It had been nearly four days since Kagome had begun her work. Tsuki was growing concerned because her human seemed so focused on her task she did not seem to be eating or resting unless prompted by herself of the young fox.

They had captured two simple tanukis, one infected and one who seemed to be immune to the illness. Of course the sentimental Kagome had named them, Kibo and Kyusai.

Salvation and Hope. The dog demoness shook her head as she carefully watched the priestess lift the infected beast from it's cage.

Kagome's expression was sorrowful as she placed a simple muzzle loosely on it's face before channeling her holy energy through the creature. At first it seemed like nothing was happening and then suddenly Kibo tensed, screeching in pain and thrashing against Kagome's grasp, sharp teeth getting uncomfortably close to her fragile, if gloved skin.

Tsuki acted on instincts, stepping closer with her demon speed and pulling the raging beast from her grasp and stuffing it in the cage before checking over her human.

Kagome was too upset at the creatures reaction to feel embarrassed at the dog's attention, her eyes filling with frustrated tears. " I could almost feel some progress and then it started attacking my energy and it hurt him." She blubbered, throwing her hands at her side.

While she hated Kagome being upset, she did find her reaction incredibly endearing." Is there anything I could do? " she offered, sliding her arms around the smaller female's waist and pulling her closer, hoping maybe to embarrass her into forgetting her reasoning for being upset or else entice her to another kiss. Either worked just fine for the silver dog.

Kagome's cheeks heated slowly as she looked up, azure eyes meeting impish golden and she jerked backwards, earning a tinkling laughter from her tormentor. While Tsuki had proven a good friend and ally to have, she also seemed to enjoy making her uncomfortable in a whole new plethora of ways.

" It's past time you ate. Your food is growing cold." She reprimanded her human sternly, though her gaze stayed soft." Certainly you do not always neglect yourself so?" she questioned the Raven haired beauty. Enjoying her reward of a deeper flush she almost did not catch the strange scent from Kagome's food once she uncovered it.

Red covered the demon's vision as she ripped the tray from her hands, startling Kagome in her haste to keep the human from sampling the tainted food. " You will only eat in my rooms from now on. Your kit is already in the habit as you've been leaving him to take his meals alone or with myself." She said a bit more harshly than she meant to. She was trying not to panic her, but didn't want her to consume the tainted food.

" What do you think you're doing? That was mine!" Kagome huffed feeling her hunger now that she was broken from her focused trance. Perhaps a bit of her bratty tone was caused by guilt from her words. Her eyes widened when Tsuki plucked a piece of meat from her tray and popped it in her mouth, seeming to take her time chewing the food before turning away, absently gesturing at Kagome to follow her.

Kagome almost considered not following her but a strange cough from the regal demoness drew her attention instantly. Tsuki looked pale, sweat beading her brows as her body worked to absorb the poison meant for her human, needing only a few more minutes for her body to absorb the toxin and add it to her arsenal.

Kagome panicked, seeing the powerful demoness effected like that from something meant for her. Kagome stilled, putting two and two together. She knew. She realized the food was poisoned and that's why she took it. But why?! She realized she had been perhaps a little too devoted to her task but certainly not for her friend to poison herself over it.

Tsuki let out a low groan, the sound just over a growl as she doubled over, arms around her waist. Kagome bent beside her, ignoring the sound of the plate clattering to the floor. The dog demon's face had shifted slight, holding a dangerous feral edge to her typically aristocratically refined features. She found herself caged against the deceptively soft form, their lips bound once more, only this time was far more primal and demanding.

Panicking, Kagome's power flared, making red eyes widen as she was released. Dainty clawed fingers covered Tsuki's lips, eyes fading to Golda's se recovered herself.

" Apologies for stepping out of line my dear. I was so very worried about you. I can not say what came over me " she said sincerely, not having intended to so boldly claim her lips again so soon without having gotten her to agree to it. The blissful taste of her little human coating her lips topped the zing of her holy power was intoxicating though and it was all she could do not to claim another kiss. Time for redirection, her specialty.

" The poison was reptilian in nature, one I had not yet had the pleasure of absorbing. It is no longer an issue" She said straightening her flawless kimono. " I believe your kit has been missing you. I have some duties to attend and I will join you both shortly." She said, raising a hand and summoning a servant Kagome didn't recognize. A cool smile sent her way was all that Kagome was left with as the demoness glided away soundlessly.

Kagome enjoyed Shippo's antics as he reenacted his shenanigans and his lessons for her, not seeming phased by the days of Kagome obsessing over her work. Good food, safe this time as it was checked by three different guards apparently, and some time with her adopted child had her feeling a bit better, the sun warming her and working with her full stomach to leave her sleepy. Shippo saw her eyes growing heavy and jumped at the chance to get to nap with her again, greedily hogging whatever time he could with her. He could feel a growth spurt coming soon and he was not sure if she would still let him curl up with her if he was bigger.

Golden eyes watched them for a minute, gleaming with watch before she doubled the guard around the sleeping figures and slid towards the recently occupied work room. Scooping up the infected Kibo she absently stroked the terrified muzzled creature as she glided down the halls of her floating castle, to the cool dank dungeons. Kagome refused to risk any demons intentionally trying to infect them, so Tsuki would get her own answers without risking her pure Miko's conscience. Wordlessly her guards brought her the rat responsible for the attempt on her intended's life. The pathetic creature had been a refugee, seeking asylum after being captured and tortured by a clan of some lizard tribe or another. She had not really cared, thinking him beneath her. Her perfect cold mask in place she looked down her nose at the pathetic creature that trembled before her, whimpering and pleading his case in his wheedling voice.

" Please my lady, I would not have done this willingly! They have my young! They tortured me, I didn't have a choice!"

The barest sneer curled her lips as she narrowed her golden eyes, " Your mate will have another and be with a new litter faster than a human could make a single new spawn. My packs worth far exceeds treacherous, spineless vermin such as you. However, this one shall be generous. You are being offered a chance to redeem yourself by potentially saving all demon kind." She said, her whole being a perfect iteration of ice.

Swallowing sharply the fearful rodent jerked against the guards holding him in terror as the lady smiled. There was no warmth in it, the hand stroking the furred beast she held adroitly removing the muzzle on it's head, grabbing the creature by the scruff and dropping it's weight suddenly. Startled Kibo screeched and clawed and snapped at whatever it could reach, which happened to be the nameless rat before him, rending the rat's flesh in it's panic. Satisfied with her work she pulled the creature back to her breasts, rumbling soothingly as she turned her back on the demon" keep a close eye on him. Inform me if any changes immediately." She ordered. Returning Kibo to his cage she gave him a treat and decided she would take her pack to her rooms to finish their nap.

Lifting the sleeping pair easily she carried them herself to her own room, guards shadowing them until she dismissed them at her door. It was no issue for her to settle them into her furs, curling around the pair after she had taken down her hair and she'd all but her innermost kimono. Her mokomoko wrapped around them all and she let out a pleased rumble when both the kit and her intended nuzzled into her offered warmth.

She could not continue putting off her declaration to the human , especially after acting on her impulse in the hallway after the attempted assassination attempt. They all would gossip and chatter about it. She knew it, she simply didn't care as long as she was able to seduce and claim her prize.

Her dreams were filled with thoughts of lost innocence and sweat coated flesh and delightful cries of pleasure.

Kagome woke far more comfortably than she had in a long time, rolling in the warmth surrounding her before letting out a stretch that drew a pleasure filled groan from her lips before her arm bumped another form, making her jump. A startled squeak escaped her as she realized who was in the bed with her, eyes wide as she also took in the fact she was not in her own room. Scrambling off of the lush futon onto the cold floor seemed to wake the demoness who sat up gracefully. Her nearly sheer inner kimono parted almost to the point of indecency, the woman shifting on to all fours and stretching out her arms as she curved her body much as a dog would when waking from a nap.

Cheeks heating Kagome clapped her hands to her face to shamefully hide her inappropriate reaction to what was a simple, innocent morning stretch. Nothing wrong with her doing that, nothing sexy about it at all.

Sitting up in her knees Tsuki smiled directly at Kagome, " Did you enjoy your nap?" she asked innocently, sharp eyes taking in the pink tinging the younger woman's face with a smug smirk.

Stuttering a response Kagome looked away, nervously fiddling with her own kimono, both kisses from the demoness before her playing in her mind.

" Something has you upset little one." Came her gentle tone. Glancing away Kagome struggled for words that wouldn't offend the generous dog before her.

Seeming to pick up on the cause if her distress she let out a tinkle of laughter," Pack often sleeps together my dear. Do not worry. Others will not talk of seeing you or the kit coming or going from my room, though if you are worried there is a adjoining door through the spring room." She assured her, carelessly shedding her kimono to head toward the aforementioned spring, leaving her mokomoko on the still sleeping kit. " You will join me won't you? Grooming is an essential part of pack bonding." She said with a brilliant smile that left Kagome with many confused and conflicted emotions she shouldn't be feeling.

Exhaling deeply she told herself it was no different than how she and Sango bathed together. Completely and totally the same… except she had never kissed Sango, or had embarrassing dreams of her… shaking her head to clear it she chided herself for being ridiculous. She followed the dog demoness to the bathing room, assuming it was best not to make the dog wait.

.-...-.ANso, its been a good while, so sorry about that. I dont really have an excuse beyond life and insanity and writers block. I hope you all enjoy this and it makes up for it. thanks for reading, please dont forget to review!

Kyusai -salvation

Kibo- hope