InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Elemental: A Feudal Soap Opera ❯ Chapter Seventeen ( Chapter 17 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

In the previous chapter...

He stared at her through his lashes, but she just looked confused. He sighed, and reached inside the front of his haori, drawing out the small box that her mother had given to him. He thrust it at her. “Here.”

She looked at the box, then back up at him. He noticed that her hand trembled as she held it. “Is this...is this something else you got from Sesshoumaru?” She asked, voice hesitant.

He shook his head. “I’ll explain in a minute,” he said with a rueful half-smile. “Open it.”

Still, she hesitated for a moment, and Inuyasha got the feeling that she was fearful, but before he could take it back and open it for her, she was prying the lid from the top of the little box. Inuyasha watched her face carefully.

She gasped softly, then lifted stunned eyes to his. Inuyasha fidgeted for a moment while she remained silent, and then she was closing the last bit of distance between them, throwing her arms around his neck and pressing her mouth to his. He smiled into the kiss, a relief he wasn’t expecting filling him, and hugged her tightly to him. It was a chaste, albeit enthusiastic, kiss, and after just a moment, she pulled back and gave him a shy smile.

He gave her a toothy grin in return. “I guess I can take that as a yes, right?”

***

Chapter Seventeen

***

Inuyasha tried his best not to fidget as Miroku’s chanted prayer droned on and on. The purifying smoke from the incense in the monk’s swaying censer burned the inuhanyou’s sensitive nose and made his eyes water. He wanted this ceremony over with. The only thing that kept him quietly on his knees was the similarly kneeling girl at his side. She had been so joyful when he had presented her with her parent’s ceremonial wedding sake cups. He stole a glance at her out of the corner of his eye. She was solemn now, having retreated back into her recent shy behaviour almost immediately. Inuyasha suppressed a sigh.

Thankfully, he wasn’t given time to brood. The monk’s prayer had ended, and Kagome was being presented with the first of the three sake cups. She took the first sip, a delicate pink staining her cheeks, and then the second and third sip before raising her eyes to Inuyasha and handing him the cup. He carefully turned the cup so that he could place his lips where hers had been and took three slow sips, eyes never leaving hers. Kaede handed Kagome the second cup, and then the third, with both the miko and the hanyou repeating the process each time. Finally, there were no more cups and, after a final blessing from Kaede, the couple got to their feet, taking the few steps needed to reach the base of the Goshinboku tree before laying down the pieces of blessed tree that they both had been holding. When they were done, they turned to face their friends. Miroku was smiling at the both of them, Sango looked teary-eyed, Shippou looked bored, and Kaede looked pleased for them.

Inuyasha just felt impatient. “So...um...we’re married now?”

Kagome huffed at him, and Miroku snickered. “Yes, young hanyou. You are married now.” Kaede answered him, although her smile had grown amused.

Inuyasha spared a glare for Miroku. “Good,” he replied simply, turning to scoop up a surprised Kagome and swing her onto his back. “We’ll be back in three days.” Ignoring Kagome’s protests and Miroku’s full blown laughter, he leapt into the trees, setting a pace that only Kilarra could have hoped to follow. Kagome immediately quieted down and tightened her hold around him.

After a few moments of travelling in such a manner, she broke the silence. “We didn’t have to leave so quickly, Inuyasha,” she said, a note of reproach in her voice.

“I don’t want them following us,” he replied gruffly. “Besides, we don’t really have time to screw around with them, now do we?” She stiffened at his words, and he regretted them almost immediately. His fingers tightened on her thighs, trying to convey his apology. She didn’t relax, and he was glad when the cave came into view. Coming to a halt in front of it, he set Kagome down in front of him, at a loss to what to say now as the awkwardness settled over them both.

Again, Kagome was the first to speak. “Why are we stopping?”

Inuyasha had busily started sniffing around for any intruders since he had been there this morning. Satisfied that they were alone, he turned to answer her. “Because we’re here.”

Kagome arched an eyebrow. “Here?” She looked around her, only just spying the mouth of the den. “A cave?”

Inuyasha tensed at her words, but they held no censure. She simply sounded curious.

“Um...yeah,” he replied, fidgeting nervously. “It’s safe here. It’s hard to find, harder to get to, and, so far, no one knows about it but me and Myouga. And now you.”

She looked up at him, a question in her eyes.

In turn, he let his gaze fall to the ground. “It’s where I used to hide,” he said, voice low. “When I was a pup.”

Her expression softened noticeably, and she moved closer to him, placing her hand on his arm. “Thank you, Inuyasha, for sharing it with me.”

“Keh,” was his only reply, but he hid a pleased blush from her.

She cleared her throat lightly. ‘So...um...what do we...do we just...are you...” she trailed off, then made a small sound of frustration. “What now?”

Inuyasha’s face burned. “You’ll find out. There are ceremonial...requirements.”

“Requirements?”

He nodded. “Yes,” he began, and then continued on as if he were reciting a lesson. “When inuyoukai take a mate, they must prove that they can care for their chosen female. This is done first by providing them with a den.” He gestured nervously toward the cave. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t do better than a cave, Kagome, but this is the best I could think of in such little time.”

Kagome smiled at him. “It’s okay, Inuyasha. This is perfect.”

He ignored her interruption, not really believing her, and continued. “Next, I have to feed you, and a few other things before we actually...mate.”

Kagome’s eyes were wide, and he could see her nervousness grow.

Inuyasha turned his gaze to her, eyes hard, but wanting her to understand. “Don’t freak out on me now. We have to do this.” He was as nervous as she was, but they both had to become used to being intimate with each other. The sooner that they did that, the more comfortable they both would be.

“I...I know,” she said, voice small. She sounded as if she might cry. He was close to her in an instant, pulling her into a hug.

“It’s okay, Kagome. I promised I wouldn’t hurt you, and I meant it. Please don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not.”

Inuyasha gave a great sigh. “Don’t be nervous, either.” He smoothed his hands down her back, trying to calm her. She was as stiff as a tree limb. “I’ll try to make it good. Do you trust me?”

She nodded against his chest.

“Good. Let’s get you inside. I still have to go catch dinner.”

***

Inuyasha looked down at his catch with a worried frown. Three medium sized fish, and a couple of handfuls of berries, wrapped in leaves. It will have to be enough. The lateness of the day insured that the fish weren’t as active as he’d wanted, and the season had given him a sparse selection of berries. Still, though, it was more than enough for Kagome herself, and that was all he really cared about at the moment. He gave a resigned shrug, and entered the cave, eyes taking a moment to adjust to the dimmer light.

His sensitive nose located Kagome before he saw her. She was near the cave wall, sitting with legs folded on the sleeping bags. Her hands were clenched in front of her, and she had yet to look up at his entrance. Inuyasha cursed to himself as he realized that she had used his absence to work herself into a state of greater anxiety than before.

“Kagome,” he called softly, not knowing why he felt the need to speak in soft tones, but obeying the instinct nonetheless.

She lifted her head, and he was dismayed to see the worry on her face. He knew he had to get her to relax. He couldn’t do this if it felt like he was forcing her, even to save her life. She had to accept him. Kagome’s mom said that...loving Kagome...will make her happy. I have to let her know that I...that I care for her. Inuyasha cringed. Why can’t I even say it in my head? If I try to tell her, I’ll fuck it up. He sighed again, setting their dinner down near the entrance, where he had the beginnings of a small fire. He then turned and approached her slowly, lowering to his knees when he reached her. I can at least show her that I care for her. She had dropped her gaze again, and he reached out to gently lift her face. “Kagome,” he repeated. He waited until her eyes were on his again, and then he did something uncharacteristic. He smiled at her in reassurance, caressing her cheek. She smiled back automatically, and he could see her relax, just a bit. So far so good. Maybe Mrs. Higurashi was right. He decided to try some more of her advice. He began to reach toward Kagome’s hair with his free hand. “Can I?”

Kagome’s look turned confused. Inuyasha gestured toward her hair again. “Your hair. Can I take it down?” He saw the worry come back into her eyes, and hastened to explain. “It’s...pretty,” he began, having trouble with the compliment, even though he did think she was more than pretty, “but you would be more comfortable with it down, wouldn’t you?”

After a silent moment, Kagome gave a nod and turned slightly, allowing him access to her hair. He reached for the comb holding her dark hair in place cautiously, still uncomfortable and growing more so with her continued silence. He wanted her, but he wanted her to be the laughing, smiling girl from the future that she usually was. “Kagome,” he whispered, almost without meaning to. He slid the comb from it’s place and sifted his fingers through her hair, helping it fall smoothly down her back. “Will you talk to me?”

Kagome started, but she did risk a shy glance at him before looking away again. “I’m sorry, Inuyasha.” She fidgeted for a moment. “I don’t know what to talk about.”

Inuyasha swallowed hard, then reached to take her hand. I hate seeing her so uncertain. Does she really not know how I feel? I’ve tried to show her so many times. “How about you start by telling me what you’re thinking so hard about.” It was a stall tactic and he knew it, but he was travelling uncharted roads here, and he didn’t like the doubt he was feeling. What if her mom was wrong? What if Kagome is unhappy to be with me? He almost pulled away from her at the thought, but she forestalled him by speaking.

“Do you really want to know, Inuyasha?” She was staring at their joined hands.

Kagome... He gripped her hand a little tighter. “Tell me.”

Her eyes met his then, and the expression in them made him think she was asking him for something, but he didn’t know what. Nonetheless, whatever it was caused instinct to urge him to bring her closer. He hauled her into his lap, looping his arms around her. “Tell me,” he repeated, nuzzling into her hair.

He felt her relax into him, and he nearly purred in approval before he could stop himself. His instinctive responses to her were becoming stronger, and he took a deep breath to rein them in. Kagome needed this. Admit it. I need this, too. He flushed, but was happy to feel his youki recede. Finally, when he was nearly ready to repeat his request, Kagome spoke in a voice so low that without his youkai hearing he would have missed it.

“I’m terrified.”

Inuyasha tightened his arms around her, encouraging her to continue even though he was half afraid of where this would lead. Kagome complied. “I don’t know how this works, or what I’m supposed to do, and it’s making me a nervous wreck. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you. I’m afraid I’ll see regret in your eyes. Or worse, pity.” Her voice had risen a bit, and her tone had Inuyasha believing her statement about being a nervous wreck. He began to rub small circles on her back to soothe her. “I’m afraid I’ve ruined our friendship, Inuyasha,” she finished, voice quiet again.

She really doesn’t know how I feel, does she? He leaned back slightly so he could see her face. “I knew you were thinking too much.”

The girl’s eyes nearly crossed. “What?”

He smirked lightly at her. “I’ll show you how it works, you’ll know what to do, you’ll never disappoint me, and,” he said, smirk fading into a tender smile, “I will never regret being with you. I never want to not be with you, Kagome. I don’t pity you.” He hesitated for a moment, searching her eyes. “I want to protect you. You will always be my best friend. But most of all, I need you by my side.” He buried his face in her hair, hiding himself from her, but he continued on. “I don’t want to live without you, Kagome. Please.” Please understand what I am trying to tell you. He lifted his head from her hair, instincts flaring in reaction to his own anticipation of her response.

He heard Kagome’s intake of breath, saw her lips part to speak. “Inuyasha...”

His youki surged, prompting a new attempt to convince her. He took her mouth before she could finish, pouring his desperation and his fear into the act, as well as tenderness, desire, and all the other emotions that were suddenly threatening to overwhelm his senses. He broke the kiss just as abruptly as he had started it, appalled at his own behaviour.

“Inuyasha,” Kagome began again, surprising him into speechlessness when she cupped his cheek with her small hand, a look of wonder in her eyes. “You’re afraid too, aren’t you?”

Inuyasha’s first thought was to ‘keh’ and change the subject, but he stopped himself. They were to be mates--had already started the process if his rising youki were any indication, not to mention the fact that they were already joined by human standards--and he had to learn to be honest with her. So instead, he nodded, hating being so vulnerable in front of her. He craved her admiration, not her pity.

The feeling lessened when she slipped her arms around him this time. Heh. At least she isn’t acting like frightened prey anymore. Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. Which is why he didn’t scoff at her next question.

“What are you afraid of, Inuyasha?”

He pulled her arms from around his neck and set her on the sleeping bag beside him. She gazed up at him, still waiting for his answer. He gathered his courage and met her eyes. “I’m afraid I’ll lose you, that I won’t be able to protect you. I’m afraid that I’m not good enough for you, and that you’ll realize it when you find out how people will treat you for being with me. I’m afraid that Naraku, or some other bastard, will see that you are my weakness, and you’ll be hurt because of it.” Speaking the thought aloud nearly made the hanyou’s eyes bleed red, and a low growl had entered his voice. He blinked and drew a calming breath before finishing speaking, voice quieter. “I’m afraid that one day, you’ll come to your senses and realize that I’m just a hanyou, and you’ll start to hate me. You’ll realize how selfish I’ve been, because, gods help me, I’ve known that you deserved better since the first day I met you, but I still can’t help wanting you. I...damn it...I can’t say the words...I don’t know why...but you know, you have to know, how I feel. Kagome...”

Finally, an expression of blessed comprehension crossed her features. “Inuyasha,” she began, “are you saying...that you love me?” Her face went red, but she held his gaze with desperate determination.

Inuyasha felt his own face heat up in an answering blush. “More than anything.” He steeled himself for her possible rejection, even though his fluctuating youki seemed to be calling him a fool for doubting her. It seemed that his youki was right, for the next thing he knew, she was flinging herself back into his arms, nearly knocking him over. He righted them both, looking down at her in bemusement. Does this mean she likes the idea?

“Really?” She asked.

He nodded. “Really.”

She searched his eyes for a moment and seemed to find what she was looking for, because the most beautiful smile he had ever seen her wear lit up her features. “Good,” she whispered, snuggling into him, “Because I love you, too.” So I guess she does like the idea. In that instant, Inuyasha was fiercely glad that this girl was going to belong to him. Before he knew it, he was kissing her again, and this time she was kissing him back as if she couldn’t get enough of him. Her taste and scent wrapped around him like a caress, and his youki crackled and thrummed like a coming electrical storm. Things were quickly spiralling out of hand, and he regretfully left her sweet, smiling mouth behind, tucking his trembling hands behind his back so as not to frighten her with his lack of control. I want her so badly, but I can’t fuck this up. Gods, don’t let me fuck this up. The traditions had to be carried out carefully, and in order. Kagome wasn’t even wearing the cuffs to subdue her purifying energy. If she hadn’t already been wearing the necklace Kaede had made, he could have just hurt her if his youki had caused her aura to respond. The realization brought his thoughts into sharp focus, and he once again set her from him.

“I have to do this right, Kagome. I need to cook the fish now, okay?”

She nodded, but she was still wearing her sweet smile. Inuyasha turned away to prepare their dinner, feeling as if a portion of a great weight had been lifted from him. He hadn’t failed yet. Kagome was happy.

I can do this.

Kagome. I’m keeping you forever.

***

Kagome was sure that even floating on a cloud could not have made her more giddy. Inuyasha was being tender and open toward her, and he loved her. He really loved her. He might not have said the exact words, but the fact that he had admitted it was enough for her. It was enough, at least, to drown out the niggling fear that this was too good to be true.

Instead, she occupied herself thinking about the way he had kissed her--Gods!--and watching him build a quick fire to roast the fish over. He’s so beautiful, and he’s mine. He loves me. I don’t know how it happened, but I think he really, really does.

Inuyasha loves me.

Please let this work out.

***

When the fish were done, Inuyasha carefully loaded them onto the leaves with the berries and carried them to Kagome. Again kneeling in front of her, he set them down between them.

“I’m not really very hungry, Inuyasha,” she said.

He shook his head at her. “You have to eat.” He carefully pulled off a tender bit of fish and offered it to her from his fingers. She looked at him in surprise, but took it from him, wearing a light blush. His youki gave another leap as her lips closed over the tips of his fingers, drawing the flaky morsel of flesh from him, and he breathed sharply through his nose to clear away the rush of need that had hit him at the simple action. The sound drew Kagome’s attention.

“Is something wrong, Inuyasha?”

The hanyou met her eyes and watched her shiver in reaction. He decided that blunt honesty was called for now. I can’t shield her from this anymore. I don’t even want to. He discarded his pride long enough to direct her attention to his trembling hands. “I want you,” he said, voice lowered to a hoarse pitch. “The ritual, it’s already started, and my youki wants to mate with you. I want to mate with you. Badly. But I have to do this right.”

“What, exactly, do we have to do?” Kagome’s face was scarlet now, but the hanyou had caught the scent of her arousal when he had told her that he wanted her. Gods, she wants me, too. His mind couldn’t wrap around this knowledge, so he focused on breathing in her scent. It was so sweet to him, so Kagome, he nearly lost his head. However, he could also sense her miko youki trying to fight past the barrier of the subduing necklace. He cursed silently to himself for forgetting, deciding to talk to her in an attempt to calm the both of them down.

He fed her another bit of fish, struggling to ignore the warm wash of her breath over his hand. “We’re already doing the first part. Inu youkai show their willingness to provide for their mate by feeding them.” He offered her a juicy berry this time, closing his eyes as she bit into it, dark red staining her lower lip from the juices. He frantically ignored his sudden craving for berries, and the desire to taste them from her reddened mouth. Not now, dumbass. Focus. He clenched his free hand into a fist and continued on, voice sounding slightly strangled. “You show your willingness to submit to my care by accepting it from my hand.” He opened his eyes and held up another berry, giving a visible shudder as she sucked it from his fingers. I’m going to have to get those cuffs on her, and soon. Unfortunately for him, Kagome saw his shudder, and a mischievous look came into her eyes. Reaching out, she grasped his hand and licked it, seemingly mirroring his earlier thought, suckling a drop of berry juice from him. His youki came roaring to life, as did another part of him. He fought to maintain control. Not just soon. I’m going to have to get them on her now.

“We’ve already done that. What comes next, Inuyasha?” Her voice was low pitched, almost sultry, and the scent of her arousal was even stronger than before. Inuyasha felt as if he were drowning in it, and it was a death he wanted to welcome. Not. Now. Feeling dazed, he locked his eyes onto her upturned face. “You,” he began, voice cracking embarrassingly. He cleared his throat. “You aren’t hungry?”

Kagome seemed to consider her reply carefully. When she looked up at him with a smirk similar to the one he so often wore, he knew he was in trouble. “Hungry? Not for food.” She scooted a little closer to him, laying her diminutive hand on his fire-rat covered thigh. “What’s next, Inuyasha,” she repeated, voice fairly a purr.

That wench! She...She’s coming on to me! Inuyasha desperately sucked much needed oxygen into his body, then surged to his feet, pulling her with him, fighting all the while the urge that told him to mate with her, right now. He repeatedly told himself to calm down. I have to go slow. I’m not going to screw this up.

He tugged her toward the hot spring, and his words came out sounding harsher than he intended. “We bathe.”

Kagome tugged back at him, her flirtatious mood apparently gone. “Wait.”

He turned to look at her, worried that his abruptness had made her nervous again. “Why?”

Kagome cast a look around, and he saw her shiver. “It’s dark in here.”

Inuyasha stopped himself from rolling his eyes, trying hard to be patient when he felt anything but. “So?”

“So I don’t want to get into water I can’t see.” Kagome was beginning to sound agitated now.

Great. Already you’re pissing her off. “Wait here,” he murmured, hoping to placate her. He grabbed the candles Mrs. Higurashi had packed and lit them in a semicircle around the spring before turning back to her. He wouldn’t admit it to her, but the candles were a good idea. He liked being able to see her better, and the soft light made her skin nearly glow. He had to give himself a small shake to keep from staring at her like an idiot.

“Is that better?”

Her gaze had softened again. “Yes, Inuyasha. Thank you.”
“Keh. C’mon.” He grabbed her hand and led her closer to the flickering light near the spring. Gods. Here we go. I can’t believe I’m about to do this. He lifted his hands to her shoulders and looked down into her eyes. “Ready?”

Kagome’s look turned solemn, and she nodded at him. He took a deep breath and let his hands drop to her hips, searching for and finding the ties that held Sango’s simple skirt around her hips. He marvelled for a moment at how slender she felt between his palms. She’s so damned small. He felt a flash of worry, but pushed it aside as he finally worked the knots in the ties free. He pulled the fabric from her waist and let it fall to the cave floor, leaving her in her yukata. He slid his hands around to her front, parting the cloth while never taking his eyes from hers. Only when he slid the cloth from her shoulders did he dare look down. When he did, he trembled. Oh. Fucking. Gods. There stood his Kagome wearing nothing but a full body blush, shivering and giving him a look of nervous excitement. Again, his youki thrummed to life with such force that even Kagome felt it, if her startled glance were any indication.

“Inuyasha, your stripes,” she said, sounding surprised, but not afraid.

He lifted a clawed hand as if he could actually feel the demon marks before letting it drop to his side. “I can’t help it. My youki wants you. It calls to my demon blood.” He watched the pulse flutter at the juncture of her shoulder and neck. “I won’t hurt you.”

“I know,” she whispered, giving him a shy smile.

She was fidgeting nervously, and he realized that she was uncomfortable standing before him naked. He could get her into the water so she’d be more at ease, but he had to get her to put on the cuffs and collar first. He didn’t trust himself to enter the spring with her without them. Still, he didn’t want her tensing up again. Idiot. Say something. Kagome drew a deep breath at that moment, unconsciously raising her firm little breasts, nipples hardened from the chill of the cave and goose bumps pulling the pale skin taut. Inuyasha’s eyes were pulled unerringly to them. He may have been hanyou, but he was still a man. His brain stopped working just as he started to speak. “You’re beautiful like this, you know.” You really are an idiot. Now she’s going to think you’re a freaking pervert.

He was lucky, however, for she merely folded her arms over her breasts and lowered her gaze in embarrassment, but not before he saw her pleased smile. He filed away the knowledge that Kagome liked compliments from her mate, determining that it would come in handy later. For now, however, he needed to get back to the task at hand. He retrieved the box he had gotten from his half-brother and opened it, momentarily mesmerized by the gleaming bands. He half expected to be awakened at any moment. None of this felt entirely real. But it is. Kagome is about to be my mate. He shook himself lightly, facing the miko once more. She was still waiting for him patiently, an unreadable expression on her face.

Hoping she wasn’t having second thoughts, the hanyou approached her carefully, hearing his heart pounding in his ears, scenting the air as he did so. He nearly whimpered in relief. She didn’t smell like she was having second thoughts. She smelled nervous, yes, but her underlying scent was still excitement. Inuyasha felt his spirits rise as he realized once again that she wanted this, too, and his hesitant stride unconsciously became a near predatory stalk.

Kagome held very still as he came to her, although he could still see the fine tremors running through her. He gave her a small smile, then drew the ankle cuffs from the box, kneeling to place them on her. Unable to resist, he smoothed the flesh of her calves with his hands and pressed a soft kiss to her bare thigh, determinedly ignoring the more intimate areas of her body. While her nervous excitement made his pulse race, he didn’t want to frighten her by rushing her. He could not, however, stop himself from inhaling visibly, revelling in the scent of her arousal from so close. Kagome gasped and blushed wildly at his actions. He chuckled softly at her response, and stood to retrieve the two matching cuffs for her wrists. He took her hands and pressed a kiss into each palm, then fastened these on as well, still acutely aware of her softness just inches away from him, and the scent of her spiking wildly whenever he touched her. He could feel himself grow more confident, and more focused, as each golden band was locked in place. Kagome’s docile submission to his care was awakening age old instincts that he hadn’t been aware he had, and he nearly growled in approval as he finished with the last clasp. Finally, he was standing before her holding the collar. “Lift your hair.”

She did as he asked, and he slid his hands around her slender neck, latching the narrow band into place. Kagome let her hair fall back around her shoulders and waited. He didn’t remove his hands, just slid them until they lightly caressed her throat, palms resting just above her collar bone. Almost mine now. He used his grip to gently tilt her head back, pressing his lips to hers in a chaste kiss. He held her that way for a short while, breathing in her breath and returning it to her with his own. She did not push him away; rather she leaned into him, twisting her fingers into the edges of his haori. Finally, when he felt his youki begin to respond, he stepped back from her. He clenched his jaw, bracing himself before beginning to lift the subduing necklace over her head. This damned collar had better work. He pulled the necklace off of her completely, and had just thrown it down when Kagome’s youki crashed into his. The initial impact drove him to his knees, leaving him panting as the sensation levelled out into something he could handle. For a split second, he could smell Kagome’s arousal, hear her heart racing, and feel her love for him, but with an intensity a thousand times greater than anything he had ever experienced. It had left him trembling. He became aware of Kagome kneeling before him, calling his name in worry.

“I’m alright,” he answered, opening his eyes. He didn’t remember when he had squeezed them shut in the first place. His gaze settled on Kagome, and this time when his youki pulsed at the sight of her--bare, flushed, and inches away from him--he could feel an answering pulse from her miko youki in return. He studied her carefully, but her expression didn’t show any sign of pain. Confusion, desire, and a smidgeon of embarrassment, but no actual discomfort. “Nothing hurts?”

Kagome gave him a dazed look, and shook her head. “No. Why?”

She isn’t in pain. I can’t detect any purifying energy from her. Inuyasha gave her a toothy grin. “It works.” He gestured toward the collar.

She blinked at him. “Oh.”

Inuyasha found the look on her face adorable. Unable to help himself, he kissed her again, quickly lest they never get this done, and helped her to her feet. She smiled up at him, but he saw her shivering and trying to cover herself. She’s embarrassed because you’re staring at her, dolt. He frowned, then turned her and pushed her gently toward the water, trying not to stare at her shapely backside. “You’re cold. Get in before you get sick.”

Kagome gratefully sank into the warm water, but turned a questioning look on him once she had gotten settled. “Aren’t you coming, too?”

“Yeah. I’ve just got to get something from the pack first. Wait there.”

Inuyasha hurried to the pack, pulling out Kagome’s favorite shampoo and soap, pausing to place tetsusaiga near the cave entrance, forming a protective barrier. His nervousness had increased, but so had his anticipation. They were almost there. There was only this last step remaining, and then he made Kagome his mate.

Inuyasha blinked, reality hitting him suddenly. Mate.

He blinked again.

Kagome will be with me forever.

He gave an internal grimace at the stupid smile he could not help wearing, but it didn’t stop him from hurrying to return to the girl waiting for him in the water.

***

to be continued...