Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

To Protect the Alpha Female	By : Sylean Category: InuYasha > General Views: 10682 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I do not make a profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
Chapter 21: To Perceive Intentions

They had been chasing after the scent of water and flowers, just like Naraku’s newest puppet possessed, for the last few days when they settled down for camp in the woods. So far, they had yet to find the exact source of water that matched the scent; it was starting to feel like a wild goose chase. The Band of Seven was nowhere to be found either. Evening tasks long taken care of, Kagome was settled down in her sleeping bag near the fire to do what she seemed to do every chance she got: read. But this time, she sat there, twitching in mild horror and thinking to herself, ‘What the heck did I just read?’ She knew the book had been leading up to something, but never had she expected this! This tome, it was not just a history book or a collection of lessons, it was an instruction manual; a mating instruction manual! Now she understood why he wanted her to read this; understood his continued intentions for her. He wanted her to comprehend what he was after; there was no other explanation, he must still be chasing her. She was so in shock, she barely retained any of the information within. Should she reread it, and really soak up this once in a lifetime information, or close the book now and pass, decline his advances and make her stand? Just reading it won’t hurt anything, right? I can still say no. Her curiosity was burning to continue, but her virginal modesty was screaming run!

Hesitantly, as if she had just closed the book on a viper waiting to strike, she peered back inside, making sure she was facing her friends so no one could look over her shoulder and see what she was reading and looking at. There were even diagrams and paintings of the acts. She was sure her face was brighter than Inuyasha’s fire rat robe by now, but she really wanted to know. This might even be new information to Sango, and she had studied demon habits her whole life.

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Courting and Mating Rituals:
- Declaration of Intent
- Proof of Strength
- Ability to Provide
- Bond by Grooming
- Demonstration of Control
- Consent to Mark, Mate, and Pup
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The table of contents, so to speak, had not looked too foreboding or graphic, they were simply the measures needed to be taken for a courtship, but once she got into the details of what each step entailed, she contemplated if she now regretted it. Did she really want to know the explicit details involved in an Inu courtship and mating? The answer leaned much more towards yes; knowledge was power. There was no reason to be ignorant. Starting over, this time prepared for what she was about to find, Kagome began reading the first part:

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Declaration of Intent

When a female is deigned worthy, by which ever means the situation calls for, intentions must be voiced clearly, conveying the position her suitor wishes for her to occupy. This includes the station and title she will hold, offspring to be produced, and depth of the connection sought.

Once assent is given, the ritual is concluded by scent marking, any manner is sufficient. The stronger the scent mark the more insistent the courtship. The mark may be challenged, but in doing so, the contender that overstepped his bounds may rightfully be slain, or attempt to slay the one who holds claim. The victor will appeal for the female’s consent for courtship if it is not already given.

It is customary to bestow a gift on the female in exchange for being granted the opportunity to pursue a courtship. Prime examples include an item with the suitors crest or something that would hide her form from prying eyes. Something custom to the female’s request is also acceptable.

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Kagome realized this was the ritual he observed when he came to her and first told her, “You belong to this Sesshomaru,” along with telling her he wanted pups from her and whatnot. He was telling her exactly what he wanted, none of that vague “are we dating or just seeing each other as friends, but maybe more,” garbage. She could certainly see the benefits to this system. But there was still one bit of uncertainty in her; she had declined. Did that mean he had to restate his intentions, start from scratch, or was he still part way through the process? But, how could she possibly ask? For one, it would mean admitting to having read… this, and two, it was just plain embarrassing to say out loud. She would keep watching, with this road map, she should be able to see his actions for what they were; whether or not he saw her as his still, or not.

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Proof of Strength

Allowing a courtship is akin to a female saying you have her attention. It is an opportunity, not a guarantee, in which one can display their skills. The female has already been decided to be worth the chase, but she has yet to see her suitor in the same manner. From the day she gives acquiescence, every move is judged critically.

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This was refreshing to know, that even if she did agree to let Sesshomaru court her, it was basically the same as dating in that she wasn’t obligated to go further. It was essentially like getting to know someone, in a highly structuralized way, with strict rules, and obscure meanings, but still.

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Keeping one’s intended safe from outside harm is the most basic, and most essential way to prove one’s capabilities. No harm must befall the one being pursued. Strength can also be demonstrated in the form of duels, where both engage in mock battles or training exercises.

The rush of battle is prime territory to urge the activity towards one of a more heated nature, thus advancing through the rituals at a substantial pace. By pinning one’s intended, dominance can be established before it ever becomes an issue. In addition, it works to prime the female’s body for later measures to be taken, inciting her lust and-

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“Are you alright, Lady Kagome?” Miroku inquired upon noticing the fevered look on her face.

“Yes! Fine! I’m not doing anything!” she responded much louder and higher pitch than necessary while simultaneously slamming the book shut. On that same page was a diagram of just how to “pin” a female down, obviously meant to be a teasing position more so than a restraint. It was even so detailed as to depict minor wounds, still dripping blood, and gave off the feeling that the heat between them was nearly palpable. It didn’t take much imagination to picture Sesshomaru being just as excited by a battle initiated high as the male in the picture.

“What’s your problem now?” Even Inuyasha, in all his notorious density, could see through that lie.

“No problem,” she continued trying to explain her blush away all while “not” thinking of that picture, or its description. “I was just reading.”

“It must have been quite an interesting story,” Miroku observed as Kagome flinched. “By all means, please forgive my interruption and continue.” Yeah right! She couldn’t read any more right now; she was far too embarrassed and self-conscious. She would continue once they all went to sleep.

It hadn’t taken long until even Inuyasha was unconscious to the world around him, senses still tuned in to detect danger, but not the harmlessness of her reading. She used a small flashlight, buried under her sleeping bag like a tent, and finished off the tome. She knew Sesshomaru meant it to be a means to educate herself, but it was hard not to think about that last chapter as being some form of demon erotica. Did it need to be that explicit? But then, if it hadn’t been, there would have been a few things she wouldn’t have understood. In some instances, it was the pictures, the oh-so-very detailed paintings, that explained a concept better than the words could. These images were worth far more than 1,000 words, as the saying goes. At least this sexual education course was not full of giggling girls and perverted boys, it was only she, and no one needed to know… except Sesshomaru, he would obviously know… It seemed, the awkwardness was not over yet; she still had to give the book back, signaling she had read it in its entirety.

Working her way down to the stream that laid only a short walk from camp, Kagome lugged her bag, with everything inside, with the intent of filling up their water bottles before continuing on in their search for Naraku. She had not expected to be faced with that awkward situation so soon, for there stood Sesshomaru on the bank.

“Kagome,” he addressed.

She tried to swallow down the images before her blush consumed her face. “Sesshomaru,” she returned the acknowledgement. He did not miss that his title was missing from her lips once again, strange girl. She set her pack down and began rifling through it, finding the object she sought. Despite the last chapter being embarrassing and difficult to get through, the book overall was very enjoyable. “Here’s your book back. It was very… uh, educational.” She maintained a smile to hide her unease, hoping that he wouldn’t mention anything about the last section.

‘She read it quickly,’ he noted, accepting the return. It had served its purpose, as observable by the color coming to her face.

“I was wondering though,” she admitted. He had to have had a reason for lending this book to her, a book that detailed mating rituals. ‘He must have wanted me to learn about him and his kind, learn what he wanted to do. Does he still want that, even after I turned him down? I don’t see any other answer.’ “Why did you want me to know this?” His look said it all and she turned her gaze away. “I thought so… I still don’t understand why you want me, it’s not like I’m powerful.”

‘This again,’ he wondered how long it would take for her to notice her self-worth. A lack of confidence was never something he had to grapple with; it eluded him. “I have already told you my reasons,” he reminded, not about to repeat himself. She withstood his claws, twice now, why did she doubt herself so?

“You’re not going to change your mind about me, are you,” it was not a question. “You do remember that I’m human, right? Any kids we-”

“Pups,” he corrected.

She sighed, but continued with his terms, “Any pups we might have would be half-demons, the very thing you deride Inuyasha for being. I highly doubt you would want your heir to be a half-breed.” If he couldn’t understand her emotional reasons, maybe logic would get through to him.

“They would not be,” he was sure he was strong enough to overpower her holy aura and produce a full-blooded demon heir.

“Uhh…” her mind floundered at his use of plural, but shook it away, “have you ever studied genetics? Because human is the only gene I can give them.”

“You are not only human,” Sesshomaru implied towards her Tenshi origins.

“I already told you, I am not some half-angel,” she waved her hands around in some kind of gesture that was lost to him. “My parents are both human.”

“Why do you resist so?” he inquired curiously. This female was difficult to understand and her excuses were making less and less sense to him.

Kagome crossed her arms. Now it was her turn to refer to the past, “I already told you why.” ‘Love; I want to be loved, not just… bred.’ Very obviously changing the subject, “Anyways, what brings you here this time?”

“Another lesson; you will wield Tessaiga,” he didn’t even wait for her answer as he directed her back towards her companions. Well, that answered one question; he was definitely working his way through the courting rituals. Training and sparring were different ways to prove strength, not like he needed to; she was well aware of how strong he was. What concerned her, was if he would try to pin her or not. Kagome gulped nervously at the thought; he had better not. She didn’t even notice when they entered camp until Sesshomaru’s voice demanded, “Inuyasha, give the Tessaiga to Kagome.”

“What? No way!” he held the sword tighter, as if that would keep it protected. It being in his possession was the only sure way to keep Sesshomaru from hurting her, but then, he had declared intent, so he wasn’t quite sure what stance Sesshomaru now had towards the girl.

“It’s ok, Inuyasha,” Kagome tried to calm him. “I’ll give it right back.”

“Would you rather she use Tokijin, Whelp?” Sesshomaru let his alternative explain why he had need of the sword.

“No way am I touching that thing!” that sword scared her, after seeing it posses its maker, she was not about to even try.

“Why not just let her use Tenseiga?” Inuyasha bargained.

“Inuyasha, you are truly an idiot; if she used Tenseiga, then what other sword in my possession would she be faced with?” the pups ears flattened; Tokijin. “I intend to use Tenseiga to avoid harming her.”

“Keh,” he scoffed but pulled the sword and sheath free. “This is not some trick to take Tessaiga is it?” Sesshomaru only glared before turning and walking away, trusting Kagome would know to follow. He didn’t grace Inuyasha’s paranoia with a response; he would not stoop to trickery.

“Thank you, Inuyasha,” Kagome received the sword. “I’m sure we won’t be long, then we can continue looking for the shards.” Honestly, she wasn’t sure of anything, but if it would calm him, it was worth it. She ran to catch up, and then continued walking at Sesshomaru’s side with Tessaiga, inside its hilt, grasped in both hands. “I’ve never used a sword before,” she admitted, letting him know that if he intended to teach her, he needed to start from scratch.

“As is obvious,” he could see it in her grip, far too tight, and in her movements, choppy, as if she was holding a tool rather than an extension of herself.

‘Hmph, he doesn’t have to be so arrogant about it,’ she told herself as they emerged in a large meadow. The grass and wildflowers were taller than she was, she could barely see anything. ‘He’s lucky,’ she thought as she noticed he towered above the stalks.

Seeing her jump as if to try and see above the grasses was almost amusing, but it would not be conducive to training. A pity that human senses were so dull; she relied on sight since she had yet to master her suppressed powers. Summoning his acid whip, he sliced down all the growth, save for the spot she currently stood which was halfway trampled anyways.

One second she was standing in a lush meadow, and the next, all the vegetation was falling flat to the ground. She caught the glimpse of his acid whip retracting back into the tips of his claws, indicating just what her eyes had been unable to follow. “You cut down all the flowers,” she observed sadly. This meadow had been so beautiful, even if it was overgrown; he didn’t need to cut them all down.

“Unsheathe the fang,” he instructed as he moved across the newly cut field.

“Oh, ok,” she gripped the hilt and tried to pull it free, but with her second hand on the center of the sheath, her arm span could not complete the task. “One second, I’ll get it.” Repositioning her grip to the end of the hilt, she tried again, this time getting it free, but then was uncertain what to do with the sheath. She set it on the ground next to her, hoping she didn’t look like a complete idiot. Who was she kidding, Sesshomaru could have killed her ten times over in the time it took her just to get the sword out of its sheathe. Was it even possible to feel this mortified?
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To Protect the Alpha Female