A/N: I am a loooong time participator in the Inuyasha fandom but this is the first story I've ever published for it! Hard to believe its taken me 10+ years… This storyline has been in my head for months now but I just recently became motivated to turn my iPhone notes into a rough draft into an actual chapter. No one has proofed it for me so my apologies for any minor grammatical or punctuation errors. I hope you enjoy this. Fair warning though: I have NO idea when I will update it again…

TW: sexual assualt

Chapter One

Kagome's body was on fire as she sprinted through the woods.

"You will be my wife Kagome." Naraku had always had a somewhat unhealthy obsession with the goddess of Springtime but Kagome saw him as harmless. Today was different. The look in his eyes was different.

"Never." She scoffed defiantly.

In a flash, she was pinned to a large oak tree, the rough bark cutting into her back through her thin dress. Naraku's clawed hand holding her hostage by the throat.

"It would be easier for you if you gave yourself to me freely." His voice was dark and prickled Kagome's skin.

"I am a lot of things, but easy is not one of them."

A deep growl reverberated through Naraku's chest and Kagome saw his eyes flash red. His free hand moved like lightning and tore open her dress. Kagome could feel her undergarments still mostly in tact and ground her teeth in anger.

"Are you so pathetic that you must force yourself upon a woman who would have nothing to do with you?" Roots from the tree shot up from the ground and wrapped themselves around Naraku's free hand.

Naraku chuckled darkly and broke the roots without effort, "Do you forget so easily? Your parlor tricks are not match for the god of Harvest." His left hand tightened its grip on her throat while the other explored her breasts through her shift.

Instinctively, Kagome spit in the god's face, "You are vile," she croaked out.

Pausing his advances to wipe his face, Naraku bared his teeth at her in an evil grin. Pushing himself against her, she could feel his hardened member against her inner thigh. "I will take you over and over and over again until you break." He whispered into her ear. With that promise, Naraku hiked one of Kagome's legs up and pushes himself towards her core. Kagome's body shuddered as only a single layer separated them now.

The reality of the situation hit the goddess and tears began to stream down her face.

His hand reached to rip away the cloth around her hips and she cried out. With her cry, a burst of pink light engulfed them both.

Naraku was screaming. His wails and the smell of burnt flesh were the only thing filling her senses. She did not wait to investigate, she just started running.

With her godliness she could run for hours but it was the hiding that was the problem. Gods have the ability to sense each other while in the mortal realm. Just like now, she could feel the distance between herself and Naraku growing. But that would not last for much longer. For once he recovered from the injury he would be on her again. The only place to escape would be where the gods cannot freely travel.

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome yelled as her feet continued to move. "Sesshomaru!" This time with more urgency.

Sesshomaru, god of gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus and overseer of the mortal realm. Kagome would be safe from Naraku if Sesshomaru granted her entrance to the upper realm. She continued to call his name, trying to summon him, but nothing.

All gods are connected in different ways. Companions, being the weakest of connections, can feel another's aura. This helps in locating but it is only affective for so long and at certain distances. Meaning the farther apart, the weaker the connection. Between familial gods the aura sensing is stronger, even to the point of family members being able to feel the other's emotions. Sexual bonds were the strongest of connections. Partners were able to locate auras at any distance and even communicate telepathically, or so Kagome had heard.

However, every god, regardless of location or stature, was connected through a Verbal Summons. No matter the relationship between the gods, they could all be summoned with a verbal incantation. The issue, especially for Kagome in this very moment, as that it was optional for the god to adhere to the summons. Meaning Sesshomaru could hear her, but was choosing not to come.

For the first time since she started running, Kagome could feel the darkness pushing at the back of her mind. Naraku's dark aura was getting nearer to her now. She still had some time but she could not waste it waiting for that ass that may never show up.

The trees were thicker in this part of the forest but the underbrush was still manageable. Her mind whirled. What were her options? The only other realm Naraku could not reach her in was the Underworld.

No one spoke of the Underworld. Not even the gods, for fear of its ruler. Even though she was a goddess herself, she knew nearly nothing of the realm or its god, only the tall tales the mortals would tell—That even muttering his name would open the doors between the realms and allow him to appear and drag you back down to hell; he tortures his captives deep into the night and only stops so they can recover enough for him to reopen their wounds; if you listen closely on a cold winter night you can hear their unyielding screams from below.

Kagome had yet to meet anyone who had journeyed to the Underworld and returned so she knew not to trust these stories. Still, that fact did scare her: no one returned from the Underworld. Yes, she was a goddess and the rules were different for her but...she couldn't help her skin crawling at what she was about to do. Then again, feeling Naraku's evil presence tickling at the edges of her senses, she didn't think hell would be as bad as the alternative.

She had to rack her brain to even remember the god's name. Mortals refused to speak it, and her and her companions never broached this topic of conversation.

Inu-something, Inu...yoho? No. Inuyaba? No but that was closer...

"Inuyasha?" she muttered testing it out, "Yes! Inuyasha!" Kagome's heart leaped. Without hesitation she recited the summons,

"Before me now I want to see

In the flesh I summon thee

INUYASHA!"

Kagome could not afford to stop running in case he, like Sesshomaru, did not appear. But she continued to scream his name with no abandon.

Mid stride she felt herself leave the earth as her body twisted upward. Within a moment she was secured on...a horse? The sudden change of movement from running to galloping threw her and her mind whirled. She was positioned sideways on the front of a saddle but not facing forward. Instead, she looked up to come face to face with the most gorgeous man she had ever seen.

Bright, silver hair flowed behind him as his horse continued to race. His fringe was pushed back out of his face, focusing Kagome's eyes on the amber staring back at her. They were unlike anything she had ever seen, not even the fae had eyes like these.

"You called?" his voice was smooth, drawing Kagome's eyes to his mouth, where she was met with a smug smile. The fang poking out did not go unnoticed.

"Inu...yasha?"

"In the flesh," He smirked, quoting the summons spell.

Kagome was only momentarily distracted by his attractiveness but the dark twinge at the base of her skulls reminded her why she summoned him. "Take me to the Underworld." Her request was hasty.

No one ever summoned Inuyasha. Well except for his damned brother. But he had learned long ago how to block that voice from his head. So when the sound of a woman—a very desperate woman—screaming his name interrupted his daily sentencings, he knew his curiosity would get the better of him.

He was familiar with most of the older gods, seeing as they had been around for millennia but this woman sprinting through the woods was unfamiliar to him. He could sense that she was only a few hundred years old so she did not exist during his last trip to the mortal realm.

The woman sitting practically on his lap was the image of desperation and dishevelment. Her midnight black hair swirled around her as the wind whipped through it. It was long and wild but Inuyasha noticed the small delicate detail of the baby's breath crown at the back of her head. Her lips were pale from the early autumn breeze as they parted trying to catch her breath, where her high cheeks were flushed pink from her run. As his gaze washed over her face, it was her eyes that Inuyasha was focused on the most. Her large doe eyes were shifting constantly over their surroundings, never stopping to rest for long as if she was expecting something to happen. The moments they did stop to look at him, he was caught off guard by the haunting steel blue color of them. They reminded him of time long ago when the grounds would warm at the tail end of winter signaling the arrival of springtime.

This strange woman was alluringly beautiful, Inuyasha could not deny that. But her words were now registering with him. She wanted to go to the Underworld?

Abruptly, Inuyasha pulled on the reigns of the horse to stop it. He quickly dismounted and offered his hand up to the woman still on the saddle. Her eyes were even wilder now, shifting around the wooded area like an animal cornered. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He could not sense any mortals for miles. He did, however, know there was something else just out of reach but it was too far for him to tell who or what it was.

When Inuyasha did not respond to her request Kagome repeated, "Take me to the Underworld."

Seeing as she was refusing to take his outstretched hand, Inuyasha dropped it, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves wench." Eyeing her as she gracefully dropped from the saddle without assistance.

"Kagome." She corrects him sternly.

"Kagome it is then."

"Good, we have the pleasantries out of the way. Now let us go."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at her again as he examined her full body. Her long, cornflower blue dress was simple, it's sleeves were loose and airy as they reached a little past her elbows. The hem was dirtied and ripped from, he assumed, her trek through the woods but it covered most of her...bare feet?

Odd.

It was the bust area that he really wanted to question. The once laced front was ripped and torn, revealing parts of her white undergarments and flashes of milky skin in some places. If he wasn't mistaken he thought he even saw flecks of blood at her left ribs.

Now assuming her appearance had something to do with her request, Inuyasha wanted to see how much information he could get from her.

"Why would you want to go to the Underworld?"

"My reasons are my own."

"Well then you can stay here in these woods with your reasons to keep you company." Inuyasha turned back to the stallion. "Wench." He added under his breath.

"Wait!" The sound of desperation was back. Just like when she was calling his name. He didn't like that tone.

"Why?" Curiosity clear in his tone.

"I will give you anything you desire."

Inuyasha turned back to her, unable to stop the suggestive look that pinned her. "Anything?" Just how desperate was she?

Between the tone of his voice and the look on his face, Kagome knew what was being suggested. Closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath, she tried to look strong.

But from Inuyasha's view, all he saw was a broken woman.

"If that is what you desire, then...I will yield." Her voice was so small, she did not meet his eyes.

Was this better than what Naraku wanted to do? Yes, at least she made this choice herself, even if it wasn't perfect. In the few moments she had spent with this man she could tell his aura was nothing compared to Naraku's. He was the lesser of two evils at this point. Ironic, with him being the ruler of the Underworld and all.

The word desperation flashed in his mind again and he pitied her. For a goddess to give up her purity to someone that was not her mate was a big deal. The biggest of deals in their society. Whatever she was running from was scaring her to the point she would offer herself to him, a stranger. No, not just any stranger, the Lord of the Underworld.

He knew the reputation he had in the mortal realm. Humans feared him to the point they would not speak his name, only referring to him as the stupid moniker Hades. He was merciless and cruel and a terrible monster. It amused him until he came face to face with the idiotic mortals. Even after death, their fear crippled them in his presence. The feeling to comfort them had long ago faded into contempt.

Seeing as this woman roamed this realm, she must have heard the humans' stories of him. But he found no fear in her eyes when she looked at him, only when she glanced around the trees. Something was scaring her, but it wasn't him.

Before he could respond, a dark shot pricked the back of his neck. He noticed the fearful change in Kagome's demeanor immediately. She stepped closer to him, hands fisting in the wrinkled fabric at her stomach "Please."

Inuyasha held out his hand to her again. She looked down at it and then back up to him. Relief washed over her face as a sliver of light returns to her eyes and he was, again, amazed by her beauty. Without a word, her lithe hand grabbed onto his.

Kagome had never been transported before. It was an ability that only the strongest of gods possessed. But she didn't think she liked it much. All in an instant she felt her head spin and then stop abruptly. The sensation weakened Kagome's knees but an arm snaked around her waist before she could drop to the floor.

A beat passed and Kagome looked up into Inuyasha's amber eyes. His right hand was still holding hers, now pressed against his hard chest while his left secured her flush to him.

Inuyasha smirked darkly at their closeness as he gave her waist a small squeeze before releasing her and stepping back.

Still unsure of her legs, Kagome dared not to move.

Grand was the only word that came to mind as she took in her surroundings. Dark wood covered the floors and lined the enormous staircase in front of her, a deep red covering leading up the steps. Countless candles were lit throughout the hall but the main lighting was coming from the large crystal chandelier handing above them.

"So Kagome, how long will you be gracing us with your presence?"

The way he said her name fogged her mind. Realizing what he had asked, she blushed and remained silence.

"I see. I will have a room prepared for you while you decide."

A woman in a simple dress appeared from one of the hall's side doors, "This is Sango, she will assist you with any needs or desires you have." Inuyasha gestured to the new comer. "Sango, show her to my den once she has cleaned up." And with that, Inuyasha disappeared behind a door the opposite direction Sango had come from.

Without a word, Sango started walking towards the staircase. There was a circular table under the chandelier and Kagome noticed a bowl of pomegranates decorating it. Knowing she would be hungry soon, Kagome grabbed one.

"You don't want to do that." Sango's voice was strong and startled Kagome. "The food here is bewitched, even for a god."

"Will it kill me?" Kagome asked in confusion.

"No, but it will bind you to this realm."

Kagome stared down at the fruit before returning it to the bowl.

The craftsmanship of Inuyasha's estate was beautiful. The dark wood and deep reds were present throughout the design and the candlelight gave a romantic hue to the halls. Sango led Kagome up the stairs and through a hall lined with doors. When she got to the last one, Sango turned and entered.

"I will run you a bath." She said simply before disappearing into what Kagome assumed to be the en suite.

Relief filled her at the thought of hot water. But as Kagome looked down at her torn garments her stomach filled with dread. The tattered garment only reminded her of the ordeal with Naraku. They must have a needle and thread somewhere in this estate.

"You should find everything you need in the armoire." Sango called from the bathroom threshold. Kagome looked up in question. Sango only nodded towards the wardrobe in the corner.

Kagome pulled the double doors open and was met with enough dresses to last her a lifetime. Each was different but all were beautifully crafted, far nicer than any dress she had ever worn.

Running her hands over the luxurious fabric, Kagome asked, "Does he have guests often?"

Sango snorted, "No."

Kagome turned back to the woman with her eyebrows furrowed.

"Lord Inuyasha's powers in this realm are virtually limitless." Kagome understood the implication.

"I will return when you are done." Sango said simply and left the room.

The warm water felt amazing on her aching muscles. An array of fragrances and soaps were cluttered together on a silver platter on a stool near the edge of the claw-footed tub. They all smelled divine and reminded Kagome of her fields back home. Thinking of home, she tried to conjure flower petals for the bath but they were all misshapen and lacked the appropriate pigment. Curious, Kagome tried to create a single peony in her hand. When she focused her energy she felt strange. As if she was water logged and couldn't quiet focus. It took a handful of times before she had a satisfying flower. This realm must be hindering her powers for one reason or another.

At least autumn was fast approaching. She would not have to worry about looking after the fields and flora for months. Would she still be here when spring returned? Technically, spring couldn't return if she was still in the Underworld...

She really had not thought through this plan at all. But she had no time to prepare with the events that had quickly unfolded.

Naraku had always been an ominous figure in Kagome's life, as harvest and springtime often worked closely together. He had taken a keen interest in her for as long as she could remember but something snapped in him today.

She knew what.

He had actually asked for her hand in marriage and she had refused. At first she was polite and kind in her words but his tone soon darkened and he was spouting misogynistic vulgarities at her. She wanted to spare his ego at first but after that she did not hold back her insults. He did not take kindly to that and attacked her, ready to force himself on her.

Chills ran down her back thinking of what could have happened. Then she remembered the light she emitted and burned him with. That had never happened before. Her mother had told her that she was created from the sun and a part of it burned inside of her. Little did she know she could release its powers when necessary.

Exiting the bathroom, Kagome noticed a vanity that had not been in the room prior to her entrance. Her ruined dress and undergarments were also gone. Wrapped in a warm, fluffy towel, she sat in front of the vanity to brush her long, wavy tresses. Just as in the bathroom, there were numerous glass bottles and jars filled with creams and lotions and perfumes, each smelling better than the last. She had never used such extravagant items in her lifetime. She lived a simple life, tending more to the nature than to her own appearance. Being the goddess of Springtime was a wonderfully challenging job that she hoped to continue for centuries. But again she thought of what her fate would be now that she was here hiding from Naraku.

Venturing toward the armoire again, she was amazed to find a replica of her blue dress from earlier, only now looking as if it were new. In the bottom drawers were undergarments, those too new and luxurious.

A blush crept over her cheeks thinking of the dark god using his powers to place them here. The blush receded as she recalled their "deal". Was he going to want his "payment" now? Her stomach dropped at that thought. She had run from one man she did not want to end up with another.

A sudden knock at the door alerted Kagome of Sango's return.

"Just a moment!" She called, picking a sage green, bell sleeved dress from the rack. There was intricate gold detailing around the neckline that made Kagome feel unworthy of its elegance. Her long hair was falling in full waves around her shoulders and down her back but something was missing. Waving her right hand around her head, a thin ring of small eucalyptus leaves appeared. Just as in the bath, something was off. The leaves were different and she felt a resistance in her powers. A few more waves of her hand and the eucalyptus leaves improved.

Sango did not speak as she led Kagome down more halls towards Inuyasha's den. The god's aura was so strong it filled the estate; Kagome would not have needed Sango to guide her to him.

Two great double doors with elaborate carvings was where Sango stopped. Knocking twice, she did not wait for a response before opening them for Kagome. The smell of rich pine met her as she entered, reminding her of the winters in the western forests. A fire crackled in the large hearth to her right, providing the only light in the room. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind the desk in front of her showed Kagome it was now pitch black outside. She was completely unaware of the time, or if it was even the same as the mortal realm. All she was focused on was the silver-haired man seated behind the oversized, wood desk.

His face was washed in red from the firelight, drawing Kagome closer to him. His long silver hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck while his alluring amber eyes stared down at paperwork in front of him.

Kagome's barefoot steps were silent as she approached the desk. Two, thick wing backed chairs sat across from the desk, but the goddess chose to stand between them instead. Once she was mere feet from the desk, amber eyes met Kagome's. Even in the dim light, they shined like the sun—bright and warm. Tiny prickles shot down Kagome's elbows to her fingertips at the eye contact; a sensation she had never felt before—odd.

Unwilling to focus on the strange feeling in her hands, Kagome spoke, "Thank you for the garments. They are lovely."

Inuyasha's eyes drifted from her face to look over her refreshed appearance, "I'm glad they are up to your standards." A paused filled the space between them and Kagome could feel her décolletage flush.

"Now that you are here, I need to inform you of...the procedures." Inuyasha spoke again, looking into her eyes. "You are free to roam this estate and the Asphodel Meadow. You will find the meadow fairly similar to the mortal realm so you should be comfortable there." His tone quickly changed, "Do not wander beyond there." He said ominously.

Kagome furrowed her brows but remained silent.

"There will be some inconvenience with your meals as you are aware you should not eat food created in this realm. You can trust Sango. Anything she gives to you will be safe." Inuyasha saw a slight nod in the woman's head but her face was unreadable.

"Now I believe it is your turn to share." Inuyasha's form relaxed back into his leather chair as he crossed his arms over his chest. His black tunic was loose but stretched across his biceps alerting Kagome of the strength beneath.

"Is that so?" Kagome cocked her head in amusement.

"What domain do you rule over?"

"I am the goddess of Springtime."

Inuyasha snorted but Kagome's face remained serious. "Oh, you're being serious? What do you do? Make the flowers grow?" He laughed condescendingly.

Anger bubbled in Kagome's stomach. Swiftly, she waved her hand up and across her body and a single red rose speared the god in his left shoulder.

"Fucking hell!" Inuyasha yelled. Pain blossomed in his shoulder and he was shocked to see the foreign flower. Pulling it out was just as painful as the thorns tore through his skin. That was no ordinary rose. He could tell by the strong burning sensation that remained even with the flower on his desk in front of him.

"Do not underestimate me, my Lord." The way she said the title sparked Inuyasha's instinctual dominance.

Kagome was baffled. When she shot the poisoned rose at Inuyasha is was as easy as breathing. There was no resistance like there was in the bath or with her makeshift crown in her quarters. This realm was doing something strange to her powers.

The dark smirk on Inuyasha's face refocused Kagome, "Oh you're a feisty one, aren't you? My apologies malady." She couldn't help but feel like that was more of a challenge than an apology.

"Next question: why did you want to come here?" Inuyasha's posture was more alert now.

"To hide." Kagome said simply.

"From?" his dark brows rose in frustration.

"Someone who cannot come here." Kagome could no longer hold his intruding gaze and stared at a spot on the wall just over his shoulder.

So she was hiding from another god then. That was interesting…

"Are you ever going to tell me who it is?"

"Unless you plan to kill him, I don't see how that matters."

"Does he deserve to die?" Inuyasha's interest peaked.

Her steel blue eyes returned to his, countless emotions swirling behind them, "A thousand times."

Inuyasha stared at her in contemplation. This Springtime goddess was completely enthralling him. It seemed her rivers ran far deeper than he initially thought.

Kagome was not uncomfortable with the silence now and stared back, taking in this man's features. His face was angular and strong, the color, sun-kissed. It complemented his bright hair nicely. And for the first time, Kagome noticed the two triangular ears perched on top of his head. They blended in perfectly behind his fringe but twitched ever so slightly.

Kagome had seen plenty of godly creatures in her time and each was more unique than the last. They all had a mortal-esque appearance with the slightest heavenly appeal. Humans always knew when they were in the presence of a god and more often than not, they found it difficult to control their desires.

"You are much...different than I imagined." Kagome's voice softened and she unashamedly roamed her gaze over him.

A spark in Inuyasha's eye was gone as quick as it came, "I learned not to roam around with blood stains on my clothes long ago, tends to frighten the mortals."

"So is what they say about you true then?" Kagome's curiosity coming out.

"Every word." His voice was thick, and radiated through Kagome's chest. She knew he was being facetious but she did not push the issue.

"It is late," His statement hung in the space between them.

Kagome turned to walk towards the double doors. She stopped half way to the handles, and turned her head to her shoulder, "Should I prepare to hold up my end of our deal tonight?" Her voice was soft and if Inuyasha were a human he would not have heard her.

She heard Inuyasha stand from behind his desk. Her stomach tightened as she sensed him walk nearer. Unwilling to be defenseless with her back to him, Kagome turned to meet her fate.

The approaching man stopped a meter before her. As she gazed up into his eyes she noticed the hardened look in them. The focus he was exerting as he looked into her eyes, he was searching for…something.

"There is nothing more divine than the screams of a woman who willingly gives herself." The double doors behind her opens on their own, although Kagome knew it was Inuyasha's doing, "Good night Kagome."

And with that, relief washed over Kagome's body like the thawing rivers in March.