InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gods' Opinion ❯ The Storm ( Chapter 26 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The Gods' Opinion

Disclaimer: Almost all characters belong to Takahashi Rumiko.

Warning: This is a mature story and I mean that in more than this story only containing sexual situations and bad language. It contains adult themes.

Summary: Kagome is trying hard to have a baby. But when things don't work out, she visits the best fertility doctor in the world. She finds her feelings and beliefs challenged as she struggles to hold onto her dreams.

xxxxx-----xxx-----xxxxx

Chapter Twenty and Six The Storm

Kagome walked out of the familiar brick building, stepping out into the warm outdoors. Today was different than most days as she wasn't at her three places of residence: the Shrine, the market, or the restaurant.

As she walked down the paths she used to walk along several years ago, she wondered if Eri was around. Kagome felt herself needing to talk to the very easy-going woman. Maybe she could help Kagome out with a little problem she found herself having.

“Hello? Eri?” Kagome called out, opening the door to her friend's office. While Eri worked on her dissertation, she taught sexuality classes at the university. It was one of the most popular courses on campus. Eri taught a basic sexuality class that many took to fulfill their human studies elective, as well as other courses for those who needed something for their particular major.

“Hey, Kagome, what a surprise! Come on in.”

Kagome entered the tidy office, closing the door behind her, requesting privacy for the matter she wanted to discuss. “I'm not bothering you, am I?”

“Nah, just putting together topics for the finals coming up.”

“Is that hard?”

“No, not really. I try to scour the news and see what's currently going on. That helps. I like making the questions seem really impossible to answer.”

“Oh, like what?”

“Uh, well, I don't have it worded exactly how I want it to sound yet, but…um…how will current Japanese views on sexuality allow the country to confront comfort women?”

“Wow, I'm glad you're not my teacher! At least you're not asking them to compare and contrast comfort women with modern prostitution.”

“Kagome, that's a great one. I like making my students take positions on their beliefs.”

“I hated those types of papers. Well, I mean, I know what my beliefs are, but they always asked to give supporting evidence and that's not always easy.”

“That's mandatory when writing papers. So, what brings you to campus?”

“The career fair.”

“Seeking or speaking?”

“Speaking. I'm the unofficial spokeswoman for the culinary institute. And it helped that I graduated from here.”

“That's cool. I don't get invited to those things.”

Kagome grinned. “For obvious reasons.”

“Because if people found out you can do what I do for a job, we'd have no civil servants.”

“That's true.”

“Never underestimate the power of sex.”

“Eri…”

“Mmmm?”

“I…I'm scared.”

“Scared? Scared of what? Who?”

“Sex. I'm scared of sex. There's so much I'm afraid of. I think…I think that's why Inuyasha and I haven't…”

“Kagome…What about it is scary?”

Kagome slouched dejectedly in the chair she was sitting in. “I don't know. Everything?”

“Yeah, that helps,” Eri smiled, rolling her eyes. “Just start somewhere, anywhere.”

Kagome took a deep breath and let it all spill out. “What if I can't orgasm? What if I'm not good enough? What if I can't get wet enough? Or not at all? Is it going to hurt? Am I expected to know positions? Am I supposed to wear anything special? Will it be…boring…Is he going to expect me to perform oral sex? I've never done that before. Will he perform oral sex on me? What does that feel like? What about anal? Eri, I barely know what a real penis looks like. Are hanyou any different? How do inu-hanyou actually do it? What if he has…has kinks?” Kagome looked up at Eri when she was finished with her first round of questions as she waited for answers.

“Doggie-style, I presume.” Eri chuckled at herself. “Sorry, bad joke. But Kagome, good questions by the way, but, all girls…well, a majority of girls, have those exact same questions anytime they start to think about having sex with a new partner. I'm sure he's thinking similar questions. What if he gets too excited and ejaculates before you've had yours? Will he frighten you because he isn't fully human? What if you don't like it? What if he can't make you orgasm? Should he do oral or not? You might like anal and he doesn't know that and then doesn't know if he should proceed or not. He is probably worried that he might hurt you which he most likely doesn't want to do.”

“Guys are really insecure after all, aren't they?”

“Eh, they aren't that much different than us. They just tend to deal with it in a completely different manner.”

“How do I overcome all of these fears about sex?”

“You really want to have sex with him?”

“I think so.”

“Sorry, but you won't be able to conquer these fears until you are absolutely sure. I can't tell you how many woman, and even men, in all races that have some lingering doubts during their sexual experiences and then wonder why it wasn't so good.”

“So, you're saying that once I decide whether or not I'm truly ready for sex, only then can I figure this out?”

“Yup. Kagome, take it from me, sex can be a scary thing, but you have to be comfortable with yourself before you can tackle the scariness of it. I know my body inside and out. I stay healthy and clean, personal hygiene is an absolute must. I know what turns me on and I know my boundaries.”

“Is sex really this complicated?”

“Sometimes. I've totally avoided all the emotional and psychological impacts and effects of sex. You'll have to confer with Dr. Sango on that side of it. But, I do know that the physical and mental are really connected. Because I know my own personal sexual preferences, I enjoy mostly all of the sexual encounters I engage in.”

“That's a lot.”

“I know. I've had super great ones and ones that I could do without, but never has it been so bad it made me ever question it. You…especially you, you do not want to have sex with Inuyasha and then later start to question it because then you'll end up regretting it.”

“You've had sex with a hanyou, what's that like? I mean, is there anything I should know or expect?”

“Well, because of their demon heritage, they have a lot of stamina. Also, it's spring, meaning they are a bit more…mmmm…carnal…primal…But I can't give you any specifics. Each demon heritage has its own mating rituals that many still follow to this day.”

“Isn't that what you're studying?”

“Mmmm….yeah…kinda…it's a part of it. Did…did Hojo do something to you during any of your sexcapades to make you so worried now?

Kagome shook her head. “Nothing more than what I told you when I confessed everything to all of you after I broke up with him. `Wham, bam, thank you Miss Kagome.' I think he did thank me one time afterwards. That was awkward.”

“From what you tell us about Inuyasha, I doubt he'll be anything like Hojo.”

“Er…is that good or bad?”

“You can tell me when you fuck him.”

“What? No. I…I'm not going to talk about it.”

“Ah, why not?”

“Eri, I'm not you.”

“Well, tell me if it was any good or not at least.”

“My one and only other sexual partner was Hojo and compared to that, just kissing Inuyasha is a whole lot better.”

“Then what do you have to worry about? He seems more than capable of pleasuring you beyond anything you've ever experienced.”

“I hope so,” Kagome sighed out. “I would hate it if I…I'd have to give up on men all together then.”

Eri laughed out. “Nothing wrong with women.”

“I don't think I could do it with them.”

“There's always other options.”

“Thanks Eri.” Kagome stood up. “I better get back.”

“Kagome?”

“Yeah?”

“How you feel about Inuyasha will impact your first time with him. Maybe, instead of looking at the mechanics of your fears, check out your feelings. I know how you are. You can orgasm just fine on your own so…think about that.”

“Okay, thanks. I will.”

xxxxx-----xxx-----xxxxx

Kagome nibbled on her bottom lip as she traveled up in the elevator carrying two large sacks filled with groceries for tonight's dinner. She was so nervous; she was already making herself sick. Her hands were clammy and the muscles in her stomach were tying themselves into impossible knots, like those long telephone cords that can never be untangled. And she was just in the elevator.

She only had lunch with Inuyasha two times that week. Wednesday after lunch, he had to fly to Beijing for a conference. He told her he would be home late Friday night and that dinner was still expected to occur Saturday night at his place. And so Wednesday after lunch, until today, she thought about what to wear and what to cook for this occasion.

Eri wasn't the only person she ended up talking to. Normally, she wasn't the type to seek out advice as she was the one who often gave it. But she had no advice for herself because she had basically zero experience in the matter.

She called Yuka Wednesday night. Yuka said what Kagome expected her feminist friend to share. Kagome was thankful that she refrained from telling Yuka that Inuyasha was in heat. Yuka's advice was to make sure that Kagome was in charge, that in the end it was her decision. Kagome explained that they had already agreed on that. Inuyasha earned some points with Yuka for that.

Ayumi's advice was predictable as well. The married mother of two wished Kagome a sweet and loving experience that they would both cherish together. Despite being part demon, Inuyasha did have his softer, tenderer moments as she recalled the night in the restaurant when he visited her and she ended up cutting her foot. Ayumi was the opposite of Yuka. At least she got the most extreme opinions.

Kagome saved talking to Sango and Ayame last, but was convinced that they were told about Kagome's search for advice ahead of time as they both had somewhat prepared speeches to give her. Not that she minded though.

Talking with Ayame was really important to her because she was a demon and easily shared things she could expect from Inuyasha, but, at the same time, warned Kagome that because she wasn't a dog demon herself, she didn't know for sure what it would be like. Ayame's last words played out in the front of Kagome's mind: He'd never hurt you.

And then she talked to Sango. She found that to be rather difficult as Sango was not only her psychologist at one point, but because she was Inuyasha's friend. Kagome trusted Sango not to share any of this with Inuyasha, which helped her to be more open with the doctor.

Sango didn't say much and, instead, only repeated the sound advice that the other girls had said. Kagome left Sango's unsure of how her friend felt about her and Inuyasha's possible union. Maybe Sango's whole point was to just see what would happen. That no matter what advice they could give her, it would end up being between Kagome and Inuyasha.

By the time she finished sorting through all of the advice tossed her way, she arrived onto his floor. Kagome stepped off the elevator and slowly walked down the carpeted hallway glancing at the numbers on the doors until she found the one that Inuyasha said was his.

Sheesh, he could've just told me it was the one on the end.

She noticed that the door to the stairwell was to the right and what she assumed to be the door to another apartment was on her left. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath and then slowly let it out. She calmed down only just a little bit. Reaching over, she pressed the doorbell button before taking a step back to wait.

Kagome pressed her lips together, rocking back and forth on her heels as she semi-patiently waited for the door to open. They hadn't agreed on a time, so she hoped she wasn't too early. There was no way she wanted to trek back to the Shrine and then try coming back again.

“Hey,” a voice interrupted her thoughts. Kagome looked up and then lost her breath. There he stood and she was lost. She sheepishly smiled when she realized how badly she was gawking at him. She looked like a complete idiot. She was good at doing that.

Inuyasha stepped off to the side and motioned for her to come in. Once inside, he closed and locked the door behind her. “Closet's there, for your shoes.”

Kagome nodded as she stepped out of her heels, shrinking down a few inches. When she looked up, Sango was right, there was no way anyone could see what his place looked like from the entrance alone, considering the way the place was set up.

“Gimme that,” he demanded, pulling the grocery bags from her hands. He set them down on the wooden floor in the hallway.

“Uh…” Kagome started to protest. She had good food in those bags.

Inuyasha took a hold of her hand and yanked her down the hallway. “You probably want the tour.”

Kagome tried to nod, but found herself being jerked forward rather awkwardly. Her feet stumbled against the cool wooden floor as she scrambled to catch up with the hanyou. He was always in such a hurry. His constant rushing around intimidated her, though she couldn't pinpoint her exact reason for feeling such a way.

Kagome took her first peek at his place and into whom Inuyasha was as a person…er…hanyou. The color of the walls was that of milk with a tint of coffee mixed in. It was bright, but not blinding, something she hated about white walls. Blocks of watercolor paintings decorated the smooth expanse of the flat plane; paintings with calm scenes of forests and meadows, like a place of fantasy, or of a time long ago.

“Living area,” he quietly spoke as he motioned to the large space he pulled her into. He really was just a simple guy. There was a couch, a fire place that dangled down from the ceiling and hovered over the floor, a spiral staircase, and windows - lots and lots of windows that gave him what had to be one of the best views of Tokyo. “Stairs lead to the office which is also a spare bedroom and has my exercise equipment.”

“Oh,” she softly replied as her eyes trailed up the staircase, only to disappear into the ceiling.

“That's the bathroom through there.” He pointed in some direction that she missed while gazing out the windows. He pulled her along to another area. “Dining area,” he proclaimed rather annoyed.

The dining room was basically an extension of the living area with a square table and four chairs, one on each side. And, of course, more windows.

“Is that…” she started to ask, pointing out the tall windows behind the dining table.

“Yeah. Balcony.”

“Really? It looks big.”

“It is. There's plants and stuff out there too.”

“Are you…green?”

“Keh. Not really. It just absorbs the nasty smells of the city so I can be outside.”

“Do you wish that cities like this never existed?”

“No!” he said, his voice raising in volume. “It's because of progress that there's ramen!”

Kagome smiled. “Of course—what kind of world would we be living in if you didn't have your precious ramen?” Kagome teased the now-blushing hanyou.

“Feh, whatever.”

“So, is this it then?”

“Pretty much.”

“EH!” Kagome screeched. Inuyasha's ears slammed down against his skull, trying to dig their way into the safety of his thick silver hair. “I brought food to cook and …what? Is your microwave plugged up in your office? Do you even have food here?”

Inuyasha waited until she was done ranting. “Fuck. I do like to hear out of my ears, thank you very much.”

“Did you expect takeout for dinner?”

“You do run a restaurant.”

“So? What good does that do me at this very moment?” Her face was getting red as she huffed and puffed at the infuriating hanyou.

“Are you done yet?” He asked as he crossed his arms against his chest, shifting his weight as he stared her down.

“I came here to cook you a nice meal and now I can't.”

“And why not?” Was she going to actually cry?

“Hello? No kitchen.”

“Hello?” he snapped back. “I have a damn kitchen.”

“Eh?”

“Since you've got a cooking fetish, I was saving it for last.”

“Oh…well…heh...okay then…”

He just shook his head at her. But he couldn't blame her as he did it on purpose. The way she got all riled up, it caused her eyes to sparkle and then there was that pink flush that flashed through her skin; it was beautiful. And her scent…it overloaded his nasal sensory receptors, dizzying his mind in a good, intoxicating way.

Grabbing a hold of her hand once again, he led her through the dining area to show her the kitchen. He basically assumed it would be a big deal to her and she seemed to be the type that would make it into a big deal. Yeah, he knew that sometimes he could be a real ass.

“Here. The real reason you wanted to come over,” he stated, dropping her hand from his.

“Wow…it's…”

“Not what you expected?”

“No, not at all. Quite the opposite.”

The kitchen was as long as it was narrow, but still roomy enough to move about. The sink was against the wall with a window overlooking the balcony and the city. He had all of the basics she would expect to find in a kitchen: stove, oven, dishwasher, and fridge.

It was the feel of the room, the décor that really had her surprised and utterly speechless. Black granite countertops with stainless steal appliances. The cabinets were wood, something that was extremely expensive in Japan; they were stained a dark reddish-black color. It was peaceful, a feeling she loved in any kitchen.

“Do…do you actually use it?” she had to ask. It was too clean, too spotless, showing that maybe, it was more for show than for practicality.

“Yes.”

“Really? But it looks so…unused.”

“I can take care of myself,” he shot out, taking some offense to her insinuations.

“I didn't mean to imply that…it's just…ramen only needs hot water.”

“You…you think I can't cook?” He suddenly felt like challenging her, in order to prove himself to her.

“I wouldn't call instant ramen cooking.”

“Oi, I can cook.”

“Right. I did make you buy that stuff to spruce up your ramen. Still…”

“Whatever.”

“Well, I guess I'll just have to take your word.” Kagome headed around the corner, back into the hallway to grab the bag of groceries she brought with her. Now that she knew he had at least a refrigerator, she could store the ingredients until it was time to cook.

“What are you making for me?” Inuyasha asked when Kagome returned to the kitchen, trying to sneak a peek and a whiff from the bags of groceries.

“Um, actually, I couldn't decide, so I bought enough ingredients for either dish. I suppose you could choose since it is your dinner.”

“Sure.”

“Okay, I decided against ramen because, well, I'm not you. I just can't eat it all of the time.” Kagome started pulling the ingredients out as she began to describe what it was she wanted to cook.

“I wanted something simple, tasty, and filling, so, at first I thought niku jyagu sounded good. Meat and potatoes. Then when I was going through my recipes, shabu shabu caught my eye and for some reason, it wouldn't leave me alone. I stuck with common Japanese dishes instead of scaring you with some fancy foreign food.”

“Both sound good. I don't care.”

“Mmmm…you could probably eat both, but I'm thinking I'm going to cook the niku jyagu. Potatoes sound really good today.”

“Fine.”

Kagome kept the ingredients she required for the beef dish out and put the ones for shabu shabu back inside the bag. She put the unneeded groceries in his fridge, leaving another excuse to come over and `fondle' his kitchen.

“Would you like to help?”

“What?” He was a bit shocked by her question.

“You can cook with me. It's a relatively easy dish. One reason why it's so popular.”

“I told you I can cook,” he countered back, seeing through her ruse.

“Yes, yes,” she said, waving off his defensive statement.

“Keh, the old man taught me,” Inuyasha confessed as he grabbed the small bag of potatoes. Kagome froze, stunned by his sudden confession. “Said it was important.”

“You mean all of this time…ugh…I feel like the biggest idiot.”

“I can't cook like the old man. Just simple shit for myself. Enough to survive. That was how he put it.”

“It's a good skill to know. I hate how so many people consider cooking a woman's job. Then guys complain about living off convenience store bento boxes and the such.”

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“Well, since you already have the potatoes in your hands, they need to be peeled and cut into chunks before we soak them in water.”

“Easy enough.” He pulled the potatoes out of the sack and held up his hand, stretching and bending his fingers, each one of his phalanges cracking.

Kagome looked up from the carrots she was attending to. Her eyes went wide as Inuyasha evilly grinned at the potatoes. “You…you're not…”

“What?”

“Your claws?”

“So?”

“Did you at least wash your hands?”

He blinked at her a few times. She was…she was going to let him actually use his claws to slice up the vegetables? That was slightly unexpected. Relaxing, he sighed as he walked over to the sink and washed his hands. When he finished, he held them up to her so she could inspect them. “See, clean now.”

“Good. Who knows what those claws have scratched?”

“Keh, just my ass.”

“Ew…grosser…” she giggled out at him, pushing him back over to his potatoes.

He laughed at her as he made his way over to the other side of the kitchen island to show the potatoes who was the master in his domain. They were going to be destroyed.

But first, Inuyasha left the kitchen and returned with some music playing softly in the background. He thought they would need some ambient sounds to fill in the quiet gaps.

“Do you ever cook for yourself?” Kagome asked as she sliced the carrots into razor thin pieces.

“Not really. I don't have the time. I order take out from the old man and then eat and work. Only on the days I decide to take off do I cook something up.”

Kagome dumped the carrots into a bowl she found, filling it up with water. “Do you ever invite others over and cook for them?”

“No,” he quickly replied.

“Oh,” she softly said. She grabbed the onion and worked on peeling off the outer layers before cutting it up into long narrow pieces. “You should; you have a nice place.”

“Have no reason to. Okay, next.” He really didn't want to talk about having friendly social gatherings at his place. Kagome was the type that knew tons of people and invited them over for food and drinks. There were a lot of people at her graduation party.

“The beef. Cut it into thin slices.”

“How thin?”

“Ummm…I don't know. Thin enough to cook quickly, but not thin enough to see through.”

He shrugged as he quickly worked his claws through the beef fillets she had bought. Buying a lot of food had almost become a habit for Kagome. Inuyasha was always there when she planned recipes and meals. It wasn't like she cooked for demons in general, but more of a, `Would this bother Inuyasha?' and other thoughts along that general consensus.

“Are your pans here?” Kagome asked as she pulled open some cupboards next to the stove. There they were. “Ah, found them. Mmm…skillet? Oh, here is one. And a pan. No…too small. This one will do now…a lid…”

Inuyasha stopped slicing the meat as soon as he noticed that Kagome was on all fours, on the floor, her ass waggling in front of him. His mouth fell open as he temporarily forgot that he needed to breathe. She still worked out and in those jeans…he gulped.

Fuck…I'm in trouble…

He closed his eyes tightly, hoping the lids could contain the scarlet blood that was quickly flooding into his golden pools. Not now…never…he never wanted her to bear witness to this part of him, especially not during the spring. He was so close to losing it. His lengthening claws dug into the tough muscle of the beef slab on the cutting board.

Deep slow breaths could calm him down. Why was she still on all fours? She just had to be in that position of all positions; she could've taken a look for whatever it was she was searching for in any other position, but she chose this one. It was one of many submission positions, but this was the sexual submissive position that any inu-youkai bitch would assume when in the presence of her dominant male. And it was mating season.

Dominate my bitch…dominate my bitch…

“Do you even have any lids in here?” Kagome asked as she searched deeper within the caverns of his dark cabinets.

Her ass was waving back and forth, slowly, tempting him with a com-hither wave that was beckoning him to give a swift and painful experience to the owner of such a fine ass by his hands. And she had no clue what she was doing to him.

“Found one. And it fits,” Kagome proudly proclaimed as she moved to a sitting position with the lid in her hand. “How's the meat coming?” she innocently asked as she turned to face the hanyou. “What's wrong?”

The muscles in his handsome face were knotted up tightly, his dark brows furrowed deeply, and his eyes were clinched shut. Kagome was afraid she'd need the “Jaws of Life” to pry the lids back open.

Shit…busted…

He snapped his eyes open and made his entire body relax. “Keh,” he muttered quickly to draw attention away from what his real problem was. “Just…just tenderizing this crappy piece of meat you bought.” At least that could explain why his claws were buried in the chilly flesh.

Kagome stood up, bringing the pan and lid up with her, setting it down on the counter. “Yeah, I figured as much. Ever since I turned the butcher's son down for a date, he's been doing things like that to me. Order three beef fillets, all well tenderized, and he only gives me two.”

“What a fuckin' baby!”

“I know…sheesh…”

“When did he ask you out?”

“When I was in the seventh grade.”

“The seventh grade? And he's been rude to you ever since?”

“Yeah. But not to my mom though. She gets better than the best when she goes to him. Oh well…it looks like you're doing a good job softening it up. I could always soak it with some vinegar, too, if it's still too tough.”

Inuyasha yanked his claws out of the beef before dicing it up like he did with the previous fillets. “There,” he gruffly stated as his blood was still heated from her little display there on the floor.

Kagome set the pan onto the burner and turned it on to a medium-high heat. She pulled out a bottle of olive oil and doused the bottom of the pan with enough oil to cover it. Next, she sprinkled some pepper and salt into the oil. Grabbing a handful of the onion slices, she dumped them into the pan, mixing them around the pan so they soaked up some of the oil and spices.

“Bring the meat over,” she instructed the hanyou. Inuyasha brought over the sliced up beef, setting the dish down next to the stove. Kagome picked up the bowl and poured the pink beef slices into the pan with the heated oil and caramelizing onions.

“Here, watch this while I take care of the potatoes,” Kagome said as she handed Inuyasha the thick bamboo chopsticks.

“Kagome…”

“It's easy. Just mix it around and don't let it burn. I thought you knew how to cook.”

“If I'm cooking, then how does this count as you making me dinner?”

“Minor details.” Kagome drained the water from the potatoes and brought them over to the pan. “Okay, when I dump these in, mix everything up really good. We need the potatoes to be covered with all of the juices in the pan.”

Inuyasha did as his `teacher' instructed him to. Actually, it wasn't all that bad. Cooking with the old man was a horrible experience. Stupid old man would hit his hands if he did something wrong.

“Want me to do this?” Kagome asked as Inuyasha took on the duty of making sure the potatoes cooked.

“I got it.”

“All right. Let me add the carrots and then we can get this ready. Measuring cup? Or actually, just a cup of any kind?”

“In that cabinet.”

Kagome opened up the one he pointed to and found an array of drink ware, from plastic cups to glass ones in a variety of shapes and sizes. She took out a red plastic cup, closed the cupboard up, and then walked to the sink, filling the cup up.

“Turn it up to boil,” she instructed as she brought the cup of water over to the pan, dumping the liquid over the cooking food. After checking the water level, she refilled the cup and added more water to the pan until it covered the food.

Inuyasha mixed everything around nice and good as the water soon started to boil. He looked over at Kagome, awaiting his next set of instructions.

“First, move the food around so that the potatoes are on the bottom. Then turn it down to a simmer, placing the lid on top.”

Inuyasha found the dish relatively easy to make, something even he could do. He was glad Kagome had picked out something simple for him to eat. Sometimes, eating the fancy shit at her restaurant just didn't satisfy him.

“Want something to drink?” he offered, setting the chopsticks down on the counter next to the stove.

“Sure.”

Inuyasha opened the fridge. “Water, juice, beer…”

“A beer would be fine.”

He grabbed a couple of bottles and set them down on the counter. After opening one, he handed it to Kagome before opening up one for himself. Kagome jumped up and took a seat on the counter away from where she was cooking.

“How long have you lived here?”

Inuyasha sat on the counter across from Kagome, cradling the cool bottle of beer in his clawed hands. He shrugged his shoulders at her simple question as he thought of the answer.

“I don't know. About ten years…I guess…”

“Eh? Ten years?”

He looked away, knowing the next question she was going to ask, and he, being unable to lie to her, would have to answer her truthfully. It was always this answer that drove them away. It was just a part of him being a hanyou.

“Yeah,” he gulped loudly, swallowing down a nasty-tasting lump before continuing. “I bought it about five, six years after I opened the clinic.”

Kagome nodded. Inuyasha watched her as she started adding up the years in her head. “And how long were you in school for? I've heard that medical school is like seven, eight years of training.”

“Four years for my undergrad, two years for my masters, another three for the doctorate and then six for my MD.”

“That's…wow…a whole bunch of school.” Kagome took a sip of her beer. “So, that makes you how old in doggy years?”

“Feh. So what? I age slower.”

“Well, I know that. I may not know the ins and outs of inu-hanyou, but I do know something about youkai and hanyou in general and that's that they age slower than humans.”

“But I'm like fifty years old,” he explained, hoping she understood so that if she was bothered by it, she could leave now.

“Ayame is almost forty and Kouga's pushing seventy, though they both appear to be in their mid-20s. And the old man told me how old he is. Now, he is older than dirt.”

Inuyasha relaxed as he yet again passed over another hurdle with Kagome relatively smoothly. Kagome seemed to be okay with his age. He chuckled at her joke. “Yeah, he is.”

Kagome slid off the counter, setting her beer down where she sat, and headed over to the pan to check on the food, mainly the potatoes since those would take the longest to cook. They were still firm, so she replaced the lid before assuming her position on the counter once again.

“You were worried I would find you too old,” Kagome calmly stated, though her eyes were averted elsewhere in the kitchen before dropping them on her lap. For some reason, she didn't want to see the look on his face.

“Maybe I worried you were too young for me.”

“Too young? Really? From what Eri tells me, men like `em young. Something about fertility and ideal mates or something. Somehow, she can always throw some theory of evolution into her conversations.”

“She's not that far off.”

“Ayame said the same thing when trying to explain Kouga and her four kids and why she'll end up with a dozen cubs in twenty years and that we shouldn't be surprised by it.”

“Sounds like I'll have to get this Kouga guy drunk so I can neuter him. Don't need him stinkin' up Japan with smelly wolf cubs.”

“Uh, don't let Ayame find out. She'll neuter you and your brother in retaliation.”

“She can have Sesshoumaru's balls. Wear `em around her neck for all I care.”

Kagome chuckled. “I can't see Ayame going after your brother. He's so…intense; it's scary.”

“He's just a pansy.”

“You say that when he's not around,” she commented, slipping off the counter once again to check on their dinner. She checked the potatoes and found that they were softened, but not mushy, meaning dinner was done. “Your bowls?”

“That cupboard there.”

Kagome opened the cupboard and pulled down two large black ceramic bowls. She dished out her usual serving sizes: Kagome-sized and hanyou-sized portions. Inuyasha headed over towards her, grabbing her beer for her and getting two sets of chopsticks for them to use.

He followed her out to the dining room table where Kagome paused in setting down the bowls. Should they sit next to each other? Across from each other? She wasn't sure about the etiquette on table seating. At the restaurant, they seemed to be much more casual with one another, as if inside KenSen they were just strictly friends.

Inuyasha set a pair of chopsticks down on the side of the table nearest the window and the other pair adjacent to the side nearest the kitchen. His table was small enough so that if he sat across from her, she'd still be close. But he liked the intimacy they shared when they sat close to each other, but on different sides.

Once Inuyasha had decided their seating arrangements, she sat the bowls down, taking her seat just as Inuyasha took his. He handed Kagome her beer once she was seated comfortably.

“Itadakimasu,” Kagome softly chanted as she reached for her chopsticks.

“Itadakimasu,” Inuyasha mumbled with a mouthful of meat and potatoes.

Kagome giggled, using that to keep herself from asking how the food was. It was a habit of hers that she knew she needed to break. For one, if Inuyasha didn't like it, he'd let her know immediately. Also, it was hard for anyone to determine if the food was good or not in just one bite, as several were needed to get accustomed to the flavors. As long as he ate it, that would have to be good enough for her.

“Didn't you eat anything at all today?”

He just shook his head as he continued to shovel food into his mouth, eating as much as he could as fast as he was capable of. Actually, he wasn't sure if he had breakfast or not that morning. As if it mattered. He was hungry now and Kagome's food was the best he had tasted.

“There's more in the pan,” she reminded him as he emptied his bowl, getting closer to a second helping. “Oh, I also brought something for dessert.”

His ears perked up. “Dessert?” he asked, darting his eyes over to the kitchen, wondering how he missed it.

“Yeah, nothing too fancy though. When I was at the market getting the ingredients for dinner, I lucked out on some strawberries and I just couldn't resist.”

“Sounds good.”

“Yeah? I thought about making a sorbet or something with them. And then I thought that strawberry shortcakes would be nice and then once the ideas started raining down on me, I didn't know what to do.”

Dinner continued quietly after that, giving Kagome a chance to eat instead of doing all of the talking. Inuyasha got up and entered the kitchen, bringing the pan back over to the table. Pushing his bowl away from him, he slid the pan over and ate out of that. This seemed normal to Kagome. She was sure that if Hojo had done something like this, she'd be stunned.

“Did you get enough?” she happily asked, chuckling out her question as she watched him pick at the potato and beef remnants lurking at the bottom of the pan.

“For now,” he answered as he set his chopsticks down horizontally between him and the bowl. Reaching for his beer, he tipped his head back, finishing of the last of the bitter brew. “Want another?”

“Er, I'm still on my first.”

He nodded as he realized that he had just made an ass out of himself. Of course she wasn't ready for another. She wasn't some raging alcoholic, thank Kami for that. Most likely she'd have one, maybe two if the night lasted that long, and that would be her limit. As for him, he felt like he needed to drink in order to calm his frazzled nerves.

Mating seasons needs to end soon.

He still needed another beer. Grabbing his empty bowl, he placed it inside the empty pan, followed by Kagome's. He also put his empty beer bottle in the mix, picking it all up as he looked at Kagome to say, “I'm going to put this mess away.”

Kagome jumped to her feet. “I can do the dishes. I mean, I was the one that cooked and made the mess…it's the least I can do.”

“It's fine. I'm just going to toss it into the sink for now.”

“Are you sure?” she called out from her place in the dining room.

“Keh,” he mumbled as he headed into the kitchen to not only toss the dirty dishes into the sink, but to find some more alcohol. He was just so damn nervous. Having someone…anyone over at his apartment really stressed him out. This was his private sanctuary that he had now just shared with Kagome. He didn't mind it too much, but still…

He gulped down an entire bottle, hoping to feel a numbness clouding his brain any moment now. Something was really taking a toll on his mind. He took his third beer back to the dining area. As a hanyou, his body would quickly burn through the alcohol. It was just his temporary solution until Kagome left, and then he could go and do something, like workout, so he could sweat out all of his frustrations. Curse his damned sexual frustration!

“Kagome,” he softly called out her name as she was not to be found at the dining room table. The tall chair had been pushed back and her beer was missing. His silver tresses were softly lifted up by a chilling breeze, prompting him to search for its source.

He immediately found her outside on the balcony, leaning over the metal railing as the hard winds rushed around her, whipping her raven locks all around her face. The sky had grown dark, almost black from the rain-filled clouds that came stampeding into the city. Without even thinking, he set his beer down and slowly walked his way towards her.

Kagome turned to find Inuyasha making his way towards her. She was laughing as she brushed her hair away from her face. So carefree she seemed, she had no idea, no idea how beautiful, how precious she looked to him. “Did you see it?” she called out excitedly.

“See what?” he calmly replied, his voice low, much lower than it needed to be.

“The lightning. It was…huge…like a giant neon tree that just branched out from the darkness, lighting up the sky before - poof! - gone.” Her hands waved around in the air before falling back to her sides. For as long as she could remember, she absolutely loved storms. Something about the wind, the thunder, the lightning, and the rain, it all combined into something so powerful, yet natural.

There was something immediately different about her. That smile of hers felt so much warmer and her eyes were wide, but soft and everything about her sparkled. He was drawn to her and there was no way he could back off, and no way could she get away.

Kagome's head snapped away to the flash of another strike of light and she gasped at the roar of thunder that followed. She loved these storms. The danger…the unpredictability of it. Anytime there was a storm, she felt compelled to watch it until it finally passed and there was nothing left of it but a washed city.

Inuyasha reached out, the thunder hammering just above them as he took a hold of Kagome's wrist, spinning her around until her gaze finally recognized his. Kagome found another storm to gaze upon, one even more powerful and dangerous than the one happening above her. His golden eyes had bronzed over with so many emotions.

They both stood still, staring down each other, both breathing heavily as the wind swirled around them, whipping up streams of silver and black. As he was still holding onto her arm, he pulled her close, her body against his, soft against hard, gentle warmth against scalding heat. She gasped at the sudden contact and then found herself unable to look him in his eyes any longer. With his free hand, he lifted her chin up before brushing away the hair that blew in her face, just enough to clear a path to her wet lips.

She melted against him as they shared a kiss more intense than any previous one. Her arms wrapped around him, holding herself against him as the fury of the storm raged on around them, and now within each of them.

Inuyasha didn't know what to do with his hands. He wanted them to be everywhere on her body at once. One hand found its way into her hair, grabbing a handful of it as he kept her head in place as he ravaged her sweet-tasting mouth. There was no time to waste to be gentle, his body…these feelings…this deep, unrelenting need…

Kagome felt the frustration as well. Her hands scrambled all over his hard muscles, his chest, gripping tightly onto his shirt before letting go to wrap her arms around him to hold onto him. Inuyasha pulled her head back as he pulled his lips away from hers to explore her soft, silky throat that was exposed to him, which he quickly devoured with hungry kisses.

It had to be good luck that she wore a pink cashmere sweater with one of those collars that was off the shoulder, allowing him to reveal much more of her porcelain skin. He didn't have to take anything off yet to gain access to what he needed to claim at this very instant.

With her neck tilted back, her mouth was left open as she panted in the cool air despite the fact that all she was really doing was letting him ravish her in the midst of the storm. One thing she could do…his ears. Reaching up through his silken mass of silver hair, she massaged the fuzzy triangles in time with a hand of his that found a breast.

Her moan was music to his ears, sounds of her pleasure, pleasure he was giving her. She arched her back, pressing her body against his. Strong hips jerked forward letting Kagome actually feel what she was doing to him. In response, she grounded her hips back against his, earning a growl of approval.

Kagome took hold of the hem of Inuyasha's shirt and yanked it up, breaking away from him long enough to rid him of his shirt, tossing it onto a chair. The way his muscles rippled underneath his smooth skin, she reached out compelled to touch it. She slowly slid her hands down the length of his chest, causing shivers to follow in their wake. His nipples hardened and she marveled at the way everything about him just came together, hard and soft, warm and cool.

Licking her lips, Kagome bent forward, dragging her tongue over one of the nipples, finally getting a sample of his flavor: salty, sweet male. Smacking her lips, liking his taste, she looked up at Inuyasha, searching his lust-hungry eyes for a response.

Grabbing onto her head, he leaned down and kissed her again, hard. His nose picked up on the way her scent was quickly changing from normal everyday Kagome to very aroused Kagome. He could also taste it in her mouth and on her skin.

It was her turn for her shirt to come off. He had to feel her skin against his. The sweater was tossed in some unknown direction that neither cared about. It was off. So much more skin to touch, to kiss…to attack. He had to taste all of her and even then he knew he could never be satisfied.

The bra straps were both pulled off her shoulders at the same time. When she didn't protest, he continued. Again, he kissed her, their tongues playing a pleasurable game of tug o' war. Kagome, knowing from previous kissing sessions that Inuyasha was and would always be the winner, quickly submitted to his dominance of the kiss.

One hand was all he needed to finally remove a piece of clothing he had yet to ever remove from her; in moments, it was gone. Kagome didn't realize right away what he had done. It was only when she felt the cool breeze brush across her bare breasts that she discovered her bra was missing.

Never having exposed her breasts to anyone, not another female or her doctor, she felt warmed from the embarrassment. She turned her head away, closing her eyes tight as she sensed his eyes roaming over her.

Inuyasha quickly sensed her fear and shame and knew he had to act quickly before he lost her.

His mouth swiftly latched onto a protruding nipple, his tongue flicking at and sucking on the hardened piece of flesh. Kagome reached out for his shoulders, her head tipping back, her mouth parting from the sensation her brain had yet to comprehend.

There was little for her to do other than actually enjoy the attention. It was so different than what she thought it would feel like. It was better. She was sure she was going to bend in half with her back arched over his arm that he was using to hold her up with.

It was the roar of thunder directly above them that brought Kagome back to her common sense. Kagome stood up straight, pressing her hands into his chest, pushing him away from her.

“Inuyasha…” she panted out, her throat dry.

Inuyasha rested his forehead against hers. He grabbed her arms, tightly, his body shaking. This wasn't a shiver caused by the cool air.

“Please...” he spoke the broken word in ragged gasps before begging more, “don't tell me to stop…” He was struggling badly to obey the command he had given her.

She smiled, something he missed with his eyes clenched shut. She took a deep breath, her body shivering as well. “I was going to suggest that we should take this into your bedroom.” Her statement was given some supporting evidence with heavy drops of rain falling down on them.

He quickly pulled away from her so he could look her right in the eyes, those eyes that were always swirling with emotion. “Are you sure?” he had to ask, seeking her voluntary confirmation that she was ready and willing to do this with him. He had promised.

Kagome nodding, he heard her reply with a breathy “Yes.”

A kiss. A deep, rough kiss that she eagerly accepted. Lifting her up, he had her wrap her legs around his waist as he waddled his way back into the apartment. He didn't have to look to know where he was going; he knew the layout of his apartment well enough.

The flash of lightning lit his way as they entered his bedroom. Placing his right knee on the edge of the bed, he carefully lowered her down onto the soft edge, his hands supporting her full weight.

This was it.

She was ready to do it.

Sex with Inuyasha was what she wanted, taking things to that next level and to feel a deeper connection to him. After a lifetime of boring orgasm-free sex, she was praying that the hanyou could deliver.

So far, so good.

Inuyasha crawled over her, his hair creating a silver curtain that, for the moment, was blocking out the flashes of light from the storm. He stared down at her and was speechless at how he wound up with a woman like her underneath him in his bed.

Kagome started to grow a little self-conscious at the fact that she was lying there topless in Inuyasha's bed and all he could do was stare at her.

Oh, I hope he isn't having second thoughts about this. Then I'll start having second thoughts, and then third thoughts, and then I won't remember what decision I actually made…

She was starting to lose her nerve. He could see her. With Hojo, it was just the darkness, nothing to explore with a sweeping gaze. Sucking in a quick breath of air, she held it in when Inuyasha put his hand on her chest, just above her left breast along her collar bone. Bit by bit, he dragged it down along her creamy skin, ticking the little hairs as he made his way down.

Kagome was real.

No more hazy dreams and cloudy fantasies. Not this time. He could feel her with his touch, hear the pitter-pattering of her hurried heartbeat, and her smell - this meadow of hers - a musky fog was rolling in, it was so thick he could almost eat it.

Her meadow, the essence of her scent, the one that kept him calm and drove him absolutely delirious all at the same time, was calling to him once again. With his eyes closed, he could picture this mystical meadow, the trees, the abundant flora, and Kagome. Beautiful Kagome. She was sitting in the tall grasses and flowers with fireflies hovering around her.

And in her meadow she sat still just as a gentle breeze glided in his direction, causing Kagome to turn, her hair blowing around her glowing naked skin. Her eyes locked with his, causing him to choke. He was trapped.

Opening his eyes, he caught Kagome looking away, her skin flushed from embarrassment. Whoops. How long had he been frozen like that as he zoned out? He didn't want her to think that he saw her as something freaky.

Letting out a deep sigh, he took a hold of her jean-covered hip, and then slid his hand down, hooking his hand underneath her knee, pulling the muscular leg up, wrapping it around his waist as he pushed his hips into hers. Things were just beginning.

Kagome let out a surprised gasp, and some air she realized she had been holding onto. His initial gaze seemed to be so scrutinizing, as if he were examining her like some specimen. Had she passed? Did he like what he was looking at? She prayed that this wasn't just an in-season hormonal thing for him.

“Kagome…” he breathed out softly.

Her attention snapped to him at the sound of her name. She barely had a moment to process it before his lips were on hers, reassuring her that he definitely wasn't having second thoughts, and that he believed her to be the most beautiful creature in his world.

Kagome pulled him down onto her, her chest crashing against his perfectly sculpted one. His skin was hot. Her hands slid along his sleek skin, until she reached her destination and entangled her hands in the mass of his silver hair.

She moaned against his mouth, the hum of her voice vibrating through his lips. He replied with a rumble of his own, causing Kagome to shiver in anticipation. His rumble…this purr was so animalist, raw, and—dare she think—passionate, that she was starting to lose any coherent thought except for one command…she needed him.

The snail's pace he was moving at was agonizing, torturing her with promises that she just couldn't wait for. There had to be some way to speed things up. She didn't want it to end, but she wanted it to really begin.

Pulling her fingers out from his thick hair, she rubbed her hands down his lean, toned back until she reached the waistband of his jeans. Her fingers trembled as she thought about what she was going to do.

Is he a boxer of a briefs kind of guy…?

She slipped her fingers underneath the heavy cotton fabric and followed the hem around his waist towards her goal. A strange heat warmed her insides as her fingers brushed across his stomach and the tiny hairs that trailed down to what was underneath his jeans.

Inuyasha nibbled on her bottom lip as his way to control his urge to shred her clothes off her body as he felt her fingers tickle the hairs around his belly button, a weak spot he hoped she hadn't caught onto yet, or his other ones.

Once she felt the warm metal of the button, she knew she couldn't, wouldn't turn back now. Her fingers fumbled to draw the button through the slot, but then…success! Next, she found the zipper. Sticking her hips down into the mattress, she made the room she needed to draw the zipper down.

“Wha…?” Kagome sputtered out when Inuyasha lifted his weight off of her, and his warmth, so he had the room he needed to grab her hand, ceasing her plan to get into this pants.

He had to stop her; his inner youkai demanded it, causing him to move his hand to stop her before he knew exactly what it was he was doing. Gently, he pulled her arm away, pinning her wrist down onto the bed above her head.

She was confused. Wasn't this what he wanted? It was obvious he was interested—she could feel his erection digging into her inner thigh. Eri had mentioned several times that there were guys that were turned on by eager women, smirking when females tore off their clothes in the rush to get it on.

He took a hold of her other wrist and used his right hand to hold both arms up and out his way. Her eyes widened when she realized that he was planning to make this last as long as he could. Eri gave humans no more than an hour, but demons could last several hours. It was going to be a very long night. Oh, she couldn't wait.

But she could no longer dwell on how the night would actually turn out as her mind no longer had the ability to focus on any single coherent thought. Warm lips brushed along her sides, his hot breath tickling her in a manner that felt good in an unfamiliar way.

Once again, it was his goal to somehow touch every part of her skin, but for different reasons. His lips trailed up, finding their own way to one of her breasts, holding on with no desire to let go. Kagome threw her head back against the down blanket, surrendering much too soon to him. She knew by her earlier mistake that she was never in control of the situation; she had given up her control long before she told him that she was ready.

Her half-naked, glistening body rubbed against his, igniting a delicious, yet agonizing, friction that forced her hips to grind against his as a remedy to somehow alleviate the knotting of her stomach. She maneuvered her lower body so that her core rubbed and down his upper thigh, desperate to somehow find relief.

Nipping at her side, she ceased her rubbing, whimpering at the loss of her temporary solution. His chuckle was deep in his throat, amused by how excited and eager she was. And she seemed so innocent. Not that the appearance of innocence actually mattered. With his free hand, he did what she had done earlier, but much faster, his hand digging deep inside her clothing finding only wet, soft flesh that scorched his skin.

Kagome's eyes went wide and then fluttered closed when she felt him touching her there. No man…of course no man had ever touched her there, she was saving it for someone else, someone not quite a man, someone like Inuyasha. Her hips bucked in automatic response until her mind started to turn against her.

Sharp claws…

No, she yelled at herself. Inuyasha would never. What danger could there be when she felt so good? The negative thoughts were quickly swallowed up by the fog of her ecstasy.

Two intense topaz jewels watched the girl beneath him whither and moan. For a being who claimed to have no patience, he was doing quite well from keeping himself from taking her right there. He needed her to be ready; he wanted her to be ready. He wanted to give her what she deserved.

Kagome could feel it. She had felt this before, by the workings of her own nimble fingers. The way everything in her body started to bubble up, the knots tightening, her blood just almost starting to boil, but not popping, yet. She was so close, he just had to…

Inuyasha slipped his fingers out from inside her clothing, staring in awe at the thick liquid that coated them. He stuck his tongue out, closing his eyes as he quickly cleaned them off. Oh, so sweet. So Kagome, but only a mere sample.

Kagome hadn't realized that she was totally naked until Inuyasha released her wrists so he could pull her pants off from around her ankles. Her body was pulled forward, her legs dangling off the side of the bed where a sexual predator was waiting for her.

Closing his eyes, he followed his keen scent straight down the middle path to taste what had smelled so good. His long tongue licked up the entire length of her core, the tip of his tongue curling up to grab more of her liquid essence. His insides burned with a greater sense of passion.

Taking a firm grip of both her legs, he pushed them up, gently spreading them so he had unrestricted access to her. Good thing she was so flexible. He licked at her like a thirsty dog, the thirsty dog that he was. Other than his eyesight, all of his senses were feeding off of her.

Kagome was reaching a delirium she never knew existed. Her hands fisted into the cotton comforter as she tossed her head about. What was he doing to make her feel like this?

The intimacy, as well as the danger of the act, did not go unnoticed. Inuyasha was dangerous with his claws, strength, and fangs, but despite all of that, she trusted him to only pleasure her, to never harm her.

Licking just…well, it just wasn't enough. It did work well enough to drink in as much of her juices. He was losing the battle with the patience he thought he had. Not that he cared about patience.

“Ah…” Kagome wailed out at the newest sensation. Whatever it was he was doing - wow - she didn't want him to stop. Once again, she felt the early rumblings of an orgasm. The same knotted feelings, but somehow different. More knots? Tighter knots?

Inuyasha quickly pulled away, hunched over as he took several deep breaths.

Stupid fucking…

Sometimes he just couldn't understand his youkai side. Why? Why wouldn't he…it…allow her the opportunity to orgasm? It had to be something he was still discovering about his heritage. Still…he had made other woman orgasm without playing this game.

Standing up, he stared down at the panting girl sprawled out on his bed. He quickly shed the rest of his clothing. The wait was almost over, for both of them. He stood at the edge of the bed, watching Kagome as she drew in much-needed air. He was mesmerized by the sight of her.

Kagome cracked open her eyes. And she was so close to. Right there. Why did he…? She paused for her thoughts to catch up when she caught the sight of him, all of him, naked. He was beautiful, perfectly beautiful. Sitting up, she tried to reach out to touch him, to feel his warmth.

Inuyasha intercepted her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers as he slowly descended down on top of her, blanketing her tiny frame. He settled himself down in between her legs, already lubricating himself with her liquid heat.

“Take a deep breath,” he whispered to her. It was the best he could come up with at the moment as a warning for what he was about to do. He knew it had been a while for her and then with the cracks he heard from the urologist about Hojo, she was in for something new.

Kagome nodded, closing her eyes as she willed all of her muscles to loosen and relax for the incoming intrusion. A part of her though still held onto that anxiety. She never got a good glance at Hojo, but still, Inuyasha seemed to be so much larger, his stiff member had been standing up so tall and proud and…painful? It looked painful. The thought of pain clenched all of her muscles back up.

Inuyasha felt her nails digging into her shoulders. He sighed. “You need to relax Kagome,” he told her as he reached down between them to take a hold of himself to guide him in.

She nodded again. Yeah, she knew she needed to relax, but her nerves just wouldn't let her. And then she remembered her first time with Hojo and how painful that was, she figured they would never get to it.

“Kagome, look at me.”

She opened her eyes and found his face so close. He bent down and kissed her, gently. It was one of those kisses that messed with her brain so she couldn't think. Her body relaxed as the kiss melted her muscles. Inuyasha slowly entered her, almost forgetting to keep kissing her at how tight she was. His eyes rolled back behind his lids and he moaned into her mouth at the incredible feeling.

Kagome couldn't describe it, this feeling of fulfillment. Never had she believed that a part of her was this physically empty, but now, the joining of Inuyasha into her body had her overfilling.

However, the stretching of her insides stung, causing her to suck in her bottom lip to nibble down on it. Her body stiffened at the slightly painful entry as her body worked at adjusting to Inuyasha's presence.

“You okay?” he quietly questioned her as he pulled up to get a glance at her scrunched up face.

“Yeah,” she meekly replied before adding, “It's just…new…”

“New?”

“It's been a while and well…you're a lot bigger than Hojo, I think,” she added the last part as a mumbled afterthought.

He beamed at the most favorable comparison. “You think?”

“I never got a real good look,” she admitted, also admitting that Inuyasha was the first one she had really looked at.

The conversation took her mind away from the pain long enough for that annoying pain to disappear. Inuyasha slowly pulled out, leaving just the tip inside, gauging Kagome's reactions before slowly re-entering her.

“Fuck…” he hissed in ultimate pleasure. It was so damn good. She felt so warm…so good. Maybe a little too good.

Kagome's mouth remained slightly parted as she felt herself blossoming sexually for the first time. With every slow stroke, Inuyasha pushed in deeper and deeper, losing himself not just to Kagome, but to his demon side as well. Vibrant purple strips zigzagged down his cheeks and his eyes shone a brilliant, powerful red.

Kagome didn't notice his change. She could only sense what he was doing to her and how slow it felt once again. It wasn't working anymore as she'd reached a point where she needed more.

“Puh…lease…” she said with breathless desire, unable to string multiple syllables into any one coherent word.

Nevertheless, even in his demon form, he understood. He sped up and added a little more force, careful to remember that this woman was a fragile, beautiful human.

Kagome couldn't exactly describe this new feeling. Drowning…a welcomed feeling…Her hands clawed along Inuyasha's back as she struggled to search for wherever it was that he was taking her. He really liked that. It didn't hurt him at all. And she really was scratching him up. It didn't matter as it would be healed by morning. He encouraged her to be rough with him.

His forceful grunts and her mewls drowned out the sounds of the storm that continued on outside. Their hairs stuck to their bodies as they both worked up a sweat, his drops of perspiration falling onto Kagome. She had both legs wrapped tightly around his waist as his actions accelerated.

Still…it could be better…for both of them. One thing about working with a pervert and a sexual psychologist was the expert knowledge. Miroku made sure to pass along the latest information he read in “Cosmo” about the newest positions that claimed to maximize pleasure. The only problem, Inuyasha already knew about them.

And with that, Inuyasha jerked Kagome down the bed, slamming her onto him as he took a standing position off the edge of the bed. Grabbing her legs, he held them straight up before hooking them over his shoulders. He grabbed what he could of the comforter and stuffed it underneath her, lifting her hips up off the bed several inches before resuming.

Kagome's back arched up violently as her insides were assaulted with more intense pleasure. Somehow, he found a way deeper into her, hitting a spot she had only dreamed about.

Both their faces contorted in ecstasy as they both neared their peaks. Kagome reached hers first, her body taken over by helpless spasms and a bright light bursting, fireworks maybe, behind her eyelids as she screamed out in sexual abandonment.

Kagome's orgasm ignited Inuyasha's eruption; he howled out as his brows furrowed momentarily before all of his muscles let go. He collapsed on top of her, the two of them becoming a shuddering heap as their hearts raced together.

Snaking an arm underneath her, he slid the both of them back up the bed, gently resting her head down on a pillow. He pulled the down comforter over them, but only up to their waists, as the room was still steamy from their activity.

“You okay?” he asked after several minutes of silence, his retracting claws brushing away some of the damp hair from her rosy face. He admired the pink flush that painted her chest and throat.

“Mmm…” she happily hummed out, unable to find her voice after that scream.

Wow, that was…incredible…

Reluctantly, he slipped out of her, moving behind her, turning her onto her side, pulling her up against his body, and spooning her as they continued to catch their breaths.

“You okay?” Kagome asked back as she finally found the ability to speak.

“I'm fine. Need anything? Thirsty?”

“No. This is good. Just like this.”

“Let me know.” He dragged his claws along her skin, admiring its healthy color, its silkiness, and a few of the marks he made. He loved the feel of her, always touching her.

Lying there quietly, he watched her breathing even out as she quickly fell fast asleep. He buried his nose in her hair, taking in a deep inhale of this newest scent of hers, a mix of sweat, sex, him, and Kagome. He was already addicted. He planted soft kisses along her spine; his lips brushing her skin on the way back up. Hugging her tightly, he then loosened his hold as he decided to join her in slumber land. A few more deep inhales of her intoxicating scent and he was out.

xxxxx-----xxx-----xxxxx

She did not want to wake up. She was having that dream, the one she had been having starring herself in some very provocative positions with her sexy, doggy-eared boyfriend. Anytime she had that dream, she always woke up with a deep yearning to fill that void.

As she was made more aware of her surroundings, things started to fall into place. Silver hair tickled her nose as the source of this morning's warmth breathed softly underneath her. She sat up yawning before glancing down on her dream. He looked so peaceful.

Waking up had its downsides-the night, that most wonderful night, was over, left to remain only as a memory. Not to mention, other bad things that happen, like the call of nature. The pressure her bladder was exerting was the pain that woke her up. Carefully, so as not to wake Inuyasha, she slid out of the bed, noticing how naked she really was. She quickly padded across the floor, finding her way into the master bath.

More than just her bladder was causing her pain. Was sex always this painful? It wasn't a bad pain, more like a `working out after taking a few days off' kind of pain. Her legs and her privates ached. Flushing the toilet, she eyed the giant bathtub and was immediately drawn to it. The hot water held some promise of relief.

After washing herself off with the masculine-smelling soap she found, she dipped herself into the oversized tub. His bathtub was amazing. Of course, he could easily afford to have such a large tub filled with hot water like this constantly. At the Shrine, they had a regular-sized tub that couldn't be as hot as she would like it to be due to the costs.

Leaning her head back against the wide-tiled edge, she let out a refreshed sigh and she recalled the events of last night. She half-expected it to happen sometime, just not so soon. Not that it was too soon, just more of a spur of the moment thing.

Her face beamed as some of the more vivid memories strolled on by. Impossible orgasm…achieved! And the feel of oral…incredible. The feeling of being wholly connected with another being…wonderful. Overall, the night was simply magical.

“Oi.”

“Ah!” Kagome screamed, lowering herself deeper into the water. “I-Inuyasha. What are you doing?”

“Hoping to take a bath…” he said with a smirk.

“You do stink,” she replied with a crinkle of her nose.

“…with you.”

Kagome paused. He..in the same bath…with her, at the same time? She nodded, glancing away, hiding her blush as he stepped into the hot water. She didn't dare look at him until he was covered by the water. Why was she being so bashful? She saw plenty of him last night…

“How ya feelin'?”

“Fine,” she answered, taking a sneak peek at him. He arched a dark brow at her. “Oh, all right. I'm a little tender in some areas. All your fault by the way. I told you it's been a while.”

“You're not too sore, are you?” Worry was etched into each word he spoke. Parts of last night were hazy for him. As he feared, he lost a little control and part of his demon side slipped through. But he doubted he could've stopped it from happening anyway.

She shook her head. “Nothing this bath won't cure. And some loose-fitting pants.” They both chuckled at her last comment.

“Come here,” he instructed her, motioning her over with his head. Kagome waded her way over to him. She turned and sat in front of him; Inuyasha pulled her against his chest. Kagome rested her head against his shoulder as they sat in the water enjoying their first morning after.

She didn't leave.

He was so relieved that he didn't frighten her away last night. After they hunkered down for cuddling and sleep, he completely conked out. It was strange for him to be able to sleep so deeply. But the more time he spent with Kagome, the more rested up he was every night.

“Are you hungry?” Kagome asked as she felt the first stirrings of her stomach.

“Starvin,'” he whispered in her ear, nipping playfully at the lobe. He smirked at her cute gasp. It was so easy.

“Um…how-how about I…um…breakfast? I can cook breakfast.”

“In a minute,” he mumbled as he gave the skin around the back of her ear its good morning kiss.

Kagome shivered in the hot water, hugging her knees loosely against her chest as his head drooped to the side, giving him access to her throat column. The smell of her washed up in his soap was really turning him on, as well as her newest scent. He closed his eyes as he once again deeply inhaled her odor. There wasn't enough.

He was back in that meadow, Kagome's meadow. She was still naked, lying amongst the flowers and other scents that made up her unique smell. There was an addition, a new member to join in the combination of scents.

Him.

Her meadow was surrounded by tall pine trees that were cleaned by a fresh spring shower. He had always been told he had a woodsy, earthy smell. Was this how it manifested itself?

The rumbling of his stomach yanked him from his vision and brought Kagome out of hers. She giggled at the hanyou, who despite his best attempts at trying to seduce her in the bathtub, it was all foiled due to hunger.

“Stay in here and wash up. I'll go make us something. Oh, breakfast in bed, is that okay?”

“Is breakfast okay?”

“No, eating in your bed?”

“Yeah.”

“Great.”

He watched her retreating form, the water streaking down her backside as she pulled a towel around her. Kagome closed the door behind her, leaving Inuyasha to warm water and his thoughts.

When Inuyasha finally emerged from the tub about twenty minutes later, his nose was met with the promise of lots of good food to eat. He would need it. Sex was such an energy-draining activity for him. Stupid old-school instincts. Back in the day, fucking a female was a highly dangerous activity as both were vulnerable to an attack. But that was so long ago. Parts of their demon side just hadn't evolved yet.

Slipping into some dark blue flannel pajama pants, he made his way into the kitchen to check on Kagome and breakfast. He was startled to find her happily humming as she fried up a lot of bacon while only wearing one of his shirts. He recognized it as the one he wore to work on Friday, having tossing it onto the floor in his bedroom the moment he came home to change into clothes for working out in.

Her long toned legs danced to whatever music she was playing in her head. And he had just calmed himself down from being with her in the tub.

“Hey, it's almost ready,” she said with a soft smile. “Uh, I borrowed a shirt. Mine's kinda missing.”

Right, he got rid of her shirt outside and the rest of her clothes were hiding somewhere in his room. He made a mental note to himself to hide her clothes anytime she was over. She looked so hot in his clothes. Not to mention the smells.

Clearing his throat, he finally found the words to ask, “Need any help?”

“I'm not sure. I found the juice you had in the fridge, but I wasn't sure if you preferred any coffee or tea.”

“Juice is fine.”

“Then if you want to grab that and two cups, I'll bring the food in.”

Sitting on his bed, he didn't have to wait long as Kagome brought in two plates, one heavily stacked with much more food. Eggs, bacon, rice, and toast was the simple feast to break the fast from last night.

He couldn't help but notice the way she walked, as if she were in slight pain. She handed him a plate, which he took before she carefully crawled onto the bed. They both sat their plates down and began to eat, silently.

“You sure you're okay?” he asked again.

“Yeah, just…” she blushed. “I've never had sex like that.”

“Was it bad?” he questioned, his ears dropping into his hair.

“Oh Kami no. It was…” another blush. “Much better than I could fantasize about. Hojo was…well he was satisfied in our relationship with quickie, in-the-dark-only sex. This was a whole new experience for me.”

“Keh.” Oh yeah, he was proud.

“Anyhoo…I know I'm not experienced like Eri-“

“You were fine. If I wanted someone like Eri, I'm sure I could've had Eri.”

“Mmmm. I think she did tell Sango that you were cute.”

“Not interested.”

“Really?”

“Yup.”

“Then why me?”

“Because.”

“Oh, not this game again.”

“You smell good.”

“Ayame said that scent was important, so I'll take your word for it.”

“You can cook. You're pretty; you're kind and stubborn.”

“And you find these things important?”

“Yes.” Inuyasha was struck by this moment. He was being open and honest with a woman sitting on his bed, a woman he was attracted to on multiple levels, having a serious conversation.

“Kagome?” he began as his mind gave him no more time to think it over.

“Yes?”

“I'm going to ask you something, but you don't have to answer me immediately.”

“Okay…” she said, drawing out the syllable with uncertainty.

“Move in with me.”

That's a question? “What?”

“I want you to live with me. I'm practically living at the Shrine with you, but this way…”

“Okay.”

“You can think about it.”

“What's there to think about?”

“Your mother?”

“She'll tell me that I'm an adult and that I can make my own decisions. She's been saying that to me since I was fifteen.”

“You can even move all of your kitchen shit in too.”

“We don't separate well anyway,” she teased.

“It's settled. After breakfast we'll-“

“After breakfast?” she asked, stunned by his eagerness.

“Keh, why not?”

“It's…well. I mean…are you sure?”

“Are you?”

“I mean, I have a lot of kitchen stuff and clothes and all of my girlie things…”

“I'll make it all fit.”

xxxxx-----xxx-----xxxxx

“Mama,” Kagome called out once she stepped into the main room of the Shrine, towing Inuyasha behind her. “Mama, we're here.”

“Kagome. Inuyasha. How nice to see the two of you today.”

“I'll be upstairs,” Inuyasha stated before nodding to Mama Higurashi as he bounded up the stairs.

Mama Higurashi smiled back. “Let's have some tea.” Kagome followed her mother into the kitchen, taking her usual seat at the familiar wooden table. Mama Higurashi sat down three ceramic cups, filling two of them up. She had to smile at the sight before her, Kagome, glowing, smiling, and wearing Inuyasha's shirt. She remembered those days.

“How was dinner?”

“Wha…Oh, it turned out fine. Not as good as yours though. Though it never is.”

“I'm sure Inuyasha would prefer yours over mine.”

Kagome blushed. “Mama, um, you know that I love this place…I grew up here. My memories are based here…Souta, Grandpa…

“Kagome, honey, what are you trying to say?”

Kagome gulped. Wow, this was much harder than she thought. Not that she expected it to be easy. “I-I'm moving in with Inuyasha,” she quickly blurted out the words, unable to look her mother in the eye. “He…um…he asked me this morning and I said yes.”

“That's so wonderful.”

“Are you sure?”

“Kagome, I can survive without having my independent adult daughter worry about me too much.”

“I do worry about you Mama. It's hard being lonely.”

“Kagome, you're being ridiculous. I'm not lonely. There are times when I'm alone, but never lonely. I have friends. And you have Inuyasha. So I don't have to worry about you.”

Mama Higurashi wasn't surprised by any of this. She knew her daughter well. And Inuyasha, being the gentleman that he was, had asked Mama Higurashi's permission to allow Kagome to move in with him, as if she had to give it. He was so nervous when he came over last week. She did everything she could to make him feel calm, tea, some snacks, space, and a smile. Finally, he started to talk and he explained everything.

Mama Higurashi could see it all in his eyes, as she had seen it in her own husband's so many years ago. Not that she would ever say no, as it was Kagome's decision, but even if she did have that authority, she still would have said yes. His eyes told her everything.

“I suppose Inuyasha wants you moved in by tonight, seeing how he is already upstairs.”

“Uh…I guess. He did seem a little excited by the whole thing. Ugh, I did have to keep my eyes closed the entire ride over so I wouldn't look at the speedometer. It felt like he was going too fast.”

“Well, when you get all moved in, you can invite me over for dinner.”

“Oh, Mama, he does have the nicest apartment. It's so spacious with a great view. Eh…a little too masculine for my tastes.”

“No doubt you'll soften it up. Come along, let's help out the poor man before he starts to whine. Bring him some tea.”

xxxxx-----xxx-----xxxxx

He had all of her stuff moved in that night, just like her mother had said. She really didn't have much. There was never any need for her to own furniture, just clothes, shoes, her collection of pictures and books, her girlie stuff, and of course, her kitchen toys.

They were both snuggled in bed, cuddling after another session of togetherness. Closing her eyes, she contentedly sighed. Everything just felt so perfect. That this was meant to be; this was how her life was supposed to go. As Inuyasha deeply inhaled her sexually-tinted floral scent, he was thinking the same thing.

xxxxx-----xxx-----xxxxx

roshully's notes: Little late in the season for lemonade, but I like lemon chicken. Or lemons, in general.

I will be posting the recipe on my LiveJournal account, though Kagome basically walks you through it. Niku Jyaga means `mother's specialty' and is a very popular dish made in Japan. A lot of homey dishes in Japan are stews that are made from simple foods. This is the generic version of it. Not everyone can afford the expensive meats, so a lot of stews can still taste good with inexpensive cuts. Same can be said with any soup or stew of any culture. Stew season is upon us, well some of us. I was watching the Seahawk's get clobbered by the Steelers and it was 81 degrees in Pittsburg while it was hovering about the low 50s here. So not fair.

Not sure how much you know about how the Japanese take baths, but basically, they wash themselves with water before actually going into the bath. And many don't take showers like how we think of showers. They have a stool that they sit on, and use a nozzle like a shower head to clean themselves with. Once they are clean, then they get into the tub. The bathtub in Japan can be compared to a hot tub here in the States. The hot water stays in the tub while people get in and out. The Japanese household empties their tub every week or two weeks depending on the number of people and usages. And the water is hot. Really hot. I can't wait to try a Japanese bath because I love my water to be hot.

Eri makes a comment about `comfort women'. Comfort women is a euphemism for between 60,000 and 200,000 women, many from Korea and China, who were forced into sexual slavery for Japanese military brothels during World War II. Many Japanese officials to this day deny that this ever happened and that these women choose to become prostitutes. It is an ongoing debate at this moment. Former Prime Minister Abe had originally denied the existence of the historical accuracy of comfort women, but later recanted this belief. Japan has never formally acknowledged or apologized for the treatment of women during this time.

The Jaws of Life is a tool used by firefighters that allow them to rip open a car to rescue the injured victim trapped inside. It is normally referenced as a tool to get anyone out of a really tight jam.

Please give a shout out to my most awesome beta, renagrrl7 for her tireless efforts to make me sound like I'm a better writer. I send her nonsense and she is able to turn it into something intelligible.

Thanks for your patience. I know that this once a month update thing sucks. I think it does, but I can't write any faster given the time I have. So, thanks for putting up with it.

Thank you all for reading and thanks for the great reviews.

Replies

InuAngelInuDevil - Yeah, I can't wait for them to be finished either so I can start on the next chapter. You have school and I have work. Oh well, both are essential. Kagome is a strong woman in the anime/manga, so she is like that in the story. Thanks for the review.

unistar - Intimacy happens in gentle steps for these two. Yeah, Rin and Sesshoumaru…I don't think Kagome would let those two set the pace for her relationship with Inuyasha. But it would make her think about it. Thanks for your review.

Sassa - Kagome has learned to take a deep breath and really think about what it is that is happening around her. In the anime/manga, she is a teenager and in TGO, she is an adult, so, we would hope for some maturity, though that isn't true for everyone. Kagome had always believed that Kagura was Inuyasha's girlfriend, one of the reasons why she stayed away from him during her times with Hojo. It would be easy for anyone to assume that Inuyasha and Kagura were together based on what Kagome saw and heard. But she didn't handle it really well. For some reason, I had a really hard time with that whole Sesshoumaru-Kagome discussion. I can never really picture Sesshoumaru talking that much. I just tried to imagine that if he could hold a conversation, and that is what I ended up with. I want the buffet as well. I'll find one. Thanks for your review.

sempail9 - The food part of this story isn't as easy as it sounds. I have no training with actually preparing menus. I just pick whatever food sounds good.

malitiadixie - I love brouhaha. And I thought that I had spelled it wrong when I first typed it out and lo and behold, that is the correct spelling, so of course, I just had to use it. I am trying to wrap up the things that I opened up. I had initially planned on explaining how Kagura fit into it all. *drooling over demon Inu* He's just as delicious as the food in the story.

Autumn the Reviewer - Oh, the dreaded curse of fan fiction. I too have lost many hours of sleep trying to finish the newest chapter of a good story. Original work? Perhaps when I'm not too busy thinking about this. I come up with dialogue and plot for TGO at work. I hope you don't lose too much sleep over this. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll think about it.

elementalobsession09 - Thanks for waiting. I really try to do this as fast as I can, but I just want to write something that I can appreciate. I try to put as much as I can into this story and that takes time. Would've been different if I had it all written out ahead of time, but I just was so excited by this story I couldn't wait. And I keep adding things into it I never thought about, so taking the extra time is helpful. Again, thanks for your patience and your review.

inu miko - Took me a long time to be able to write like this and even then I have help from a really awesome beta. I have another story waiting to be written in the trenches and I hope that one will be better than this. It's all about practice and improving. Thanks for your support.

Miss Marilyn69 - You left Washington? Washington State? So sorry to hear that. I've been to Arizona. Lake Havasu(sp?) actually. Now there are brain eating amoebae there. I've lived in the great state of WA my whole life. Glad this story could make that drive better. I too drove to Arizona in a cramped car. Not so fun.

cougiecat1 - Kagome and Hojo in the anime/manga have a communication problem. She can't tell him that she's in love with Inu and he's just dumb, so I borrowed that. She's working on building up a way to communication with Inuyasha. She's being doing that in the anima/manga as well. Mmmm, Dr. McHunky Hanyou…yeah…sorry I got distracted…

u ignorant fools - My mom totally digs Rachel Ray. I think she's okay. My boytoy's mom hates Rachel Ray. But I don't think Kagome will be saying EVOO anytime soon. She'll have to have her own little catchphrase. But I never intended for Kagome to be like Rachel Ray or any other Food Network Host. In fact, I don't have cable. The bits I catch of the Food Network is at work. That Semi Homemade Cooking show freaks me out in a scary kind of way.

cwillia - Yeah, I've been working on a Miroku and Sango one shot that works within the TGO universe and, so, they are left out of the story for now. I never planned on their roles being huge. Just a little bit of support here and there. This story is really about Kagome. At least I think so. Sometimes I just don't know.

roshully