InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Long Lost.... ❯ Lost and Found ( Chapter 10 )

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

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, for if I did I would not be writing or reading fanfics about him. He'd be with me and we'd have... FUN. LoL. ^_^ He belongs to the oh so creative, Rumiko Takahashi.

A.N.: Hi! Apologies, once again about the lateness, I hope you guys still wanna read my story, lol. I can only update whenever I don't have homework and lately, I haven't had many chances to just sit and write, especially since my exams were just this past week. But I've been planning things for the story though! In my head, heh. What was supposed to happen one way, will now continue in another, I changed my mind. The original plan was to have this one chapter of fluff--this one in particular--and then have everything fall right after. But since, I am a romantic at heart, I've decided to prolong this upcoming fluff for a few chapters, then the fall. I hope you like it. The songs I'm using in this chapter is called "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith and "The Memory Will Never Die" by Default. Read and review. And I hope you enjoy this chapter. Oh yeah, I'm sorry guys, but I've decided not to put a lemon in this chapter. I just sort of think it's a little too soon. Maybe at the end. Maybe. Sorry. ^_^ But don't worry! I'll make up for it with fluff! Hehe.

Just in case I change my mind...

WARNING: MIGHT CONTAIN CITRUS AND OR LEMON. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. lol. Don't worry, I'll change the rating. Starlover808, you know who are, if you're reading this, stop, and do your homework instead. Remember what I told you!!!! :p

Kagome watched as the world outside passed her in a dark blur. She turned her head and looked at the man sitting beside her. Inuyasha looked up from the music sheets in his hands, as if feeling her stare upon him. He smiled that soft smile of his, the one that he only used with her, and she melted. He put his hand, palm-up on the arm rest between them, looking at her expectantly, with that beautiful smile still in place. Kagome smiled and gently placed her hand into his, and as soon as she did, his strong fingers tenderly clasped around her much smaller ones'. He then leaned over to place a tentative kiss on her lips. Kagome closed her eyes to savor the feel of his lips on hers, and leaned into the kiss. Inuyasha placed his free hand on Kagome's face, giving her his undivided attention. Kagome sighed when he lightly licked her bottom lip, asking for entrance. Inuyasha took the sigh as an invitation and deepened the kiss even more, entwining their tongues just as much as their hearts. Kagome lifted her other hand, only to place it on Inuyasha's neck, gently stroking the soft skin she found. Inuyasha made a sound in the back of his throat, then reluctantly pulled away slowly with his his hands still in place. He looked at Kagome's face, and the sight of it made him smile. Her eyes were still closed and her mouth was slightly open. He moved the hand on her face to her, lightly combing his fingers through her soft tresses. A few seconds later, Kagome opened her eyes, but she still looked a little dazed. So she took a deep breath and practically slumped in her chair at the overload of sensations. Inuyasha's hands fell away from her, and he chuckled. He picked up his fallen music sheets and tried to continue writing the notes and lyrics that were floating in his head, but after a kiss like that, it was hard. He gave up after just staring at the papers for 2 minutes straight with nothing coming out, and put his papers away. Inuyasha took Kagome's hand into his, and began lazily tracing little designs into her palm with his thumb. Kagome smiled at him, then turned to continued to watch the world outside the train windows.

It had been around 10 at night when Kagome had arrived at the club. And after embracing for what seemed like forever, the new couple had decided that there was only one place they could go to runaway that would be perfect. Kyoto. Kagome drove her car back to her apartment to drop it off before they left, with Inuyasha following right behind her. From there, they drove to the train station to take a Hiraki express to Kyoto. By the time they got to the station it was around 11. They had left the station an hour ago, so they had around an hour and half more till they reached their destination. Kagome yawned and blinked her eyes.

Inuyasha looked over at her and smirked. He stood up and opened a little compartment on the side. He extracted the blanket it held and sat back down. He wrapped the blanket around Kagome and pulled her frame closer to his, so she was leaning on him. "Go to sleep. I'll wake you up when we get there."

Kagome nodded and closed her eyes without question. She knew that as long as Inuyasha was by her side, she was safe, protected, and loved. That last word in her thought made her smile. She snuggled into his chest and let the sandman claim her with his magic.

Inuyasha smiled and kissed the top of her head. He deeply inhaled the scent of her hair, her, and sighed. This was what Heaven was like, he thought. He tightened his arms around her and rested his own head on hers, then closed his eyes.

The sound of the train's horns awoke Inuyasha some time later. He looked at his watch and realized that it had been a little more than an hour and a half ago since he closed his eyes. He looked around, still a little disoriented then looked down at the sleeping angel in his arms. A look so tender crossed his features and he shook the woman lightly. "Kagome, wake up. We've arrived."

"Ugh." Kagome moaned. She opened her eyes and looked around. When her eyes finally landed on deep golden pools of amber, she couldn't prevent the smile that appeared on her face.

Inuyasha chuckled at her cuteness and shook his head. He stood up and offered Kagome his hand. She took his hand and stood up also. She stretched her back and yawned. She looked around for her duffle bag but couldn't find it. Just when she was beginning to think she had lost it or left it at the station before leaving, Inuyasha cleared his throat. She turned at the sound of it to look at him and saw her bag dangling effortlessly in his left hand.

"Why didn't you tell me you had it from the start, instead of letting me look for it like an idiot?" She snapped, the power nap clearly having not helped her tiredness.

Inuyasha laughed, and put both his bag and hers into his left hand. Then he slung his right arm over her shoulders, leading her out of the train. "Because you look so cute confused."

Kagome elbowed him, all adoration for him gone at the moment. She realized that she was tired. Really tired. She had stressed all day, contemplating Inuyasha's proposal, only to finally decide last minute to actually take the leap with him. She had watched his performance on television and knew that she was the one, he was dedicating the song too. The lyrics of the song, not lost on her, she packed her bag. But then, it took her another hour or so to actually leave her apartment to go to the club. She knew he would be waiting. On her way to the club, she hoped he'd still be there. And thankfully, he was, but by the looks of it, he was just about to leave. When they got to the train station she was still too amazed that they were actually together, running away to feel her fatigue. She thought the little nap would help, but it hadn't, and when Kagome was tired, she was grouchy, something Inuyasha clearly forgot about.

Kagome was just about to exit the train when Inuyasha caught up with her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and nuzzled her hair, asking for forgiveness. Kagome sighed. It wasn't his fault she was feeling tired and grouchy. It was her own. She shook her head, and wrapped her left arm around his waist. Inuyasha looked down at her and leaned forward. He kissed her nose and smiled. Kagome giggled, and the two made their way out of the train together. When they made it out to the lobby, Kagome looked around at the few patrons there. "Where are we going, now? I don't really want to go to my mom's house just yet." Kagome said.

Inuyasha looked at her and gave her a secretive smile. "I have a place in mind."

Kagome raised a brow at him. "Really? Where?"

"It's a secret."

Kagome laughed at the mischievous look on his face and shook her head. He was too adorable for his own good, she thought.

"Come on, I called for a rental car, when we were dropping your car off at your apartment." Inuyasha said, leading her to a desk close by.

"Hello sir, how may I help you?" The lady behind the desk greeted, a chipper smile and attitude still in place, even past midnight.

"Yeah, I called in for a rental a few hours ago." Inuyasha said, letting go of Kagome to look for his wallet.

"Let me see..." The lady said, typing away on her computer searching for his request. "Ah, yes. Takeishi, Inuyasha? You called in for a silver Murano, is that correct?"

"Yeah, that is."

"May I see your I.D. please? Then I'll give you the keys, and you can be on your way." She said with a smile.

Inuyasha showed her his I.D. and gave her a credit card, without being asked. She took them both, scanned one, then nodded.

"Sign here, please?" The lady said, indicating a line on the receipt.

Inuyasha signed it, then took the keys, turning to leave.

"Thank you, and have a nice stay in Kyoto, sir." The lady said. As soon as Inuyasha and Kagome were out of the station doors, the polite receptionist turned around to frantically grab her cell phone. "Oh my God, Yume, guess who I just gave a rental car to?!"

"...No, not Brad Pit. Better. Inuyasha Takeishi. Ahhh!!! I know! He is so hot! ... Yeah, and I think he was with Kagome Higurashi. Do you think they're a couple? ... I don't know, in the interview they did not too long ago, it said they were just friends... Yeah, your right, they're probably just working or whatever So there is still a chance for me! ... Okay fine, us." The receptionist continued to gab with her friend about the two music starlets until a patron approached her desk, asking for a car. "Gotta go Yume, t-t-y-l."


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"I think that girl liked you." Kagome said, smirking. They were in the car, driving to a destination unknown to her.

"What girl?" Inuyasha asked, turning from the road to glance at her.

"That girl that gave you the car. The receptionist, " she said.

Inuyasha scoffed. "What gave you that idea? She didn't say anything beside car details to me."

"She didn't have to say anything in particular to give off vibes that she likes you. Trust me, I know." Kagome said.

"What are you talking about, Kags?" Inuyasha asked.

"The way she looked at you. She had some sort of hidden twinkle in her eyes when she saw you and when she was talking to you." Kagome said, leaning back into her seat, staring straight ahead, joking aside.

Inuyasha turned to glance at her, and chuckled at the expression, or lack thereof on her face. "Is my Kags jealous of handsome, big me?"

Kagome turned her gaze from the road to his face. "More like little, ol' you. And no, I'm not, so wipe that smirk off your face."

Inuyasha laughed and took her hand. When she tried to pull away, he only tightened his grip. She finally ceased her struggles when she realized that he wouldn't be letting go anytime soon. Inuyasha brought her hand to his lips to lay a butterfly kiss on the back, his eyes straight on the road, and suddenly serious.

"There's no need to be, Ai. I'm yours. Only you..." Inuyasha softly said, still not looking at her.

Kagome felt her heart beat faster at his words and stared at him. The things this man next to her had the power to do... He had the power to make her... and break her. The latter, made her scared as Hell. But the prior... Made her soar.

Kagome took her hand from within his, and this time he let her. She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. She gently caressed his jaw, committing every line and angle to memory. "Yash..."

"Hmm?"

"Only you."

Inuyasha turned to look at her, and the loving expression on her face staggered him. He nodded, then turned back to the road. He placed one hand on the feminine hand on his face, keeping the other on the steering wheel, and held it to his cheek for a few seconds. Then he took the hand and lead it to rest on his chest. Over his heart.

Kagome could feel the erratic beat of his heart and smiled. Well, at least now she knew she wasn't the only one, she thought. She took his hand, and held it the rest of the drive, to wherever that may be.

An hour or so later, they reached a clearing. Ahead, there lay a few houses, spaced far apart. When she realized where they were, she gasped. She hadn't seen or been here in a long while. But why would Inuyasha...

Inuyasha grinned at her and practically jumped out of the car. He ran to her side of the car and opened her door, extending his hand for her. She took it without thought, still looking around, confused as to why and how they were here, in this particular place. Inuyasha quickly grabbed their bags from the backseat and locked the door. He lead Kagome to a house they both knew well.

"Inuyasha, why are we here?" Kagome finally asked.

Inuyasha turned around to look at her and smiled. "We're going to my old house."

"But you don't live there anymore. That house belongs to someone else, now." Kagome insisted, still not seeing where he was going.

"Yeah, it does belong to someone else now. Me," he said.

"What? How?" Kagome asked.

"I bought it from the people, who bought it from my mother before, a year ago." Inuyasha said. They were almost to the house.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? Do you live here?"

"Well, you didn't ask. And why would I tell you, unless I planned on taking you here. So, since I'm taking you there now, I'm telling you now." Inuyasha laughed.

Kagome frowned and playfully hit his arm.

Inuyasha smiled. "And no, I don't live here everyday, obviously, since I have an apartment in Tokyo. I just come down here when I want a break from the city or when I'm stressed out. I guess you could say it's like a getaway home for me."

"If you had a home here, then why did you stay at my mom's house with all of us when we came down here for the promo?" Kagome asked, looking at him.

"And miss the chance to stay near you while wolf-breath was just yards away from where you slept? I don't think so." Inuyasha replied.

Kagome thought of Kouga, then. She shook her head when the guilt started pile on, and decided not to think about him or anyone else, other than Inuyasha right now. If she did, she might chicken out and just go home to Tokyo and go back to her old life. She'd be safe, and everything would be planned. With Inuyasha, things rarely were ever set in stone. With Inuyasha, she felt things... She felt life. And him.

They had already made it to the door, when Kagome broke out of her reverie. Inuyasha dug into front pocket for something, and came out with key in hand. He put the key into the lock, but before turning it, he turned back to look at her. "We have to be really quiet when we go in there, okay?"

"Huh? Why, is there someone in your house, right now?" Kagome asked, confused at his behavior.

Inuyasha smiled and shook his head. He turned back to the door then turned the key. He slowly opened the door, and peeked through, making it look like he was checking to see if the coast was clear. Then he fully opened the door and stepped through. He motioned for Kagome to do the same, while keeping a finger to his lips, reminding her to be quiet, when the hallway light suddenly turned on.

"Inuyasha, is that you, sweetie?" A feminine voice inquired from close by.

Kagome sharply turned to look at him through narrowed eyes. He had another woman in his house?

Inuyasha just chuckled at her, and put their bags down. He closed and locked the door then turned around to answer the woman. "Yes, mom, it's me." He called out.

Kagome's eyes widened at what he said, realization on the woman's identity dawning on her.

"Darling, what are you doing coming here so late? Not that I mind or anything. But is everything okay? Did some--oh, you brought a woman home." The voice exclaimed, getting louder.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha with doe-like eyes and he laughed. He made a circular motion with his finger, indicating for her to turn around. Kagome swallowed, suddenly nervous. Then she slowly turned around.

When she saw the older woman before her, she nearly cried. It had been so long since she had seen her. This woman before her, had been like a second mother to her when she was younger. She was wearing a long robe and slippers. Her hair was a little grayer, but other than that, she was still the same vibrant woman she knew before. "Auntie Izayoi." Kagome breathed.

The older woman looked at her for a second, uncomprehending, then suddenly she gasped. "Kagome, dear, is that you?" She said, already taking steps to stand in front of the younger girl.

When Kagome nodded, the older woman encompassed her into a big hug. "Oh, sweetie, it's been such a long time. And you look so grown now, your beautiful. I barely recognized you." Izayoi said, with a tear-stained face. She pulled back, to examine the girl further, the sight of her, making her cry all over again. It had been so long...

Izayoi looked into a pair of wet, deep brown eyes that she hadn't seen in nearly 10 years. She wiped Kagome's stray tears from her face and hugged her again. "How have you been? Are you hungry, dear? Want me to whip something up for you? Okay, let's do that." Izayoi said, answering her own question. She took Kagome's hand, and led her to the kitchen, completely forgetting about Inuyasha.

Inuyasha chuckled then followed after the two most important people in his life. When he reached the kitchen he saw his mother preparing sandwiches at the counter with Kagome sipping a hot chocolate with marshmallows in it, on the other side, sitting on a stool. He went over and sat on a stool next to Kagome. His mother placed a cup of hot tea in front of him. She knew that he didn't care for chocolate much. Izayoi was talking about how she had been, her retirement not too long ago, and how she had just recently moved back into the house. Inuyasha took a sip of his tea, then turned his head to stare at Kagome. She was watching his mother animatedly, holding the warm cup of chocolate between both hands. She nodded at something his mom said, and took a sip of chocolate. She placed the cup down, not noticing anything wrong. Inuyasha inwardly smiled at the adorable picture she made and shook his head. He watched his mom leave the kitchen for a moment then finally said, "Kagome..."

"Hmm?" Kagome said, turning to look at him with a question in her eyes.

Inuyasha couldn't help it anymore. He laughed. When she looked at him like he was crazy he stopped. He reached over, and wiped the cute little chocolate mustache she had accumulated while drinking her hot chocolate with his thumb. It didn't cross his mind to use a napkin, instead.

Kagome leaned back a little at his sudden movement but stopped when she realized what he was doing and why. She blushed and hastily grabbed a napkin from the table. She nervously laughed and wiped the excess off her mouth. She looked at Inuyasha, only to find him bringing his chocolate covered thumb to his lips. He licked all the chocolate off, slowly, his eyes never once leaving her own. "I thought you didn't like chocolate..." Kagome said, mesmerized by the sensual sight he made.

"I don't, not really." Inuyasha said.

"Then why are you..." Kagome said, leaving the sentence open.

"Generally, I don't like chocolate. But I'll make one exception." Inuyasha said, his golden eyes, smoldering her.

"And what would that exception be?" Kagome asked, though she already had an idea as to what it was.

"I only like chocolate, if it's on yo--"

"Did I miss anything, kids?" Izayoi said, re-entering the kitchen, interrupting Inuyasha.

Inuyasha shook his head. "No, mom. Just talking about chocolate, right Kags?"

Kagome dumbly nodded, her mouth still slightly agape. Inuyasha smirked and turned back to his tea.

"Inuyasha doesn't like chocolate. Even as a boy, he didn't care for the stuff much." Izayoi said, off-handedly.

"Actually, I kind of find chocolate to be more appealing, now that I'm grown." Inuyasha said, loving the expression on Kagome's face.

"Really, son? How so?" Izayoi said, cutting the two sandwiches she made into quarts. When she was done, she placed them before the two kids.

"I don't know. It just has an allure to me, now, that it didn't before," he said.

Kagome cleared her throat and took a mini sandwich, nearly swallowing it whole.

"Huh, I wonder why that is. I remember clearly how much you detested the stuff." Izayoi said, placing two waters in front of them. Then suddenly, Izayoi gave a great big yawn.

"Go back to bed mom, sorry for waking you by coming so late." Inuyasha said, looking at his mother.

"You didn't wake me, sweetie. But alright, maybe I should go to bed. Heh, I don't know, I must be getting older and older, I get so sleepy nowadays." Izayoi laughed.

"You not getting older mom, only younger." Inuyasha said with a grin.

"Alright, alright, enough kissing butt, Mister, I'm going." Izayoi said, smiling at her son.

Inuyasha laughed. "Goodnight, mom. See you in the morning."

"Night, Auntie Iza." Kagome said.

"Oh yes, about that, I have a book club meeting early tomorrow morning, so I don't think I can make you two breakfast. Had I known you two would be coming, I would've canceled it, but on such short notice..." Izayoi trailed off.

"It's okay mom, go to your meeting. We can fend breakfast by ourselves." Inuyasha said.

"Let me guess, ramen?" Izayoi inquired, with a smile.

"You know me so well."

Izayoi laughed. "Okay. Hopefully I'll see you two at lunch, if not, we can just have dinner tomorrow. I'll make you two a big feast, then we can catch up."

"Oh, Auntie Iza, you don't have to to do that, we can just..." Kagome started.

"Nonsense. I haven't seen you in almost 10 years Kagome, so I'm preparing a feast. Which reminds me, Inuyasha, darling, do you think you could run to the country market for me tomorrow and get me some things?"

"Sure, mom. Just leave a list on the counter before you leave tomorrow morning." Inuyasha said.

"Alright, night you two." Izayoi said, halfway out the door. As if a sudden thought struck her she turned back around with a stern look on her face. "I almost forgot. Inuyasha, you stay in your room. Kagome, you stay in the guest room, understood?"

Inuyasha chuckled and Kagome turned a pretty pink at the possible insinuation.

"Aww, mom, don't you trust me to take care of Kagome?" Inuyasha said, smiling boyishly at his mother.

"I'm sure you'd take great care of Kagome." Izayoi flatly said.

Inuyasha shook his head with a smile in place. "Your right, I would." He then said with a roguish grin.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome admonished, looking at him like he was crazy.

Izayoi shook her head at her son's antics. "I mean it, you two. You know what? Why don't I just take your bags and place it in your rooms right now, just to make sure. Kagome, your mother would never forgive me if I let you two get out of hand. Now, I don't know the whole story between you two, but by the looks of it, there's something going on."

Inuyasha chuckled. "You don't have to do that, mom. Promise, I'll be good."

Izayoi narrowed her eyes. "I know how you say one thing and do something, then you explain it off somehow, and say that you didn't technically lie by words."

Inuyasha gave his mother a look of mock-hurt and grasped his chest. "Mother, I am hurt that you would say such a thing about me, and in front of dear Kagome, no less."

Kagome rolled her eyes at him, and finished off her hot chocolate and sandwich.

"Yeah, yeah. I mean it though, Inu." Izayoi said. "Goodnight Kagome."

Inuyasha smiled at his mother as she left, then turned to Kagome. She was wiping her mouth. "You're impossible," she said to him, before taking a sip of her water.

Inuyasha smirked. "How so?"

Kagome just rolled her eyes again and hopped off her stool. "I'm going to bed. See you in the morning."

"Wait, what? That's it, your going to bed, just like that?" Inuyasha incredulously asked.

"Sure why not, what else would I do?" Kagome rhetorically asked, already walking through the kitchen doorway.

Inuyasha quickly put the plates and cups into the dishwasher and followed after her.

Kagome was standing in front of the front door. "She actually took our bags and put them into separate bedrooms just to make sure that we wouldn't... This is embarrassing."

Inuyasha smiled and slung his arm around her shoulders, leading her up the stairs. "Don't worry Kags, she's probably sleeping already, so we don't have to follow that rule."

Kagome lightly slapped his chest. "Could you just stop being a hentai?"

Inuyasha rubbed his chest like it hurt and smiled. "Fine."

Kagome took a deep breath and let it out. She walked to her door and opened it. She was about to walk into the guest room when a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned around to come face to face with Inuyasha. How he got behind her so silently and quickly, a mystery to her. "Kagome..."

"Goodnight, Inuyasha." Kagome said, moving from his grasp and into her room. She knew what he was expecting, but for some reason, suddenly, she felt unsure.

Inuyasha let his hand drop and just looked at her. Kagome closed the door, then leaned against it. What was wrong with her? Why was she suddenly so put off from this whole thing, this whole situation she was in right now, when just minutes ago, she was staring at Inuyasha so adoringly.

Confused at her own fickle behavior, Kagome made her way to her bag next to the bed. She sat down and rummaged around for a pair of pajamas. She took her long red flannel shirt out, a pair of red flannel shorts, and her little toiletries bag. She then walked over to the bathroom and closed the door. When she was changed into her jammies and refreshed, she emerged. She placed the clothes she was wearing in the bedside drawer and put her toiletries bag in, along with it. She closed the windows, and curtains. Then she pushed her duffle bag under the big queen size bed and laid down. The bed sheets were Egyptian cotton, and they were soft on her skin, and soothed her tired muscles. The lamp on the bedside table was on, so it illuminated the entire room with a dim sheet of light. She had been staring at the bedroom ceiling for a few minutes, thinking about everything, yet strangely, still not thinking about anything in particular, when a very soft knock interrupted her. When she didn't answer on the second round of knocks, her door slowly opened. She knew who it was, but she closed her eyes anyway, so it looked like she was sleeping. Why was she hiding from him, now of all times?

The sound of the door softly clicking closed was heard, and even the sound of him locking it. Then the light shuffles of him making his way over to the bed was heard next. Kagome felt the bed shift when he sat down and held her breath. She felt his hand on her face, lightly caressing her.

"I know you're not sleeping," he said.

After a few silent seconds, she answered. "You're not supposed to be here. Didn't you hear your mother?" Kagome said, her eyes still closed. She made no move to get up or go near him, but she felt him shift again, until he was lying right next to her. Inuyasha put one arm under his head, and the other, he wrapped around Kagome's waist and buried his face into her neck. Then he asked a question, she was just asking herself.

"Why are you hiding from me?" He whispered.

When she wasn't with him and couldn't feel him, thinking about the real world was easy. But with him so close, she could barely breath. She exhaled her breath, and turned her head toward him, causing him to pull back from her neck a little. Kagome looked at Inuyasha from mere inches away. He was wearing a pair of green flannel pants, and a white wife-beater, his hair loose. Kagome thought of a good answer to give him, but she had nothing, so she settled for the truth. "I'm not sure," she whispered.

Inuyasha swallowed the lump in his throat and stared at the beauty in his arms. Did she know how much power she had over him? It was frightening to him, actually. He leaned forward and placed a soft, chaste kiss on Kagome's cheek. She was lying on her back with her arms beside her. "I think... I think we need to stop thinking. At least, for right now," he said.

Kagome looked at him and gave the slightest of nods. "I think so too, it's confusing me," she said with a sort of scared look on her face.

Inuyasha put the arm under his head and moved it so that it was under Kagome's head instead. He brought his other arm up to gently stroke her face. "Don't think about Tokyo, or anyone else. Just think about me, about us, about how we feel for each other." When Kagome didn't say anything he continued, "If we do that, then I think, we'll be okay. What do you think?"

Kagome brought her hand up to finally touch him on her own, and rested it on his arm. She looked deep into his eyes and nodded. "Only you." Kagome repeated her earlier words to him in the car, resolving herself to do what he just said.

Inuyasha drowned in liquid brown and nodded also. "Only you," he said, then closed the minimal space between them, and kissed her full on the lips. To his surprise, Kagome was the one who took the lead this time. She wrapped her arms fully around him, bringing him closer, deepening the kiss. He opened his mouth for her and she took his invitation. She battled his tongue with her own, but in the end he won. Inuyasha shifted so that his form was slightly over her own. He held her head in one hand and let his hand feel her soft tresses, once again. And with his other hand, he explored her body, carefully. He started at her neck, caressing her, then he moved down her shoulders, her arms, and made his way over to end of her flannel shirt. He snuck his hand under her shirt only to stroke her stomach and ribs, not yet ready to venture further.

Kagome tangled one of her hands into his silver locks and the other behind his back, gripping his shirt. She was drowning in sensation. He was the only person she ever let touch and kiss her like this. The only things she did with Kouga were hugging and pecks here and there. She just never felt comfortable doing anything more with him. But with Inuyasha... Oh, with Inuyasha, she felt so much more, and she reveled in it.

Inuyasha moved to kiss Kagome down her neck. He couldn't stop himself. She was just too delicious, and he was getting hard as hell. Finally doing something he'd been itching to do, he moved the hand under her shirt, to cover one of her soft breasts, only to discover that she was bra-less. Kagome moaned at the feeling of his large hand on her, and pulled him even closer, wrapping a leg around one of his. Inuyasha growled at her movements and reluctantly tore away, extracting his hand from under her shirt. He was breathing hard when he pulled away, and so was she. "Not yet." Inuyasha lightly panted.

"Not yet?" Kagome asked, still a little dazed.

Inuyasha looked down at her and smiled at the slightly dissapointed look on her face. "No, not yet." He leaned down and gave Kagome a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Why not?" Kagome asked, really curious.

"I'm rushing things. When we do it, I want it to be special." Inuyasha said, sitting up.

Kagome smiled at him, then nodded. She agreed with him, but still... Damn. She sighed then got under the covers. When she was fully under them, she looked at Inuyasha and held her arms out. He chuckled and got under the covers with her, taking her offered arms and wrapping them around his waist and hugged her. She snuggled into his chest and breathed in his spicy, natural scent; the beautiful scent of him lulling her to sleep.

"I love you," she heard him whisper, but she was too much in the hands of sleep to fully answer him so all she said, or rather murmured was, "Hmn."

Inuyasha smiled and took her scent in. Soon, he was sleeping also.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The next morning, the couple found themselves walking around hand-in-hand at Kyoto's country market. They had woken up in each other's arms, and when they both opened their eyes, they just smiled and laughed. Inuyasha was talking to a vendor at a vegetable stand near by, at the moment. His mother had indeed left a list of items she wanted the two to get. A long list. Kagome slightly smiled at the look on Inuyasha's face when he had seen the length of the list. She shook her head and slipped her hand out of his loose grip and began to wander aimlessly. It had such a long time since she was back in Kyoto, able to just take in the sights and feel lazily. When she had come here for the promo a while back, she hadn't been able to do much sight-seeing. Her schedule then, only consisted of photo shoots, the club, the performance, and back home. Kagome took a deep breath of the crisp morning air then exhaled slowly. She wrapped her arms around herself and sighed. She could get used to this feeling of content. Kagome walked over to a fruit stand near by and looked at some of the foreign fruit presented there. The breeze coming in and out of the outside market was nice, Kagome thought. She was wearing a pair of denim shorts, and a green spaghetti strap tank top, with white flip-flops. Her hair was in a messy bun, and she was wearing a white head-band, with her bangs and a few loose strands out in front. She was leaning over the strangle looking fruit and was reaching out to pick one up and examine it when she felt strong arms wrap around her waist from behind. "Couldn't wait for me?" Came Inuyasha's playful question.

Kagome smiled. "Nope, I got bored."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and let her go. He moved to stand next to her and Kagome saw that he had a bag of various vegetables in one hand. "What are you lookin' at?"

Kagome picked up the strange fruit and nodded to the stand. "These fruit are foreign, they look interesting."

Inuyasha took one in his hand and nodded at the old woman sitting in a chair behind the stand. "What are these fruits?"

"They're from America. Very bitter and sour raw, but when you cook them, they turn very sweet." The little old woman replied, standing up. She had an apron on, and had white hair.

Inuyasha looked at the fruit in his hand and then at Kagome. She looked absolutely fascinated. He smiled. He wiped the fruit on the front of his plain white shirt, then held the fruit out to Kagome, as if telling her to taste it.

Kagome turned her head to look at him then shook her head. "Didn't you hear the woman? She said it was bitter and sour raw. I don't want to try it."

"Come on, it's just a fruit What, scared?" Inuyasha taunted, smirking.

"If your so bent on trying it, why don't you take a bite?" Kagome threw back, her eye brow rising.

"Nevermind. I was going to let you do something if you tried it, but I guess you don't wanna." Inuyasha said, shrugging.

"Like what?" Kagome asked, curious.

Inuyasha looked at her and knew he had her. "I was going to do any one thing you wanted me to, but forget it."

Kagome raised both brows. "As if you wouldn't do anything I wanted already," she said smiling.

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders. Kagome thought about it for a moment then nodded her head. Okay, he said anything, she thought. "I'll do it."

Inuyasha looked at her, and smiled. He didn't know why he was baiting her. I guess I'm just bored, he thought. And besides, her scrunched up face after tasting it just sounded too adorable to miss. He held the fruit out to her and she slowly took a bite, watching him all the while. She pulled back and chewed a little. Inuyasha swallowed the lump in his throat, at the trail of juice dripping down her chin, and had to restrain himself from licking it off her, right then and there. Kagome swallowed the piece of fruit in her mouth and looked at him with a flat stare. "It taste like regular fruit to me. It's actually pretty sweet," she sad.

Inuyasha furrowed his eyes and looked at the old woman who was no help at all. She just looked at him then went back to her position by the fruit stand a few feet away. He looked at Kagome and she had a smile on her beautiful lips. "I win, your my slave."

Inuyasha looked at her and shook his head. What happened? He thought that the lady said the fruit was freakin' sour. He looked at Kagome's serene face and it didn't look sour. He didn't mind doing whatever she wanted, but he wouldn't give in that easily. "Are you lying?" He asked her.

"Does it look like I'm lying? Try it if you don't believe me." Kagome said, giving him the fruit she bit from.

Inuyasha looked at her skeptically and took the offered fruit. He brought it o his nose and inhaled. It didn't smell sour. Maybe the old hag was lying? Inuyasha shook his head and took a big bite of the fruit. He saw Kagome intently watching him for some reason. He began to slowly chew the big chunk of fruit in his mouth and began to smile. It was sweet, it was-- Inuyasha spit the fruit in his mouth out onto the ground so suddenly. That thing was fucking sour as hell. What the heck? It was sweet for the first second but after another, it turned so bitter and sour, Inuyasha couldn't stand it. In the background he could hear Kagome off to the side, laughing her ass off. He glared at her and put the rest of the distasteful fruit on the side of the stand. Kagome was still laughing when he started walking towards her. He gently grabbed her, one hand behind her neck to hold her, and one behind her back, only then was her laughter beginning to subside. She looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, softly laughing to herself. Inuyasha leaned forward so suddenly, she didn't have a chance to protest. He kissed her hard and thoroughly. When he pulled back after a minute, Kagome opened her eyes and looked at him. Then she made a face. Her nose scrunched up and she pulled away. "Yuck, that fruit is sour. I only took a little bite so it wasn't too bad, but you took like a whole half."

Inuyasha laughed and walked back to the fruit stand. "That was for lying."

"I didn't lie. It was sweet. For a second." Kagome said, following after him.

Inuyasha picked a few up and held it up to the old woman. "I want to buy a few, including the one we bit."

"That'll be 215 yen, sir." The old woman smiled, suddenly seeming a bit more friendlier. "Are you two newly weds?" She asked.

Kagome looked at the old woman with wide eyes. "Uh, well, we..."

"Yep. Just got hitched. Isn't my wife beautiful when she not tricking men into eating sour fruit?" Inuyasha said, slinging and arm around her.

Kagome glared at him and rolled her eyes.

The old woman smiled at the young couple. "You know what, take the fruit, it's on the house."

Inuyasha looked at her and gave her his charming smile. "Thanks." Then he took all of their bags in hand and led Kagome to another stand near by.

Kagome pulled away from Inuyasha and gave him 'the look.'

Inuyasha chuckled. "What?"

Kagome shook her head and walked toward the stand. Inuyasha caught up with her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'm hungry," she said.

"Hmm, what do you want to eat? Me?" Inuyasha playfully asked.

Kagome looked at him like she was seriously thinking about the offer, then shook her head. "No, not really. I'd rather eat tempura instead."

Inuyasha chuckled. "Tease. Fine, I think I saw a tempura stand a little away. Come on."

Kagome smiled at him then took his hand. When they reached the stand, Kagome sighed in delight at the wide assortment of home-made food. "Wow, this all looks and smells so good. I haven't had any of these in a while."

Inuyasha smiled and ordered a few of each. Then they were on their way. They loaded all the bags into the car and headed back to Inuyasha's house. "Do you think your mom's home, already?" Kagome asked.

"Well, it's almost one in the afternoon, so maybe." Inuyasha said.

When they got home, they unpacked all the bags and put them all away. Then Inuyasha made them two ice cold green teas and took them out to the patio out back, where Kagome was waiting. There was a swinging, wooded chair on the patio with a little table on the side. Kagome was sitting cross-legged when he found her. She was staring out at the view and appeared to be in thought. Inuyasha put the drinks down then sat down next to her. He reached down for the bag of food they had bought at the market and took a piece out. He held it out to Kagome and she looked at him, finally. She smiled, then took a bite. "Yum, I love shrimp."

Inuyasha smiled then took a bite as well. "What were you thinking about, just now?"

Kagome stared out at the vast backyard, and the sun, the trees, then shook her head. She turned to him and said, "Nothing."

Inuyasha leaned over towards her and cupped her cheek. He kissed her softly, then pulled back. "I love you."

Kagome tenderly smiled. "I know you do."

Inuyasha pulled back a little, and stared at her. "Not the words I wanted, but okay."

Kagome swallowed, then reached over for another piece of tempura. She stuffed her face, hoping he'd take it as a hint that she didn't want to talk.

Inuyasha shook his head. He should just be happy that she was with him, right?

The rest of the meal, consisted of mostly silence. By the time they were done, Izayoi came home. "Hi, kids. Sorry I'm late, Yaku just wouldn't stop talking about the book. Then again it is a book club," she laughed. "Have you guys had lunch?" She walked out back when she didn't receive a reply and found the two sleeping in the swinging chair. Kagome had her head resting on Inuyasha's shoulder, and Inuyasha had his arms around her, his own head resting on her own. She smiled at the two, then cleared up the cups and rubbish from their apparent lunch. When they woke, she would have dinner almost done.

Kagome woke first. She blinked sleep induced eyes, and slowly looked around. She was warm, yet cool at the same time. Just then, she remembered that they had had lunch out on the patio. It was shaded and warm, yet the breeze kept them cool. She then looked up to see Inuyasha sleeping soundlessly with his arms and body around hers. He looked so serene sleeping, she thought. She reached up and gently stroked the hard planes of his relaxed face. Why couldn't she just say those three words to him? Kagome closed her eyes, with her hand still on his face. She was afraid. Afraid to give him all the power. Sure, he already had power over her emotions and body, but still. If she gave him that last little piece, she'd be his. If he ever left her after that... She didn't know what she'd do. He left her once, and she survived. But she didn't think she'd survive a second time. She softly sighed when she felt a hand on her own face. She opened her eyes to see Inuyasha looking at her. She opened her mouth to say something but he stopped her before she could.

"Don't," he said.

Kagome looked at his so serious eyes, and mutely nodded.

Inuyasha gathered her into his arms, and held her so tightly, it was almost as if he thought she'd fly away if he didn't. "I know you care about me, and that you chose to come here with me. So, I won't push you any farther. I'll be content just to have you in my arms."

Kagome wrapped her arms around him, tight. She was such a bad person. Here, she had a great, wonderful guy, and she was still unsure, even after everything that's happened thus far. Sometimes, he just made her heart break, for being him. She didn't want to apologize, because it seemed like if she did, it'd look like she was sorry she decided to come here, with him. So, she didn't. And she couldn't think of any other words, that she could say to him without doubt right now, either. So, she didn't say anything at all. Kagome just held him to her, and gently ran her hands up and down his back, soothingly.

The sound of approaching foot steps broke into the comforting silence, but the two didn't move.

"Dinner will be ready in half an hour. You two should go clean up before then." Izayoi said from the doorway. She smiled at them, then turned away.

Inuyasha gave Kagome one last fleeting squeeze the pulled away. He looked into her eyes, and gave her a soft smile. Then he stood up and walked into the house. Kagome watched him retreat. Then she stood up and made her way to her own room to freshen up. As on schedule, exactly half an hour later, Izayoi called for them both to come down for dinner. Dinner was good. Kagome told Izayoi about how she got signed with the record label, meeting Inuyasha, their partnership in the label, and so on. Izayoi told Kagome about what she had been up to also. Kagome was sitting next to Inuyasha on one side of the table, and Izayoi on the other. She was telling her about the many organizations she was now a part of since her retirement and Kagome nodded. She noticed that throughout dinner, Inuyasha had been silent for the most part. She looked at him and saw him pushing the food around his plate. It wasn't like him. Kagome reached for his hand under the table, and when she found it, she held it tightly. Inuyasha froze for a second, then slowly turned to her. Kagome offered him a smile and began to draw little circles on his palm. The slow smile that erupted on his face made her heart beat faster. He began to eat the rest of his food then, keeping a hold on her hand the whole time.

Izayoi coughed then, and when the couple looked up, her gaze was fixed on them. "Is there something you two want to tell me?"

Inuyasha smiled at her. "Nope."

Izayoi narrowed her gaze on her son. "Inuyasha."

Inuyasha laughed and suddenly, brought their linked hands from under the table on top. Inuyasha looked at Kagome, and Kagome looked at Inuyasha. They smiled, a smile so secret, it was as if they were the only two who knew about it. And in a way, they did.

Izayoi wanted to laugh at how cute the young couple looked, and instead settled for a smile. "So, I'm surmising, you both are together? Does Kagome's mother know?"

Kagome kept her eyes on Inuyasha as she answered. "Not yet."

"Will you be telling her?" Izayoi asked.

This time, Inuyasha answered. "Of course."

"Good, that's good. Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm beat. I going on an overnight trip tomorrow to visit a friend, so I won't be back for 2 or 3 days. Will you two still be here?" Izayoi asked, standing up to put everything away.

Kagome looked to Inuyasha for an answer. "Sure, mom. We'll be here till you get back. Then we can have another dinner before we leave," he said.

Kagome looked at Izayoi then, and smiled.

Izayoi smiled at them both, then nodded. "That'll be great. But, before I forget, I just want you both to know, that I know you broke the rule last night, Inuyasha Takeishi."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. "What? Why are you only looking at me?"

"Because, young man, you were the one who didn't stay in your own bed. Now, I know I'll be gone tomorrow night and a night or so after, but for tonight, please have some mercy on my mind, and sleep in your own room, hmm?" Izayoi said, smiling.

"What, Kagome was the one who called me to her bedroom last night." Inuyasha said, trying to look innocent.

"What? You were the one who came into me bedroom, you liar." Kagome said, glaring at him.

"Well, I didn't see you complaining." Inuyasha softly said, so his mother wouldn't hear.

"What did you just say?" Kagome hissed, aware that his mother was still in the room.

"I said, I'm full. Thanks, mom. Dinner was delicious." Inuyasha said, standing up. He walked around the dinner table to give his mother a good night kiss. "Will you be here for breakfast, tomorrow morning?"

Izayoi nodded.

Kagome stared at him, not sure what to think of his statement. She shook her head and stood up also. She went over to Izayoi, and gave her hug. "Yeah, thank for dinner Auntie Iza. Your still the best cook in my book."

Izayoi laughed. "I know, dear. Just don't let your mother hear that."

Kagome laughed, and in the corner of her eye, she saw Inuyasha standing off to the side, waiting for her. She said her goodnight to Izayoi then turned to walk up the stairs. Inuyasha offered her his hand, a small smile on his lips. She looked at it for a second, then took it. His hand was warm in hers. Inuyasha led her up the stairs to her room and stopped in front of her door. Kagome opened her door and stepped aside, as if waiting for him to come in, but all he did was shake his head.

"I think, I'm going to abide by my mother's wishes for tonight." Inuyasha said.

Kagome looked a question at him, and he just smiled.

"She won't be here tomorrow night, so I won't have to follow her rules then."

Kagome thought about being angry about his assumption, but just didn't feel like it, so she laughed. She took a step towards Inuyasha and wrapped her arms around his neck. She tip-toed and planted a loving kiss that blew Inuyasha away. She pulled apart a little, leaving an inch between their lips and whispered, "Sweet dreams, Yash."

Inuyasha blinked then suddenly maneuvered Kagome against the wall, her back to it. He kissed her so passionately and deep, that Kagome couldn't breathe. He licked her lips, asking for entrance and when she complied he delved right in. A minute or two later, he pulled away. He caressed Kagome's face for a little before saying, "Sweet dreams." Then he turned and walked away to his room across the hall. Kagome sighed and leaned against the wall for a minute longer. Never, would she get used to the fire of his kisses. She got up and walked into her room, closing the door behind her.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Happy Birthday, sweetie!" A loud voice said.

"5 more minutes," the lump under the covers groaned.

"Kagome, dear, wake up. I have breakfast on the table. It's your favorite, oden." Izayoi said, trying to lure the girl awake.

Kagome popped her head out from under the covers and looked around sleepily. "Oden?"

"Uh huh. And I made egg omelets, and some miso soup and rice." The older woman replied. She leaned over to give the girl a hug and softly said, "Happy Birthday, honey. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your past ten."

Kagome, awake now, pulled back to look at Izayoi and what she saw, was a sad smile. "It's okay, Auntie Iza. Your here, now."

Izayoi genuinely smiled at the girl in her arms. "Yes, and so are you." She reached over to push a stray lock of hair behind Kagome's ear. "Come down when your ready."

Kagome nodded, and gave a salute to the older woman.

Izayoi laughed at Kagome's gesture and walked to the door, closing it behind her. Kagome got out of bed and stretched her arms over her head, yawning. She took a quick shower and changed into a pair of khaki capris and a purple tank top that had a hoodie. She blow-dried her hair then put it into low pig-tails. When she was done, she walked out of her room and down the stairs, into the kitchen where everyone seemed to be. Izayoi was sitting down at the kitchen island, wetting the table, and Inuyasha was sitting across from her, twirling his chopsticks. But what really made her smile, was the cute little birthday hat he was wearing atop his head. His ears twitched at the sound of her arrival and he turned to look at her. The smile he gave her nearly stopped her heart. The mood of yesterday completely forgotten, he stood up and made his way over to her. Kagome waited for him to come to her and when he did, he enfolded her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his chest. "Happy Birthday, Kags," he whispered into her ear. Kagome smiled.

"Happy Birthday, Yash."

Inuyasha pulled away, only to look at her. He placed a soft kiss on the tip of her nose and smiled. Then he led her to the kitchen island and held a stool out for her, which she gladly accepted.

"Okay, now that Kagome's here, we can dig in." Izayoi said. "I hope you like breakfast, Kagome."

"Why are you always doting on Kagome, but when she's gone, you dote on me. What, am I your second choice or something?" Inuyasha teased his mother.

"How did you know, Inuyasha? Wow, you finally figured it out." Izayoi said in such a serious tone, Inuyasha had to look her. Then after a second, she laughed. "Got you. But your right, I like Kagome better."

Inuyasha have her puppy eyes and she laughed at her son again.

"Don't worry, I like you Yash." Kagome playfully said, leaning over to land a peck on his cheek.

Inuyasha looked at her then leaned over to land a peck on her lips. "Thanks Kags, I like you too. I mean, I guess I do."

Kagome's mouth fell open, and she lightly slapped him on the arm. "Jerk."

Inuyasha laughed and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm just kidding. I more than like you," he whispered.

Kagome rolled her eyes and shrugged out of his arms to eat her breakfast.

Izayoi laughed at the two and ate her breakfast also. "I'm leaving this afternoon.What are your plans for the rest of day? Is there anything you'd like me to prepare for you two, before I leave?"

"Nah, it's okay mom. We got it under control. We're doing whatever Kagome wants today." Inuyasha said, his mouth full of rice.

Izayoi shook her head at her son's manners, but smiled nonetheless. "Well, before I leave, I want to give you two these." Izayoi reached for her bag and pulled a single envelope out of it. "Here, it's a free dinner for 2 pass at a restaurant near town. With desert and everything. Sorry, I couldn't get more for you two. But I know the staff really well, there."

Kagome took Izayoi hand. "Thank you. I'm sure the restaurant must be wonderful for you to have picked it."

Izayoi took the girl's hand in her's. "Your welcome, dear. I'll try to bring you back something from my trip, Izayoi winked.

Kagome laughed, and nodded.

"What about me?" Inuyasha asked.

"Oh yeah, I guess I'll try for you too." Izayoi said to her son.

When Inuyasha just pouted, Izayoi laughed. She walked over to her son, and took his head between bother her hands. "My boy is all grown up. Right before my eyes," she said softly, while smiling at him lovingly.

Inuyasha wrapped his arms around his mother's waist. "I'll always be your boy, mom, no matter how old I get."

Izayoi gently stroked Inuyasha's ears, and hair, before pulling away. "I have to finish packing. Let me know if you two want or need anything before I leave, alright, sweetie?"

Inuyasha nodded and released his mother.

When Inuyasha and Kagome finished breakfast, they washed the dishes and put everything away. They had decided to just go up to their look out spot and have a little picnic for lunch later. But until then, they would just hang around the house. Then for dinner, they would go to the restaurant Izayoi had given them a pass for.

Kagome was lying on her back on the couch in the living room, and Inuyasha was lying on his tummy next to her, with his arms around her, and his head on her stomache. He was lightly touching her shoulders, and Kagome was playing with his hair. Izayoi had left a little more than hour ago and they were just watching television together. Nothing good was on, but that didn't seem to matter to the couple.

"You know what I just noticed." Kagome suddenly said.

"What?" Inuyasha asked, still looking at the television across the couch.

"No one has tried calling either one of us."

Inuyasha looked up at her then, lifting his head. "What did you do with your cell phone?"

"I turned it off." Kagome softly said. "What did you do with your cell phone?"

"I turned it off," he said.

Kagome stared at him for what felt like forever, then Inuyasha leaned up and laid a chaste, yet sweet kiss on her lips, then went back to his prior position.

Kagome went back to playing with his hair. She closed her eyes this time, not paying attention to the sound of the television or what was on it. She could feel Inuyasha's hands and fingers on her tummy, tracing designs. She concentrated for a second and realized that he was writing something with his fingers. 'I love you.' Kagome sighed in content and pulled Inuyasha closer. Inuyasha complied and scooted a bit closer to her.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


"Hurry up, Yash! I'm hungry." Kagome called down the hill 2 hours later.

"Keh. Your not the one carrying the picnic basket, blanket, guitar, and supplies, so your just going to have to wait!" Came Inuyasha's muffled reply.

"Hey, I offered to help you. You, being the manly man that you are, declined my offer, saying that you could handle it. So, tough luck to ya, buddy." Kagome said, smirking at his mumbled reply.

"What was that Yash, dear? I didn't quite catch what you said." Kagome called down.

"I said, I love you, honey!"

Kagome laughed and shook her head. She walked the few yards down to where he was, and took the guitar from his load. "Why did you want to bring this along?"

"I thought we could work on another song together for the partnership, after we eat. We only have like one or two songs right now. And I think Myouga said he wanted at least like three." Inuyasha said.

When they reached the top of the hill, Inuyasha unceremoniously dropped everything onto the ground. Kagome took the blanket and spread it out under the shade of the canopy tree. She then took the picnic basket and laid all the food out.

"I really love it, here." Kagome said while looking out at the vast view of coutryside, laid out underneath them. She took a bite of the strawberry in hand, then turned back to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha was looking down at his fingers, while lightly strumming some chords on the guitar in his hand. He then wrote something down on the music sheet before him, and continued strumming.

"Is that for one of our songs?" Kagome asked.

"No, it's just something I've been working on lately." Inuyasha said.

"Oh, are you gonna put it on your album?" She asked.

"No, it's a personal song I want keep to myself."

"Could I hear it?" Kagome asked.

"Nope." Came Inuyasha's reply.

As if sensing that Kagome was frowning at him, Inuyasha looked up and smiled at her. "It's not done yet."

Kagome nodded. She knew how she felt about letting people listen to her songs when they were done either. But still...

After a few more minutes, Inuyasha put the guitar down, and the music sheets away. Then he moved to sit closer to Kagome, and picked up a piece of the sour fruit they had gotten at the market yesterday. They cooked it with a little sugar, and sure enough, when it was done, it was really sweet and good. He held it with his bare fingers and offered it to Kagome. She took a bite, chewed and swallowed. Inuyasha licked the juice off his fingers and picked another piece up, eating it himself. After a lunch that consisted of sandwiches, leftover oden, fruits, and water, the couple lay side by side, staring at the clouds above. Kagome's head was resting on Inuyasha's shoulder, with her arms wrapped around his torso. And Inuyasha had his arm under Kagome's head, supporting her, while the other rested on her arms around his middle.

"We haven't done this together, in a long time, huh?" Kagome softly asked.

"Yeah. I remember our old cloud-watching days. We used to come here for days on end, and just spend the days watching the sky, dreaming." Inuyasha wistfully replied.

Kagome leaned up and gently kissed his neck, then she snuggled back into his shoulder. Inuyasha tightened his arms around her and closed his eyes. These past few days with Kagome were great. Yet, he could still feel this underlying tension building. What was it, and what did it mean? It felt like something was gonna happen, soon. He just didn't know what. He thought about the song he had been working on and smiled with his eyes still closed. She didn't know, of course, but it was supposed to be a birthday present for her. Tomorrow, it should be done, then he'd let her hear it. Or if he was lucky, it would be done by tonight. He just really hoped she liked it. He had something else to give her, but the song, meant something a little more to him. Material objects could get lost or lose it's meaning over time. But songs, music, never die. No matter how much time passes. The purpose, intent, and emotion a song was written in, will always remain the same. He just hoped she realized that too.

"We should try working on a song, now." Inuyasha said.

"Sure." Kagome said, getting up.

"I already have the first verse written up. So, maybe you could try to come up with a catchy chorus or something? Here, let me show you. It's a little heavier than Broken, so..." Inuyasha said, moving around to get his guitar and music folder. He showed her what he had and for the next few hours, they worked on the song until it was done.

"I really like it. When we add in the actual guitar riffs and band, it'll sound even better. What do you want to call it, Yash?" Kagome said.

"Tight Rope," he said.

"Okay. That sounds good."

"Let's head back to the house, we should get ready for dinner, it's almost 5 in the evening already." Inuyasha said.

Kagome nodded, and began to put all the picnic stuff away. When they were walking hand in hand back to the car, Kagome said, "We should go to my mom's house tomorrow."

"Alright."

When they got back to the house, Inuyasha dropped her off in front of her room. He pressed his lips to hers for a second then pulled away. "Meet me downstairs in an hour?"

"Sure." Kagome said.

Inuyasha smiled then turned around and walked over to his room.

Kagome took a shower then blow dried her hair, and put it into a loose braid with a few loose strands around her face. She sat down to rummage through her bag for some clothes to wear and came up with a pair of designer jeans, a red, high-collared, button-up blouse, and a pair of red low-heeled, pumps. She sat in front of the mirror, and put her make-up on. I haven't had a chance to get Inuyasha a present, Kagome thought. She contemplated that for a minute, then decided to just get him something later. Tonight, they'd have a nice birthday dinner with just the two of them. But... Kagome couldn't help but feel like things between them weren't as smooth as she thought they'd be. Nothing was wrong, but there was just this nagging feeling in the back of her mind, that wouldn't go away. "It's probably just my imagination." She said aloud, trying to reassure herself. When she looked at the clock, she saw that it had already been 45 minutes. She quickly finished up, then proceeded to put her clothes and sandals on. When she was done, she grabbed a black hand-purse and made her way downstairs. And when she got there, she found Inuyasha already there, dressed. He was wearing a black button down, collared shirt, and a pair of jeans, with black shoes. His hair was in a loose pony-tail, and it looked like, he had just taken a shower not too long ago. Inuyasha turned at her entrance and the look in his eyes made her stop. There was such intensity in those golden orbs. Kagome approached him, and suddenly gave him a hug. Inuyasha was surprised for a second, but quickly recovered. He wrapped his arms around her and breathed her in. "You're beautiful," he whispered.

"So, are you." Kagome said.

Inuyasha chuckled and pulled back. He offered her his left arm and she obliged, taking it.

The drive to the restaurant was a quiet one. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't exactly comfortable either. Kagome didn't really know what to say to him, at the moment. Should she just strike up a conversation about trivial, everyday things? No, Inuyasha would see straight through her attempt, and simply give her one word answers. She raked her brain for something, anything to say to him, when he beat her to it.

"I heard the restaurant serves good food."

Kagome turned to look at him. "Hm? Oh, yeah." She said, slightly dissapointed.

Half an hour later, the pair made it to the restaurant. Inuyasha presented the hostess with the pass his mother had given them, then they were seated at a table near the windows. Inuyasha held Kagome's seat open for her and she sat down. He then went to take a seat across from her on the table. Throughout dinner, the two talked about their music, plans after the whole partnership thing was over, and everything else. Everything, except their relationship. They ordered desert and were currently waiting for it to arrive when a group of waitress, waiters, and hostess' came up to their table with a large cake and some candles.

"Izayoi told us it was her son's and his girl-friend's birthday, today. So we decided to whip up something special." A brunette in the front beamed. She placed the cake on the table, in front of them, then the whole group began to sing 'Happy Birthday' for the couple. Kagome shifted so that she was sitting closer to Inuyasha. And as if he got her intent, he moved his chair so that it was right next to hers. Inuyasha wrapped an arm around the back of Kagome's chair, and by then, the song was almost over. He looked at Kagome and nodded. On the count of three they blew the candles out. But as Kagome was leaning forward to blow the candles out, Inuyasha leaned over towards her and kissed her cheek. A blinding flash was made, and Kagome blinked her eyes a bit. She looked at Inuyasha and he just gave her a small smile in response. Then he held his hand out when a slow song began to play. Kagome took his hand, and he led her to the little dance floor nearby. Inuyasha kept one of Kagome's hands in his, and put her other on his chest. Kagome inhaled deeply, then sighed, resting her head on his chest. Inuyasha wrapped his free arm around Kagome's back, and began to sway to the soft melody playing.


I could stay awake just to hear you breathing,
Watch you smile while you are sleeping,
While you're far away and dreaming,
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender,
I could stay lost in this moment forever,
When every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure,

Why were things so confusing between them? Kagome thought. One minute, she was sure he was in love with her, then the next, he seemed so distant.

I don't wanna close my eyes,
I don't wanna fall asleep,
Cause I'd miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you,
The sweetest dream would never do,
I'd still miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

Inuyasha closed his eyes, and let the music and mood, have it's way with him. He tightened his arms around Kagome and sighed. Something had to be said, or done. The hidden tension between them was getting to him. And he didn't know if he could take being so close to her, with whatever it was, hanging between them.

Lying close to you,
feeling your heart beating,
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming,
Wondering if it's me you're seeing,
And then I kiss your eyes,
And thank God we're together,
I just wanna stay with you in this moment forever,
Forever and ever.

Kagome held onto Inuyasha's shirt more firmly and closed her eyes also. What was wrong? Why did she have the feeling that she was waiting for something to happen, before everything turned out right?

I don't wanna close my eyes,
I don't wanna fall asleep,
Cause I'd miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you,
The sweetest dream would never do,
I'd still miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

Sooner or later, they'd have to go back to Tokyo, Inuyasha thought. He hadn't told anyone about his plans to runaway with Kagome. He had been so bent on actually running away with her, that he hadn't really thought about anything else. Which was why, he was so anxious now.

And I don't wanna miss one smile,
I don't wanna miss one kiss,
I just wanna be with you,
Right here with you, just like this,
Well I just wanna hold you close,
And feel your heart so close to mine,
And just stay here in this moment,
For all the rest of time
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah

I don't wanna close my eyes,
I don't wanna fall asleep,
Cause I'd miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you,
The sweetest dream would never do,
I'd still miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

Inuyasha inhaled Kagome's beautiful scent, and it calmed his nerves somewhat. He didn't notice that they were the only couple left, dancing on the floor. The only thing on his mind being the woman in his arms.

I don't wanna close my eyes,
I don't wanna fall asleep,
Cause I'd miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you,
The sweetest dream would never do,
I'd still miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

Kagome opened her eyes and looked up at Inuyasha. His eyes were closed, and his face looked tired. But despite all that, he still looked breath-taking, in Kagome's opinion. Inuyasha opened his eyes and looked straight at her. He leaned down, and right when he was just an inch away, a shrill ring interrupted his action.

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing

Kagome pulled away from him, and reached into her pocket. She looked up at him apologetically, then walked back towards the table, to what look like, take the call. She had turned her cell phone back on?

Kagome sat down in her seat at the table, and looked at caller ID on her screen. It was Kouga... She swallowed the lump in her throat. Why did she decide to turn her cell phone back on? The whole point in running away, was so that no one from Tokyo would be able to reach them, at least for a while. She was about to turn her phone back off and forget about it, when it was suddenly snatched from her hand. She looked up to see Inuyasha glowering down at her. He looked at the caller ID and his eyes widened. He hit the reject button then hastily shut the phone off.

"How long have you been talking to Kouga behind my back?" He demanded.

Kagome looked at him helplessly. "Yash, I haven't been talking to him, I just--"

"Don't lie to me, Kagome. You told me you turned your phone off." Inuyasha harshly said.

"I did, it was just--" Kagome started, but was cut off again.

"We're leaving. Let's go." Inuyasha bit out. He turned on his heel and went to pay the bill. He wasn't quite sure why, but suddenly, he was mad. Hell, he was pissed. What the fuck was going on? Why was she talking to Kouga when they were the ones who were running away together. Did she regret coming with him?

Kagome followed Inuyasha out of the restaurant, steamed. What right did he have to freakin' jump to conclusions? And what was his problem, anyway? Cutting her off like that, she thought. She opened the passenger side door and closed it as hard as she could. Inuyasha paid her no mind as he got into the car and started it. The drive back home was anything but comforting. 'So much for a wonderful birthday dinner.' Kagome thought.

When they reached the house, Inuyasha said "We're not done talking."

"Like Hell we aren't." Kagome threw at him. As soon as the car stopped, she practically flew out of it, opening the front door of the house, and heading towards her room to lock herself in it for the rest of the night.

"Kagome! Come back, here! I said, we weren't done talking." She heard Inuyasha roar from downstairs. She could hear his pounding foot-steps following her, but refused to turn around. She just didn't feel like talking to him right now. She wanted time alone to cool off, and think. And she thought, maybe he needed it too, probably more so than her.

"And I said, we were!" Kagome finally reached her room and went in it. She slammed the door and marched off to her bed forgeting to do one thing though... Lock the door. Soon enough, Inuyasha came barreling though, knocking the door into the wall so hard, she thought it might crack.

"What the fuck?! Who said you could walk away from me?!" Inuyasha screamed, standing in the doorway.

Kagome whipped her head around so fast to glare at him, she almost fell down. "What? You walked away from me ten freakin' years ago! You think your so high and mighty that you can just leave people and expect them to treat you like royalty after?!" She screamed at him.

"What did you just say to me?" Inuyasha quietly asked her, his rage becoming more apparent by the second.

Kagome glared at him. "You heard me."

Inuyasha slowly walked over to where she stood by the bed, so that he was standing just a few feet in front of her. "You have no right, to criticize me for leaving you, then. You knew why I left. You think I chose to leave?" He said, in a deadly calm voice, rage barely contained.

Kagome scoffed at him, turning her head. "Sure could've fooled me. Yeah, Yash. I can tell you really mourned leaving me. Especially since you came back for me later. Oh wait, you didn't."

"So, what, is this how you see me? How you'll always see me? I told you, I was sorry for not looking for you sooner. I told you, I wanted to get my shit together before I found you." Inuyasha said, through gritted teeth.

Kagome gave a short laugh, but not like she was happy. She turned to look at him pointedly. "Tell me, Yash. Where is that world, you promised me?"

Inuyasha narrowed his golden eyes at her. "Is that all you care about? Material objects? If so, then tell me right now. That way, I can just send you back to Kouga, cause you ain't gonna get all that shit from me."

Kagome took the last steps between them, and slapped him across the face. Hard. "How dare you... You know that's not what I meant." She choked out, so angry, she wanted to shove something down Inuyasha's throat.

"What? I mean, isn't that why you've been talking to him behind my back? You know, FYI Kagome, if you run away with one man, you don't chat it up with another." Inuyasha spat at her, rubbing his cheek.

"I wasn't even talking to him, you asshole! I just turned my phone back on, tonight. He called, I was going to reject it, then turn it off, but you just had to come up and open your big goddamn mouth!" Kagome screamed at him, tears running down her face now, and breathing hard.

All the anger drained from Inuyasha as soon as her words sunk in, and at the sight of her tear-stained face. Crap... "Kagome..." Inuyasha slowly walked over to where she sat, crumpled on the floor, and reached for her.

"Don't touch me, you bastard. Just, get out." Kagome softly said, moving away from him.

"Kagome..." Inuyasha softly pleaded.

"Get out."

"Kags..."

"I said, get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! " Kagome screamed. She got up from her position on the floor and began to aimlessly punch and thrash against Inuyasha. And he let her. All the while, Kagome was sobbing, and cursing Inuyasha. Around more 15 minutes of thrashing, Kagome began to get tired. Inuyasha lifted her chin, so that she was looking at him, and as soon as he did, he got another slap. Not as hard as the first, but still a slap. "Get out." Kagome hoarsely whispered, her face downcast.

"Kagome, baby, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. Please... I'm sorry." Inuyasha murmured, wrapping his arms, tight around her trembling frame. Kagome began to struggle in his embrace, and tried to pull away. Inuyasha didn't know what to do, so he did the only thing that came to mind, that he thought might help the situation. He kissed her. Kagome struggled even more in his grasp and started kicking out. Inuyasha pressed his lips more firmly into her's, and kissed her, like he was dying, and she was life. After a minute or two more of struggling, all the fight, just seemed to seep out of Kagome. She was exhausted, and the feel of his lips on hers, was just too alluring. She was still mad as Hell at him for what he did and said, but she'd deal with him later. For right now, she'd just take in all the sensations she could get, and simply, not think about anything at all. Inuyasha led her tired body, back towards the bed. When the back of her knees hit it, he gently maneuvered her onto it. He continued to kiss her, and nearly shouted in triumph, when he felt her kissing him back. He was such an ass, he thought.

Kagome gasped when he finally left her mouth, only to trail a hot path of kisses down her neck. She knew what was coming. And she was ready for it.

Inuyasha hastily pulled his shirt over his head, and threw it to the ground. He went back to kissing Kagome's neck and let his hands roam her body. Kagome sighed and rested her hands on his broad, bare shoulders. Inuyasha longed to feel her bare skin on his so he began tugging on her blouse. When it wouldn't come off easily, he stopped for a moment to look at it. Of course, it was a button down. Well, then again so was his, and that hadn't stopped him. He quickly unbuttoned Kagome's blouse then distractedly threw it somewhere. He moved his body over Kagome's and put his elbows on both sides of her head. He leaned his head down, and gently nibbled on her bottom lip. When she opened her mouth he took the invitation and went right in. He kissed her ever so tenderly, and sweetly, that Kagome nearly wept again. Before, it was like a battle of tongues. But now, it was all about giving. Her. The feel of Kagome's bare skin on his, made him groan. He stroked her hair with one hand, and moved the other down her body. He touched her neck first, then her shoulders, then to her stomache. He moved his head down to suck on the tender skin of her neck then moved his hand over her breast. He gently caressed her through the bra, and continued sucking and kissing her neck.

Kagome moaned at the feel oh his big hand on her and fell apart. "Please..."

Inuyasha began kissing down her neck, and when he reached her bra, he looked up at her. When she nodded, he gently took the contraption off, then carelessly threw it somewhere. He looked down at her exposed chest and his mouth watered. He leaned down to lay soft kisses on the tops of them. Kagome began to stroke his ears and hair and moaned when he took one of her breasts into her mouth, playing with the other with one of his hands. When he was done with one, he switched to the other.

Kagome was on fire. She could feel the tingles, all the way to her toes. God... The sensations and feelings this man could wreak on her body and mind. She never thought it could be like this. She gasped at the sudden feel of one of his hands between her legs. He began to stroke her through the material of her pants. Faster, and faster. Kagome was panting by the time he moved his head from her chest back up to her lips. He kissed her hard this time. Kagome gripped his shoulders, and felt him move both hands to the button of her pants. When it was open, he quickly pulled them down her legs and threw them somewhere. Then he did the same with his own, and went back to lie on top of her. Kagome squirmed at the sudden feel of his entire naked body on hers and gasped. Inuyasha began kissing her again, bracing both his arms beside her shoulders, and positioning himself between her legs. Kagome sharply gasped this time, the feel of his head at her entrance seeming too much.

Inuyasha pulled back from the kiss, breathing hard. He looked down into Kagome's face and the dazed, anticipatory expression on her face made him groan. This was really happening, he thought in utter amazement. "Are you ready, Kags?"

Kagome stared up into his drowning golden eyes and slowly nodded. She shivered. The look of such need and hunger in his eyes caused goose-bumps to bloom on her skin. Inuyasha leaned down and began kissing her again, softly at first, then all of a sudden, the kiss became bruising, at the exact same moment he thrust into her. Kagome cried out at the sharp pain, and tried to pull away, but Inuyasha muffled her cries with his gentle kisses. He stood still above her, and pulled his face back a little to look at her. He waited for her to give him the signal to continue. He kissed away any stray tears and gently caressed her face with his hands. After a few minutes of stillness, Kagome made a little rotating motion with her hips. Inuyasha moaned at the feel of her tight body, and began to pull himself out, then push his way back in. Over and over again, he repeated the motion. His body was begging him to take things hard, rough, and fast, but this was Kagome's first time, so he contented himself with taking her slow and tender. Kagome lifted her legs and wrapped them around Inuyasha, so that her ankles crossed at the small of his back. Inuyasha moaned again at the tight press of flesh, and began to pump into her, a bit harder and faster.

Kagome was panting. She really didn't think it would be like this. She moaned aloud at something Inuyasha did with his hips, then brought his face down to hers for a kiss. A sheen of sweat bloomed on their slapping bodies and Kagome could taste the salt of it, on Inuyasha's lips, face. He pulled away to get a better balance on the bed, but she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, tightly. He tried to thrust more, but couldn't move, so he used his arms, and lifted Kagome so that she was leaning against the headboard. "I want to move," came his hoarse whisper.

Kagome whimpered at the sharper angle and gripped his back, raking her nails down. Inuyasha began to thrust and move within her faster. Kagome could feel a strange pressure building in her body, and a minute later she screamed, squeezing him. Inuyasha moaned and started pumping into her even faster and harder, with abandon, and then soon, he came too, groaning, while releasing himself into her at the same time. Inuyasha slumped onto Kagome, panting. He pulled out of her and moved his body a little, so he that he was half on top her, and half beside her. He buried his face into the crook of her neck and took a deep breath. Wow...

Kagome took deep breaths, trying to deliver the oxygen her body needed. Wow, she thought.

Inuyasha put one arm under her head, and wrapped the other tightly around her waist, pulling her against him. "Happy Birthday," he softly whispered into her ear.

She smiled with her eyes closed, and snuggled into his warm body. "Happy Birthday."

Inuyasha smiled, then placed a soft kiss on her lips. He laid back down with his head, right next to hers. Moments later, the couple lay asleep in each other's arms...


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The soft sound of a guitar being played woke Kagome up. She drearily looked around for the clock and saw that she had only been asleep for a few hours. Who was playing the guitar? Kagome blinked her eyes a few times, and rubbed the rest of her sleepiness from them. She looked around and found Inuyasha sitting cross-legged on the bed, with his back to her, playing the guitar softly. He was wearing his boxer shorts and nothing else. The perfect line of his back made her mouth water, especially after that whole escapade earlier. Kagome looked down at herself and blushed. She took the blanket and covered her front with it, while still sitting down. Inuyasha turned around at the sound of sheets rustling, and smiled at her, eyes so full of adoration and love. "You're up?" He whispered, turning his whole body to face her.

When Kagome simply nodded, he smiled again. "I have something for you. Actually, I have two somethings for you."

"What are they?" Kagome softly asked, the cover of night, giving them a secret intimacy, only the dark could provide.

Inuyasha shook his head. He offered her two closed fists. "Pick one, and you'll get it first."

Kagome looked at his fists, then at his grinning face and shrugged, picking the fist on the left.

Inuyasha beamed. "You have chosen to receive my gift of music first, pretty lady."

Kagome straightened up and pulled the blanket around her, looking at him expectantly.

"Remember that song you wanted to hear, yesterday? And I wouldn't let you, because it wasn't done? Well, it's done now. It was for you. One of my birthday presents to you." Inuyasha said, looking directly into her eyes.

"But I thought that earlier, when you said happy birthday, that that was my..." Kagome started.

Inuyasha chuckled. "No, baby. That wasn't your present. That was more like a prequel of all the things to come."

Kagome smiled, and nodded, telling him she was ready.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this song was written for and is dedicated to my beautiful Kags. It's called 'The Memory Will Never Die.' I love you, baby." Inuyasha said, smiling.

Kagome giggled, then a moment later, he began to strum the guitar chords, all the while, keeping his eyes on her.

I whisper in your ear, the words you want to hear
You feel the wind and it reminds you
It happens everytime, you stop and close your eyes
You can't deny what lives inside you
Well I know it's hard to see, what is meant to be
When yesterday is so far behind you

Kagome scooted closer to Inuyasha, bringing the sheets with her. She sat directly in front of him, and watched his movements intently. The sound of his lilting voice made her shiver.

Deep inside your soul, though-
I'm always there

You made me believe, that day you surrender to me
The memory will never die
The love that you gave, I'll never throw it away
The memory will never die

She moved her hands from under the bunched up sheets and began to lightly stroke his knees and legs, smiling at him.

The ties take a turn
Another lesson learned
I'm right here, but still you wonder
But you say that you need more
And it's known it was before
You're on your own and going under

Deep inside your soul, though-
I'm always there

The sound of his voice in the dark made her feel special. He was singing just for her. And she loved it.

You made me believe, that day you surrender to me
The memory will never die
The love that you gave, I'll never throw it away
The memory will never die

Whenever you wake up
Whenever you gave up all that you had for nothing at all
The bed that you lay in, remember you made it
And nobody's there to catch you when you fall

Inuyasha played the guitar for a little while, a little smile playing on his lips, his eyes never straying from the woman in front of him.

You made me believe, that day you surrender to me
The memory will never die
The love that you gave, I'll never throw it away
The memory will never die

You made me believe, that day you surrender to me
The memory will never die
The love that you gave, I'll never throw it away
The memory will never die


"Well, what did you think? I know it may not seem like much, but I really thought about this song. I mean, it's still not perfected or anything yet, but--" Inuyasha went on.

"I love it." Kagome said, suddenly.

"Huh?" Inuyasha asked, placing the guitar gently on the floor.

"I loved it. I couldn't ask for a more wonderful birthday present." Kagome said, moving to embrace him.

Inuyasha returned the hug with a relieved sigh, glad that she liked the song. He wrapped his arms around her, and placed a soft kiss on her neck, before pulling away. "I have one more thing for you."

"You've given me more than enough." Kagome said, looking at him.

"I know, but since I love you so much, I got you extra." Inuyasha laughed, reaching over the bed to grab his pants. He stuck his hand into the front pockets and came up with a rectangular shaped, velvet box.

Kagome swallowed. Was that...

Inuyasha chuckled at the look on her face and shook his head. "No, it's not an engagement ring. I don't think we'll be needing that. Yet."

Kagome gave an audible sigh of relief. "What is it, then? Usually, only jewelry comes in velvet boxes."

"Your right, it is." Inuyasha said, smiling. He moved over, so that he was sitting closely next to Kagome. He stroked her bare back with one hand and offered her the box with the other. "Here."

Kagome took the box from him, then slowly opened it. She turned to him and said, "I thought you said it wasn't a ring."

"No, I said, it wasn't an engagement ring." Inuyasha said, leaning down to lay butterfly kisses on her shoulder. "Just look at it."

Kagome took the ring out of it's box and examined it. It was a plain, silver band. But she noticed, that there was something engraved into the front. A word. "Lost?" She asked him, confused at it's meaning.

Inuyasha smirked, and leaned his head on her shoulder, still caressing her arms. "Look on the inside."

Kagome raised her eyes at him but shrugged. She held the ring up into the dim lighting of the room and saw, that there indeed, was another engraved word on the inside of the silver band. Her eyes watered as soon as she read the word and launched herself at Inuyasha, completely forgetting about her modesty, and the sheet. She tightly wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her face into his chest, sniffling. Inuyasha laughed, and wrapped his arms around her.

"Found?" She hiccuped.

Inuyasha pulled back and nodded, looking straight into watery, chocolate-brown depths. "Lost and Found."

Kagome sniffled again and hugged him tighter. "I love it."

Inuyasha ran his hands up and down her back. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Kagome whispered.

Inuyasha quickly pulled back again to look at her with wider eyes. "What did you say?"

"I love you, too." Kagome said, looking him straight in the eye.

The replying smile he gave her was so big, Kagome smiled in return, at it's radiance.

Inuyasha wrapped his arms around the woman he loved and sighed.

Finally...



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A.N.: Well... As you can see, I changed my mind. Heh. LoL. The beginning of the chapter was easy to write, but I'm not sure about how the chapter turned out, as a whole. Remember, this is my very first lemon, so be kind! Haha. Review! Oh yeah, and thanks to all those who reviewed last chapter! I read them all, sorry this update was so late, but...I hope this was fluffy enough for you. To tell the truth, I think I write angst a bit better than fluff, but hey, that's just me. LoL.













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