She lifted it and swung it again, releasing it with great force. Inuyasha pushed Kagome out of the way and ducked the opposite direction. Again, the weapon returned to its owner. She again sent the boomerang towards Inuyasha, who again jumped out of the way. The weapon sliced through a pillar, sending a cascade of rock and dust to the ground.

The young woman was readying the weapon again when she was hit by a force from behind. The boomerang flew off course and landed between her and the temple. The woman was rolling over and over on the ground, struggling to free herself from whatever had taken her down.

Inuyasha rushed to Kagome, making sure she was all right before dashing to the struggling figures. By the time he reached them, the attacker had pinned the young woman to the ground.

"Well, well. This is a curious way to introduce yourself." Miroku smirked. He was looking the woman over, smiling at what he saw as he leaned more heavily on her arms, pinning them more securely.

"Let me go!" She was definitely frightened.

Kagome ran forward, confused by the woman's attack. "Sango. Why?" They had worked side by side at the village, talking when they could. She had felt comfortable with the woman, feeling that perhaps she would have a new friend.

Inuyasha and Miroku each grabbed one of Sango's arms, pulling her onto her feet. She stood silently, looking down at the ground. Suddenly she reacted, startled by a touch on her backside.

Miroku looked away sheepishly as he removed his free hand from her butt.

"How dare you touch me like that?" Sango was understandably angry.

"It's in his blood. He comes from a long line of perverts, I assure you. He is harmless, however." Inuyasha used his free hand to thump the priest on top of the head.

Kagome approached Sango. "I asked you why, Sango? Why did you attack Inuyasha?"

Sango was near tears as she looked at her new friend. She then glanced at Inuyasha, looking away when he saw the angry look on his face.

"I didn't have a choice. It was either attack him or…" The words caught in her throat when she realized the cost of her failure.

The priestess looked at Inuyasha. "Perhaps we can take her inside and talk."

Kagome quickly pushed open the temple door, moving to the side for Inuyasha and Miroku to bring Sango inside. Once inside, Kagome pushed the heavy door closed and hurried to put some wood on the fire. Their daily chores had been neglected and now only two torches burned and the fire in the pit was nearly out. Once she got the fire burning again she quickly lit several torches and placed them in the holders on the wall. The room grew brighter.

"What do you mean, you had no choice?" Kagome spoke softly, not wanting to frighten her new friend further. It was obvious that something terrible had caused her to attack the deity. The priestess could see sadness, but no darkness, in the other woman's heart.

"You're a youkai exterminator." Inuyasha took in Sango's attire. Her boomerang had been left outside, preventing her from retrieving it easily.

Sango simply nodded.

Miroku and Kagome looked at the others, confused. They had no idea what the others were talking about.

"You're a long way from home, aren't you?" Inuyasha growled.

Again, Sango nodded. She sat motionless, staring at her hands which were folded on her lap.

"Did you come all this way just to kill me?" Inuyasha spoke softly, his voice monotone.

"I was brought here."

"Who hired you to kill me?"

All hope for her brother's life faded. She closed her eyes tightly and whispered, "The pharaoh. Naraku."

The others reacted in surprise. Why would the pharaoh have hired someone to kill a deity? It didn't make sense.

"Was your reward worth my life?" Inuyasha seemed to be focused inward, thinking to himself.

"Yes." Sango bowed her head, tears building in her eyes.

The priestess could feel the deep sadness in her friend. Something horrible had been done to the woman.

"What did the pharaoh offer?" Miroku asked.

"My brother's life." Sango began to cry. "Kohaku!"

Kagome looked from Inuyasha to Miroku. Surely there was something they could do.

"We can't just let the pharaoh have her brother killed. Isn't there something we can do?" Kagome was angry. Her own dealings with the pharaoh had proven that the man had no heart.

Miroku appeared to be deep in thought. "Why would the pharaoh have brought you from so far away? Surely if he wanted Inuyasha dead, he could have found assassins much closer."

Sango shook her head. "Youkai can't be killed the way a human can. It takes someone trained for the job, as I have been." She closed her eyes, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Of course, I failed. Father would be ashamed of me, especially with Kohaku's life at stake."

"But, Inuyasha is a deity," Miroku turned to look at Inuyasha.

The silver-haired deity glared at Sango. He could see the concerned look on Kagome's face and realized that he had no choice but to tell them his story.

"I'm not a deity." His voice was low and soft. He hoped Kagome wouldn't hate him for hiding the truth from her. While he had never lied, keeping something so important a secret was just as bad.

Kagome sat on the floor by Inuyasha's feet, looking up at him. She reached out a hand and lay it on his knee, showing him her support. What he was about to tell them was obviously something he hadn't wanted them to know. What could be so terrible? Kagome thought.

"You're a youkai?" The priestess's question was more of a statement.

Inuyasha shook his head. "My mother was human. My father was a youkai."

"So, you're a hanyou?" Kagome asked.

"What the…? How do you know about hanyou's?" He looked at Kagome, amazed at her knowledge.

Kagome smiled slightly. "I don't always ignore my grandfather's tales. He is old and tends to ramble, but when he was younger he traveled to many different lands. Since returning home and becoming a priest at the temple of Osiris, he has searched out any strangers, wanting to know of their lands. I remember him telling me tales of youkai."

Miroku looked at Inuyasha. Not a deity? This was serious. He was the priest at Inuyasha's temple. When people found out that they had been worshipping a false deity, the offerings would cease. He would be a laughing stock…

"I'm sorry, " Sango whispered. She realized that her attack on Inuyasha had become more than just physical. She worried that Kagome would be hurt by her deity's revelation.

Inuyasha nodded, looking at Kagome. Once again she had amazed him. Not only had she already known about youkai, but now seemed to be staying by him. He had feared she would hate him when the truth was told. The look in her eyes was of deep affection. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His worst fear had not been realized.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha. He appeared to be worried. She reached her hand to his, taking it and giving it a gentle squeeze. "It doesn't change who you are."

Suddenly aware that Miroku was studying their interaction, Inuyasha snarled.

"Sango isn't the only one who has been wronged by this 'pharaoh'. It's about time somebody teaches him he can't get away with treating people this way." Inuyasha squeezed Kagome's hand back and stood up. He had released his hold on Sango's arm. He felt he had nothing to fear from the woman. His enemy sat on the throne at the pharaoh's palace. That, too, was where Sango's brother was being held.

Miroku realized what Inuyasha was planning. "I guess this means you're going to pay a personal visit to the pharaoh?"

"Not me. Us." Inuyasha indicated the others, including Miroku.

The priest stuttered. "Surely, my lord, I will be needed to tend to the temple."

"The temple will be fine. The villagers will be working to restore the village. They don't need to waste their time coming to the temple right now.

"Oh, and Miroku. Have Kagome pick out some things from the spare chamber. She needs to be comfortable. Keep some things for yourself and give the rest to the villagers. They lost a lot in the flood. We don't need all that stuff…" Inuyasha waved his hand in the direction of the spare chamber.

Miroku shook his head. "But, surely, they were given as offerings. The people might think you were displeased with their gifts." Visions of the profits he could make by selling the things at the markets in the north vanished when he realized the deity was serious. Well, he could still consider Inuyasha his deity - for now.

Inuyasha shook his head, glaring at Miroku. "The offerings were to me. I'll decide what to do with them. They are to be given to the villagers."

Sango broke her silence. "What do you plan to do with me?"

"What? You can have Kagome's old cot."

Miroku reacted. "Where will Kagome sleep?"

Kagome blushed, realizing that Inuyasha meant his bed. They had, after all, shared it the night before. However, if she continued to share it, people would assume things.

"Kagome deserves to be more than just your concubine." Miroku glared at Inuyasha. Despite his own perverted ways, he was a man of honor. The temple priestess had proven that she was worth more than a fate like that.

"She is not my concubine." He stood up and walked to Kagome's make-shift chambers, moving aside two of the screens so that he could reach her chest. He lifted it and walked pointedly to his room, leaving the chest by the foot of the bed. When he came back out, three pairs of eyes were on him.

"What is everyone staring at?" he demanded.

Miroku whispered to Sango. "If she moves into his chambers, she will be his wife."

Sango appeared shocked. "But, there has been no wedding ceremony. How could that be?"

"Ceremony? Oh, it seems that your customs are different than ours. In this land, they only need to share a dwelling. Of course, technically they already have, but she is the temple priestess and has been sleeping in her own quarters." Miroku had moved closer to Sango. She inched away from him, watching his hands closely.

The priest sighed, moving closer to Sango. His hand dipped behind her.

Inuyasha and Kagome looked up at the sound of a loud slap. Sango was standing up, looking down at Miroku. The priest was rubbing his jaw. When he took his hand away, a red handprint was clearly visible on his cheek.

Inuyasha laughed. "Serves you right. Looks like you have to behave yourself around this one."

Miroku blushed. He glanced at Sango. There was something so different about this woman. Of course, her form-fitting body suit revealed her every curve. His eyes were drawn to her backside, which faced him as she turned to speak to Inuyasha and Kagome.

"I still need to know what you plan on doing with me." Sango inched away from Miroku as he reached his hand towards her.

"Do with you? I'm not going to do anything with you. We're going to the pharaoh's palace and saving your brother. What else do you want?" Inuyasha snarled.

"After what I tried to do. I don't understand."

"You were only trying to save your brother. If anyone needs to be punished, it's the pharaoh." Inuyasha reached down on the small altar and picked up the statue the pharaoh had left as an offering. The deity flung the statue across the main chamber, hitting a pillar. The statue shattered, its remains falling to the floor. "That's what the pharaoh deserves. He will have to learn that you don't play with people." Inuyasha looked at Kagome, remembering her story regarding the pharaoh.

"Kagome. You spoke about the pharaoh having a darkness in his heart. Did you feel anything else?" Miroku continued to inch towards Sango, but she moved away before he could grope her again. The priest was beginning to have fun trying to reach her.

"Evil. He's evil. I know I shouldn't be talking about the pharaoh this way, but I can't help how me makes me feel." Kagome held one hand to her throat, remembering the way she felt when she had faced the Naraku.

Strong arms came around her as Inuyasha pulled her into a gentle embrace. "You don't have to worry about the pharaoh with me around. He's not going to hurt you. That I promise."

A knock at the door interrupted them. Inuyasha growled at Miroku to answer it. The priest looked wistfully at the woman standing near him and stood up, walking to the heavy wooden door.

As always, there was the same boy from the village. He had with him several younger children, each of who carried something. There was a basket of fresh fruit, several loaves of freshly baked bread, a jug of wine, and of course the promised hot meal.

"Ah, our dinner. If you wouldn't mind, carry those things in for me." Miroku took the steaming clay pot from the boy and watched as the younger children all rushed in and set their offerings on the small altar. Each looked up in awe at Inuyasha and Kagome. After all, it was the deity and priestess who had saved the village. They had fought for the honor of bringing the offerings to the temple.

One of the children bowed to Inuyasha and quickly ran after the others as they left the temple. They would have just enough time to make it back to the village before it began to get dark.

"I didn't realize how late it was getting." Miroku stepped outside and retrieved Sango's boomerang before closing the temple door and putting the locking bar in place.

Kagome had already cut some of the bread. It was still warm, melting the butter she spread on each piece. She had laid out four plates and placed a large chunk of bread on each. Miroku lifted the lid of the clay pot and inhaled deeply.

"The village seamstress cooks as well as she sews," he commented as he heaped some of the steaming stew onto a plate. He paused and then handed the plate to Sango, who blushed as she accepted it. Miroku then served himself and took his plate, moving to where Sango sat.

Inuyasha growled. "You couldn't serve the rest of us?"

Kagome giggled and scooped a large helping out for Inuyasha. "My lord, your dinner."

Inuyasha took the plate from Kagome and leaned towards her, whispering into her ear.

"This will satisfy my stomach, but I fear I need something more to satisfy the rest of me."

Kagome nearly dropped her plate at the unexpected flirtation. She glanced at the deity, surprised to see that he sat with a serious face, eating his food as if nothing had happened.

They were sore and tired from the exertions of the day. They ate without speaking, finishing the sumptuous stew and two loaves of bread. The third loaf and fresh fruit would make a good breakfast for them in the morning.

Inuyasha and Miroku filled several basins of water while the women cleaned the dishes and pot. The men took two of the basins into Inuyasha's chambers.

"You ladies can wash up in there." Miroku indicated Inuyasha's chambers.

Kagome led Sango into the room. The priestess opened her trunk and took out two sleep robes.

"Here, you will need something to sleep in."

Sango blushed. The gauzy linen was unlike anything she had worn. She was not used to the revealing clothing of this land.

"Don't worry. It's not as see-through as it looks. The main chamber is very dim during the night. He won't see anything."

Sango blushed again, realizing that Kagome was referring to the temple priest. The youkai exterminator found herself picturing his slightly crooked smile and the glimmer in his eye She quickly stripped off the dirty bodysuit and washed herself from one basin while Kagome washed herself from the other. There was little she could do with her hair. It would take a good bath in the river to rinse all the dirt and debris in it.

The two young women quickly put on the robes.

"If you'd like, I can try to do something with your hair." Sango picked up a comb that was lying inside Kagome's open trunk. She quickly started to work, detangling the priestess's long tresses. When she was done, Kagome helped Sango with her hair.

"I guess it wasn't as dirty as I thought. Mostly just messy." Kagome ran her hand through her dark hair. She still wished for a proper bath, but knew that she would have to wait for that.

The priestess led Sango from the room. Inuyasha and Miroku stood in the main chamber, obviously having washed themselves from the other basins. The deity had put on one of his new kilts, and Kagome found herself staring at him. The light of the torches flickered over him, accenting the outline of his muscles. He was truly a vision, despite his unkempt hair.

Miroku shook his head. "I offered to comb his hair, but he refused." The priest put his hands up in mock disgust.

Kagome laughed. "Perhaps my lord will allow me to comb it for him."

Inuyasha smirked at Miroku and followed Kagome back to his chambers.

Sango quickly retreated behind the screens that would now serve as her chamber, at least for the night. She was exhausted from the day and quickly fell asleep.

Miroku slept across the main chamber, finding himself unable to sleep. There had been something about the stranger who slept across the room from him. He found himself thinking of her as he fell asleep.

Kagome picked up a comb and sat on the edge of Inuyasha's bed. She patted the mattress next to her, indicating that she wanted him to sit by her.

He walked slowly to where she sat, not anxious to have her comb his hair. She tugged on his arm, pulling him down beside her.

"I promise I'll be gentle," she whispered as she took the comb and carefully started detangling the long, silvery-white strands.

Inuyasha smiled at her. "You be gentle now and I promise I'll be gentle later."

Kagome blushed as she combed his hair, being extra careful around his ears.

"Kagome."

"Yes, Inuyasha?" She had nearly finished, finding it easier than she thought to detangle his hair.

"About earlier. I wasn't truthful to you. Aren't you angry?"

Kagome paused, not sure what to say. "You didn't lie. I know you must have your reasons for not saying anything. Like when I first came to the temple, you didn't push for me to tell you my reason for coming here."

The priestess shrugged and finished the last part of his hair. "Besides," she continued. "I trust you."

Trust. The one thing that had been lacking in his life. The thing that he wanted more than anything. Now, Kagome looked up at him, her faith in him visible in her eyes. He realized he trusted her. Kagome would never betray him.

He growled softly, "Enough with the comb. I've waited all day to be alone with you."

Kagome pretended she didn't understand. "Why would you want to be alone with me?"

"I want you to dance for me again." He pulled her onto his lap as he sat on the edge of the bed. Her legs straddled him as he pulled her close to him.

The priestess kissed him while she reached her hands up to his ears. Her touch was gentle as she carefully stroked the soft velveteen triangles that peeked from his hair.

"Kagome," Inuyasha moaned, responding to her touch on his ears. He had never let anyone caress them before and was surprised at just how pleasurable the feeling was.

Kagome began to sway lightly back and forth, her hips pushing against him as she began her private dance. Inuyasha grasped her hips and coaxed her into bigger movements. He moaned as she rubbed against him, bringing his manhood to life.

Inuyasha moved his hands to her sash, quickly untying it as she continued to gyrate against him. He slid the fabric from her shoulders, baring her breasts. He pulled her to him, enjoying the feel of her skin against him.

Kagome moaned with pleasure as he pulled her head to him and kissed her. His lips were warm and moist against hers and she felt her own lips respond to him by parting, inviting him inside. He pushed his tongue into her mouth, enjoying the feel of hers as he explored her mouth. His tongue probed her over and over, sending shivers of delight through her.

Her hands dropped to his shoulders, moving lower as she gently massaged his chest. Her hands stroked his bare skin on their downward path, sending ripples of pleasure through him. She found the tie of his kilt and quickly undid it, parting the fabric around his already throbbing manhood. She continued to move against him, wiggling and gyrating for his pleasure.

Suddenly she slid from his lap, coming to her knees just in front of him. He reacted with surprise when Kagome leaned forward and cupped her hands around his pulsing shaft before guiding it into her mouth. Her lips closed around him as she slowly moved up and down him.

The soft warmth of her mouth surrounded him while her tongue stroked his shaft. She circled the base of his manhood with one hand while massaging the soft sac behind it with her other. It was pure ecstasy as Kagome's moans and the scent of her womanhood reached him, sending him dangerously close to his peak.

He pulled her away from him before he couldn't control himself, moving her onto the bed.

Kagome shook her head. "Lie on your back. Let me do the work tonight."

He gave her a puzzled look but did as she requested. Kagome moved to sit over him, straddling him as she again rubbed her private area against his arousal.

"I still have a job to do." He gently pulled her forward until she found her hands against the wall and her womanhood poised just above his face.

Inuyasha grasped her hips and guided her to him, letting his tongue circle her nub while he slipped one hand between her legs. Kagome moaned as his fingers stroked her swollen lips before plunging into her. She gasped with delight, her back arching as she cried out in pleasure, her fingers clenching at the hard stone wall.

The deity replaced his fingers with his tongue, probing her as deeply as he could while he gently massaged the folds of skin that surrounded her womanhood. He marveled at her taste as his tongue continued to stroke and probe her. Her moans became louder as she gasped for breath, coming close to her moment of release. Before she reached it, she pushed herself from the wall, moving down him until his hips were beneath hers as she straddled him.

"I want you, Kagome."

"I know," she said as she lowered herself onto his manhood. She could feel it slip inside of her, sending her to the brink of ecstasy. She began to lift herself from him, only to slide herself around him again. Her movements were slow at first, building as they both neared the moment they longed for. Inuyasha grasped her hips as she moved over him, guiding her as she slid herself around his shaft. He moved one hand to her breast, cupping it gently with his hand before taking the nipple between his fingers and rubbing it to arousal.

The deity pushed himself up, bringing his chest parallel to her and kissed her. His lips teased her as she moved over him, kissing first gently and then deeply before he dropped his head to her chest and began to stimulate first one and then the other nipple, his lips and tongue stroking them.

He could hear Kagome's heartbeat racing, her breath coming in gasps as she climbed steadily to her moment of…

Release. Kagome gasped, crying out in pleasure as Inuyasha felt himself explode inside of her. He continued to guide her hips over him until her orgasm ended and then gently flipped her onto the bed so that he lay over her. He lay between her spread legs and slid himself into her again, quickly finding the rhythm that sent her spiraling towards ecstasy again. He held himself deep inside her as she reached orgasm. Her womanhood clenched around him as he again exploded into her.

Inuyasha slowly slid his manhood from her, laying next to her on the bed as she tried to catch her breath. When her breathing had almost returned to normal, she looked at him.

"What?" he demanded.

"I still can't believe this is happening," she whispered as she snuggled against him.

"Feh. You deserve a lot more than this, Kagome. You should live in a palace."

"I don't want a palace. I just want to be with you." Kagome kissed his lightly on the lips and wrapped her arms tightly around him as she succumbed to the exhaustion of the day.

"Goodnight, Kagome," Inuyasha mumbled. He slid his arms around the priestess and let himself relax. He would need his sleep for the job that lay ahead of them.