In Need of a Mate

AN: It's been FOREVER * echo * School has practically stolen the life out of me. Thank God for Spring Break! * says a prayer of thanks * You should hopefully see more of me. My transfer applications are almost in and my History major and first degree is almost done. * throws party *

Thanks for all the love (and death threats if I didn't finish .-.) guys! I really appreciate it, every time I got a review I smiled and now its time to reward you! Don't worry this story won't go unfinished at all.

Inuyasha's blood takes over him every spring, every mating season. Only the strongest priestesses and priests are rounded up to place a barrier around him and Kagome is one of them. However, she does more than subdue his demon blood.

Chapter 9- Awaken The Jewel

Inuyasha sat quietly on a tree branch trying to take in the sounds of the morning. The wind was blowing gently at his clothes and hair. He closed his eyes trying to clear his mind. It's been a full week since his last transformation, something he was thankful for. Also a full week since he somehow managed to successfully mark his mate. Kagome.

'Ready Mate?' Inuyasha's voice filled her mind and body with copious amounts of need, pleasure, and want. Kagome shivered as she felt his thumbs brush over her hips, and she moaned as she felt the engrossed tip at her entrance.

Inuyasha was way past self-control. So lost in the haze of pleasure and youkai he did not take notice of his red stained claws. He snapped his hips forward cushioning himself against her plump round ass. Kagome mewled at the sheer force of the thrust. Her knees scraping against the uneven edges of the ground. Inuyasha draped himself over her back as he began to short stroke her core. Kagome gasped at the pleasure that shot through her as she felt him clamp his teeth on her mark, pinning her to him. Kagome hardly took notice of the blood that dripped from her shoulder or the fact there was a building presence of youkai and reiki approaching their abode.

Inuyasha growled huskily into her neck sending shivers down Kagome's body. She mewled as she felt her orgasm hit her and her walls grip Inuyasha. Inuyasha felt his impending orgasm. His sac tightening with each thrust her gave her body, pounding her body into euphoric oblivion. Inuyasha felt his muscle bunch at his release that was approaching. He was closer with every thrust, one— his ear swiveled towards the cave entrance two—his teeth dug in deeper causing more blood to flow, three—he pulled out just as a staff flew by his head imbedding itself into the wall of the cave.

Kagome

Inuyasha frowned at his thought. She's been out of it since we got out that cave. Fuck. Inuyasha gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw. His claws dug into his palms as he tightened his fists. His aura darkened as he thought about what almost happened.

'I'm going to die!' She shouted in her mind, the tears beginning to slide down her face. 'I know you can hear me!'

Inuyasha's youkai stopped in movement to look back at his mate. He crawled back to her body scooping her in his arms. His nose crinkled at the overwhelming scent of blood and fear that she gave off. He let out a whine as he looked at her wound.

"Mate." Inuyasha whispered hoarsely. He brought his wrist to this mouth tearing open his flesh. Inuyasha moved Kagome's head closer to his wound trying to get her to drink his blood.

"I can't drink your blood." Kagome murmured weakly, her vision becoming blurry with each passing second.

'You have to.' His mind whispered against hers. His mind was too dark to utter words. Inuyasha raised his wrist closer to her lips and Kagome latched on despite herself. Her need to live overpowering her instincts. She began drinking, finding that his blood tasted sweet and rich. Tasted of something dark and animalistic, like him.

"My first mate and I nearly kill her. Great. This is why no one likes hanyous." He grumbled to himself adjusting his position on the branch.

"I was under the impression no one liked hanyous simply because they are half-breeds." Came a voice from below, cold and calculating with a hint of sympathy.

Inuyasha ignored his brother.

"This Sesshomaru does not understand why you sulk in that tree while your mate has yet to wake."

"Well I bet you didn't kill Rin when you marked her." Inuyasha mumbled.

"No." Came the simple answer.

"It's cause you're not a filthy half-breed." Inuyasha said the last part more to himself; nevertheless his brother caught all the words. In a flash Sesshomaru was on the branch with Inuyasha.

"It is no matter that you are a half-breed Inuyasha, our father's blood runs through your veins. You're in a class all your own."

Inuyasha scoffed at his brother's words.

"Who hit you in the head fluffy?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at Inuyasha's words. Inuyasha turned his head only to see his brother's eyes before Inuyasha found himself face down in the dirt. Sesshomaru's hand was wrapped tightly around his neck as he crouched down next to Inuyasha's prone form.

"This Sesshomaru does not find himself enamored at the name fluffy." Inuyasha's response was made unintelligible because of the position Sesshomaru restrained him in.

"Speak hanyou." Sesshomaru said releasing his hold.

"I can only imagine what you do to Rin when she calls you fluffy." Inuyasha smirked as his brother's face flushed. "It's okay I won't tell anyone." Inuyasha began walking away from his brother towards the castle.

I'm dangerous transformed and helpless when I'm human. Kami cut me some slack.

Inuyasha was so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn't question it when he ended up outside the room that Kagome's scent wafted room. Squaring his shoulders he slid the door open and stepped inside. He noticed a glow surrounding her, reminding her of the jewel he found next to her body only a week ago.

Shit. Inuyasha grumbled as he ran his hand through his hair. I have no idea what to say to this wench. To think I actually successfully mated her without killing her.

Inuyasha moved closer as he sat down crossed legged next to her prone form.

Okay wench let's see how long it takes for you to actually wake.

Miroku and Sango had returned to the castle with Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and a passed out Kagome. Unfortunately Kagome had yet to wake and Inuyasha was still sulking somewhere in the forest. Sango being too hesitant to ask neither of the Western Lords or Ladies of the house about Inuyasha, and since her only friend was passed out, she settle for the next best thing, Miroku. They had been sitting outside in the koi garden for a few minutes when Sango decided to break the increasing silence.

"Miroku."

"Yes Sango."

Do you think Kagome will be okay?

"From my understanding she should be, as for Inuyasha. I'm not sure. He seems more sullen then usually."

Sango stared at Miroku as they both held the comfortable silence between them.

They had been sitting on the asses when Kagome left, and when Inuyasha left they worried. No one seemed to share their concerns until Sesshomaru had sensed Inuyasha's youkai near the mountains. Sango still couldn't believe what they saw when they found Inuyasha and Kagome together. Sango wondered what could possibly cause a youkai to mate a miko.

"Miroku." Sango said gently. "How long have you been here?" She asked looking down at her hands.

"I've been here for about 3 summers. Sango what's wrong?" Miroku asked concerned at the sudden turn of their conversation.

"It's just." Sango swallowed the lump that was growing in her throat. "I miss you." She said looking into his violet eyes.

"It's been so long since we were together and I got to see you." Miroku's eyes twinkled and Sango flushed a deep red at her response.

"My dearest Sango, we will be together soon." Miroku smiled reassuringly and Sango returned it ten fold. They're hands remaining in their laps but their eyes conveyed all the love they had for each other.

"Why would Inuyasha mate Kagome?" Sango asked finally getting to the hard question. She stared long and hard into Miroku's eyes when he finally sighed.

"If what I know is correct, I think it's because of Kikyo." Miroku moved from his position on the ground standing to look around them, to look for prying ears.

"Who is Kikyo?" Sango looked at Miroku, puzzlement filling her eyes.

"Someone I wish Inuyasha never met."

Inuyasha's eye flicked as sounds started to fill his ears.

'When did I fall asleep?' He thought as he opened one eye, glancing at his surroundings. He let out a yawn as he stretched baring his fangs in the process. His back was against the wall as sleeping next to the barrier Kagome was producing in her sleep was not a wise idea.

Inuyasha jerked up slightly when he realized it was the middle of the day and he wasn't lost to his youkai. In fact he was still his regular old hanyou self. Inuyasha ran a clawed hand through his mane, his ears flicking in relief until he actually took notice that Kagome was still asleep.

"I keep thinking this is all a dream." He looked at his claws. "No going back now. She's marked and I'm a hanyou." 'But for how much longer?'

Inuyasha moved closer to Kagome's prone form. He watched as her chest rose and fell in a steady tempo. Her eyes kept fluttering and she seemed to be waking up.

"C'mon wench wake, we have to deal with your mating mark." He said more to himself as he watched her body stir and the barrier fade.

Kagome felt like someone dragged and dropped her 100 feet. Her muscles hurt in places she didn't even think possible. She could feel a draft of cold air that she hadn't noticed before. Kagome let out a groan as she rolled her body on her left side pushing herself up into an upright position. She glanced around her before taking notice of Inuyasha who was staring at her with a look she couldn't identify.

"You're okay." Kagome stated as she smiled warmly at him. Inuyasha's jaw went completely slack. He gaped at her as she continued to smile at him.

"Kami, are you nuts wench?" Inuyasha mumbled more to himself than her, as her smile faded. Inuyasha looked back at Kagome and noticed her crestfallen expression. She looked more on the brink of tears than anything at the moment.

"Do you have any idea what I could've done to you?!" Inuyasha shouted, his anger suddenly rising, with himself. Kagome looked at him with big brown watery eyes that reduced his anger a couple notches. Inuyasha let out a deep sigh of frustration.

"Do you remember what happened?" He wished so many things were different. That he didn't almost kill his mate, even if he hardly knew her. Inuyasha scoffed at his own thoughts.

'She's my mate and a miko. Not to mention she looks like her. Shit.'

"I do." Kagome squeaked out, her voice tight from her tears.

"Shit. I'm sorry. Don't cry, okay. I understand if you don't want to be mated to me." Inuyasha frowned as these words left his mouth. Kagome looked at him confused.

"I thought you wouldn't want to be mated to me." Kagome said quietly burying her head into her hands. "Being a priestess and all." She mumbled quietly to herself.

"You're absolutely crazy you know that wench." Inuyasha responded. Kagome pulled her hands away to look at him, secretly admiring his eyes.

"This is an absolute shit fest." Inuyasha's ear twitched in response to the sigh that left Kagome's mouth. Kagome turned her head away from him, her eyes catching the clothes she was dressed in.

'Definitely not my miko robes.'

"Look," Kagome looked up at Inuyasha as he got her attention, hanging onto his every word. "This isn't great, but I didn't exactly finish. We have to finish…bonding."

Kagome gasped as she realized what he was saying. Her eyes searching his frantically for the truth in what he was saying.

"How do we finish then?" Kagome asked her face turning crimson. Her mind quickly flashed back to that night and both occupants of the room became aware of Kagome's sudden arousal.

Inuyasha took a deep breath as Kagome's face turned redder from the images that passed through her mind.

'What the fuck is this wench thinking about? Is she trying to kill me with her scent.' Inuyasha felt the hold on his youkai wane a little. It was still spring after all.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at Kagome. While she was looking elsewhere he assessed her completely.

'This girl has to be a few fucking sheep short of a full fucking herd, there's no other explanation for this shit.'

Inuyasha felt his youkai claw at the surface of his consciousness. His marking having been interrupted left his youkai excitable. Unstable.

"You're fucking crazy." He said quietly. Kagome's eyes narrowed.

"What?" She sneered, her quiet disposition evaporating.

"I said you're fucking crazy. You're a miko! We CAN'T be mated!" Inuyasha shouted slamming his hands on the wooden floor, leaving dents.

"Well guess what ass face we are! I came to help! So I'm helping!" Kagome shouted, her face flushing.

"So you thought you'd just show up and mate the youkai crazed hanyou!" Inuyasha shouted back.

"No! But I did!"

"Bitch." Inuyasha sneered his temper getting the best of him.

"Asshole." Kagome said glaring at him. Her anger causing her aura to darken in color and effect the jewel that had ben hung around her neck.

"Ouch!" Kagome gasped, as the jewel burned her skin. "What is this?" She asked rolling the jewel around in her palm.

"Hell if I know, it came out of your body. You should know!" Inuyasha responded his arms seeking refuge back into his sleeves.

Kagome stared at the jewel. 'Why is it so dark?' Kagome concentrated on happy thoughts, and for some reason as her mind travelled back to that night the jewel began to glow bright pink. As her thoughts cooled so did the intensity of the jewel's color.

"How are you doing that?" Inuyasha asked, genuinely intrigued.

"I don't know." Kagome said rolling the jewel around once more.

From the corner of the room came a voice that had gone unnoticed by Kagome or Inuyasha for that matter.

"After all this time, I would have never imagined to see that jewel or you again."