Inuyasha crossed his arms and leaned heavily against the tree. "Stupid..." 

Kagome glanced up, eyes narrowing a bit, "What was stupid about that villager asking me if I was married?"

"I'll tell you what's STUPID! The jackass didn't even... even..." Thoughts jumbled themselves up in his head, making it difficult to pull out a clear thought. "He's just STUPID!" 

Kagome looked thoughtful, "But I thought it was a perfectly logical question since they wanted to give us rooms." Kagome's brown eyes settled on him with a look that wasn't completely born of concern, "Why are you so mad?"

"I'm NOT MAD!" Inuyasha seethed. There was anger in him, but it wasn't borne from the villager's stupidity. Kagome should have been claimed and marked a long time ago, but Inuyasha didn't have the balls to do it. "I'm NOT mad!"

"O... kay..." She backed off slowly, returning to her knapsack to shift the heavy burden onto her back. "I wonder what Sango and Miroku are doing now." Her words were quiet, half thoughts, that came out in a soft whisper. "Wonder if they have better luck then we did."

"If I was mad... you would know." Inuyasha slipped down from the tree and landed heavily beside her. "That monk, most likely has secured the biggest and best accommodations in the whole region... like he ALWAYS does." The words were bitter from his mouth. Miroku always found a way to take care of them... make up for something Inuyasha lacked and it seriously bothered the hanyou to no end.

Kagome stared at him, her eyes watching him as if he'd just condemned himself, "And you say you aren't angry?" She glanced back at the village behind them and sighed reluctantly, "So are we staying here or not?"

Why let Miroku claim all the glory with another palace filled with comforts? Why let Kagome coo over all the wonderful things the human man could offer... things the hanyou never could? "Fine... we'll stay HERE!" 

"Whatever," she replied with a roll of her eyes.  "I'll see you in town." Kagome stumbled forward, heading down the muddy road to where the huts and villagers laid.

Inuyasha followed sullenly after her, aware of all the looks he was receiving. Who was this demon to invade their quiet lives? Demons had no place here. Taunts echoed in his ears from a memory long since buried... when his mother took him to the village. But he followed the girl as if she held a leash to his throat. 

Kagome stiffened for a brief moment, a sharp sensation flittering though the recesses of her mind, as she caught herself abruptly. "There are shikon no kakera here."

Inuyasha stopped mid stride and looked around. The words "Shikon no Kakera..." echoed from his own lips. He looked around him, trying to catch a glimpse of the one with the shards. "Where?"

"I don't know, but they are in the village." Kagome reached for his arm, her fingers lying against the red fabric of the haori with an unconscious familiarity. "Nee, maybe we could talk to the Head Elder again."

Inuyasha paled slightly, thinking on their last meeting with the elder. "If you really think we must..." Feeling Kagome's hand on his arm gave him some small comfort. If he could feel her, he knew where she was if and when trouble struck.

She smiled at him, her face as radiant as the afternoon sunlight, "Well just don't look so angry, and I'm sure he'll listen this time."

Her smile floored him... as it often did, making his insides flutter. It was even worse when he was human. THAT side always had ecchi thoughts when she smiled at him. "How can I help it if he's... stupid?"  The hanyou managed, burying the giddy feeling. 

She pulled at him, her fingers sliding absently towards his hand, as Kagome pushed her way through the milling villagers. Some had stopped to stared at them, gaping at two with incredulous eyes, while others pushed on with avoidance. They hadn't really been expecting to see them return, "Just let me try to talk to him. Maybe he'll be nicer when I tell him that I now feel the presence of the shard?" 

Inuyasha followed, clasping her hand tightly with his own. The eyes on him were all accusing... like they hated him for being with the innocent human girl when he had no right to her. 

She shifted the knapsack so that it fell to her feet once they reached the head hut. "Well, I'm sure he'll be nice when I've told him we've changed our mind after all and will take that one room he offered. You don't mind us taking turns staying awake tonight do you?"

"Whatever... I won't sleep." It was true enough. Inuyasha didn't like sleeping indoors. It made him feel confined and under watchful eyes. The hanyou preferred to stay awake and alert when the rest of the group stayed indoors.

She scrunched her lips, looking ideally thoughtful, "Okay, ready?"

Inuyasha made no reply. They were going to talk to the elder whether he wanted to or not. The elder MAY know something about the shard. His hand tightened for a moment on Kagome's, somewhat unconsciously, as if drawing strength from her.
 

She pushed in through the open doorway, moving towards the middle of the room where a fire and stew were kept going by the elder's daughter in law. She blinked, looking at them in surprise as the Elder rose shakily to his feet. He was old, gray haired and wizen and he rested wearily on a cane. "I see you have returned..."

Inuyasha wanted to cross his arms but Kagome had his hand. He settled for scowling at the inhabitants of the room, ready to defend himself if need be.

Kagome glanced over to Inuyasha and nodded, "We thought about taking the accommodations you offered previously."

"Ah, but you said you were not married... we only have the one spare room."

"Well..." She ran her eyes over Inuyasha's uncomfortable form and smiled brightly, "Well, we're going to be." She hoped Inuyasha would play along with her. The villagers here looked as if they could frown on anything, and she wanted to cause as few problems as possible.... especially since she would have to ask about the shikon no tama shards.

Inuyasha's eyes made a quick dart to her and he gave a small gasp. Quickly he covered his reaction and dropped his head, staring at the floor... offering no real protest.

"And we're looking for something that belongs to a friend of ours," She began, trying to cover up his small lapse, "It was broken but still valuable..." 

Was this really happening? Was Inuyasha really standing in a house as Kagome told people that they were engaged? Engaged? Kagome was going on about the jewel... but the engaged part still played in his mind. How could she so casually toss that out, as if it was nothing?

The Elder looked at Inuyasha, his eyes taking in the white hair and comparing it to the human girl next to him. "The room is still yours then, if you so wish it... but it is odd times when a child as young as yourself would align with one such as him... still what is it you seek..."

Inuyasha cringed. Somehow he knew that was coming. It confirmed all he knew about how humans saw him. Fighting off the urge to throw himself at the old man and demand that he take it back... he let his anger move to his shoulders. How COULD he?

"Shards of a precious jewel," she replied truthfully. "It has special properties... I know there are pieces in this village, but as of yet I'm unsure of where to look..." She squeezed Inuyasha's hand and watched Inuyasha carefully. The villager's words, although in ignorance were hurting him. "You okay, Inuyasha... you're so quiet."

Inuyasha gave Kagome a glare that was really a pained look covered over. His eyes fell on the elder. "We won't be too long..." 
 

The elder shrugged, his face long used to dealing with trouble whether real or imagine, seemed to stare right back through him. "Good, I will let you look around the village tomorrow for evening will come early today..." The rest of the words were unsaid, but clearly understood. This time don't come back.

Inuyasha glared hard at the elder, wanting so much to hurt him. THIS was why he didn't want to be human... and yet why he didn't want to be hanyou... or anything. His whole soul ached and all he could do was hold it in. "My... intended is tired... may we see our room?" 

The lady at the fire shuffled forward at the Elder's request and moved immediately down a side door. For such a plump woman she was robust enough as she strode down the wooden hallways to where a room laid near the end. 

Kagome followed after, her grip on Inuyasha with one hand, and the bag with her other.

A sense of doom washed over the hanyou as he followed Kagome into the bowels of the house. He did NOT feel comfortable at all.

She pulled her hand free as she walked into the room, and went to lay her bag against the mat on the floor. "Thank you...I... Hmm... She left already?"

Inuyasha closed the door with a reassuring bang and turned to look at Kagome. "I don't like it here."

"I'm sorry," she murmured, her fingers rifling through her knapsack as she searched for the kettle and her stash of ramen. "But where are we supposed to go... I know I felt the shards here."

"The way they looked at me..." Inuyasha shivered, pacing over to the window. "They were so disgusted..."

She watched him, noticing how terribly uneasy he was. "Not all people are like that
Inuyasha. I hope you don't think I'm like that."

"It's not you I'm worried about..." His eyes focused on something outside for a moment before falling back on her. "The idea of a hanyou and a human... for some people is... just as wrong as demon and human."

"Ah..." She stopped rummaging in her back and took a guarded breath, her next words sounded very apologetic, "I'm sorry I gave them that impression, but I didn't want to have to deal with them thinking you and I were just fooling around or something..." She colored, her face going bright red, "Gomen."
 

"Fooling... around..." The phrase was unfamiliar to him. "Is that something... ecchi?"

Her blush raced down her cheeks passed her neck and down her chest, "Yeah."

A snort escaped from him. "Figures." His eyes resumed their search outside. "That's all some humans think of demons... that all they do is 'fool around' with young, defenseless human girls." 

"I thought demons just "ate" young defenseless girls?"

Inuyasha smirked. "That's not all..." 

She grinned at him, "AHA, see you can smile."

The hanyou shook his head. "No fair... Using your ecchi humor on me."

She tossed him a ramen package as she held up her kettle, "You think we can get a small fire going?" The room had its own store of water and wood piled in its corner, a fact that relieved her since she wasn't much looking forward to asking the elder for it.

Inuyasha took a couple of sticks and began to rub them together. "Didn't you bring any of those fire sticks?" 

"Yeah, you mean the matches..." She dug into her bag and held up a lighter, "Hmm, looks like Mama strikes again. Well it saves on matches I guess."

Inuyasha watched with interest as Kagome produced the fire in the fireplace. "I am kinda hungry," he admitted, watching her set out the kettle.

Kagome turned back to her bag and pulled out what looked like more dried food. "Want something dry to eat while we wait for the soup?"

Inuyasha sat down near her and nodded, holding out his hand to her, expectantly.

"Nee, Inuyasha... you weren't offended when I said we were engaged were you?"

"Not by you... but that look they gave me. As if you had announced I had killed your family."  Inuyasha stared dully at the fire. 

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. But..." She smiled ruefully to herself as she dropped the dry meat into his fingers, "I kinda... felt proud for a bit then."

"Proud? Why?" The meat was brought to his mouth and he licked at the salty flavoring. 
 

She looked away, glancing into the sparks of the crackling fire as if it held all the answers, "I rather... liked it..." 

"You liked... pretending you were my intended?" His eyes grew big and the meat dangled from his lips. 

"I'm sorry, I know you probably don't like the idea of me being your intended... after all I'm just here to support you..." She coughed and glanced up at him, "Ah, gomen... I didn't mean to go and dredge up Kikyou like that."

Inuyasha stared at the flames, the meat half forgotten. "But..." The meat made an ungraceful fall to his lap. "But that means... you would..."

"What? What does that mean?" She fixed him with a wary look, "I'd said I'd follow after you, remember."

"No... I meant... Intended means that you would... be mine... forever." His hand scooped up the wayward meat and put it back to his lips.

"I know... but to me... I think that I already a..." The kettle whistled and she turned her attention immediately to the blowing steam.

Whistles couldn't interrupt an inquisitive mind. "Already a what?" The hanyou queried.

She ripped open the paper lid, discarding the garbage inside a spare bag she'd brought for it, as she sighed, "I don't want to follow anyone else."

"You don't want to follow... Miroku or... Shippou... or that Hobo guy?" A piece of meat got caught his throat and he chocked.

She slapped him on the back abruptly, "Are you okay, Inuyasha? What makes you think I want any of them...?" 

"Well..." His answer came amidst coughs and gasps. "They just... I..." 

"They what? Are human? But Shippou is a kid... a baby... He's like my little brother... I would have thought you'd be more concern with Kouga."

"Kouga doesn't threaten me... he's nothing more than a windbag... a... a..." Inuyasha frowned, trying to find ways to describe Kouga.

"A... wimpy wolf?"

"Yeah. A wimpy wolf." His arms crossed and he stared disdainfully at the fire. Kouga WAS a wimp... who couldn't keep his paws to himself. He always had to come along when he wasn't wanted and... and... TOUCH Kagome.

She smiled at him, resting her hand on his with a touch of reassurance, "Well I told you before, you have nothing to worry about with Kouga."

"Well you don't help much... encouraging him..." Inuyasha snorted.

"Encouraging... him?" she glowered at him, "How do I encourage him? I don't fall all over him like you and..." She took a deep breath and turned back to the ramen in which she had poured the hot water in, "Here your food is ready Mr. Double standard."

"He thinks you are his woman..." The hanyou took the ramen, nearly burning his fingers. "You call him 'Kouga-kun.'"

"And you and Kikyou kissed."

"I didn't kiss her." Inuyasha blew on the ramen.

"Yeah well... it was still as kiss..." She couldn't believe herself, wincing on about that damn kiss. She'd said it then, that it hadn't bothered her as much as what his words to Kikyou had done, but still... Kagome sighed and poured water into her own ramen bowl. 

Inuyasha set his bowl down, splashing hot broth over the sides. He yelped and sucked on his fingers.  That's what he got for trembling.

"You okay?" She asked worried, her fingers reaching gently for his to examine them for scalding.

"Stings a bit." Came his reply. For a moment he wasn't sure what she was referring to… her comment about Kikyou or the burn.

Kagome gave a gentle smile as if remembering something from long ago, "I remember a time you wouldn't let me tend to you."

"Well... I didn't know you very well back then..." The hanyou's reply was quiet. He let his hand be tended by her. When had that trust changed? When did he let her take care of him?

"I remember," she giggled as she held his hand now, "Trying to take off your clothes and you said, "BEG ME TO."" She laughed at that memory.  "I still tried to take them off you."

Inuyasha gave her a smirk. "And then when you DID see me naked, you threw things at me." His head shook as he "tsk"ed at her.

"Hey, you were interrupting my studying, you know." she had both her hands over his hand, small in comparison to the size of his hand; they still didn't quite cover them. "Well you've seen me naked twice at least."

"More than that..." He breathed, looking away into the gathering darkness of the room.

"Yeah, well... I think I was entitled then," she flushed as she held onto his hand. The warmth in his fingers suffused into her hands and she wondered why she hadn't let go yet. "Nee, Inuyasha... you're going to think I'm ecchi, but can I check on that shoulder wound you got the other day from Kagura?"

"Why would I think you're ecchi? Maybe YOU'RE the one with the ecchi thoughts?" His back was presented to her as he began to undo his haori. The room may have belonged to a bigoted villager, but he felt safe and comforted just being with Kagome. 

"Yeah well... sorry... its very hard not to under the circumstances," she replied in a voice just barely above a whisper. "You're not ugly to look at you know. I'm sure if everyone got over their hang-ups about demons... you'd have a flood of girls after you."

"Doesn't interest me..." The hanyou snorted. His haori was pushed down around his waist and his kimono soon followed. Casually his hair was pulled to one side so she could inspect him.

She ran her fingers lightly over the skin on the upper left side of his back, her gaze scanning the puckered skin carefully. "It looks like it's healing perfectly." She reached gently and tugged at the rosary, "Does this pain you much?"

"What?" His eyes caught hers from over his shoulder. "What pains me?"

She felt exposed, opened up to his golden gaze, as he stared back at her, "This rosary... to be shackled to me. Doesn't that hurt?"

"I forgot it was there... No. Doesn't hurt unless you tell me to..." His voice trailed off. "Why?"

She gazed at him, her brown eyes watching his, as she reached up gently and embraced him from behind, "I just sometimes forget you are human... You're so powerful... that sometimes..."

"But I don't want to BE human... not like those people we come across... like here. And I'm not powerful enough... if I was, you wouldn't get hurt." His body leaned back into her embrace. When was the last time they hugged like this? When he was full demon. 

"I think you're very strong Inuyasha... just as you are... and no one said you had to be like them. One of the reasons I care about you so much is because of who you are." she glanced off to the side, and stared at the window with its encroaching night, ~I love Inuyasha because of who he is.~

His hands touched hers and he leaned back further into the embrace. "Even though... I'm an unnatural freak?"

Kagome stared into his eyes as her pupils grew wide and reflected his penetrating gaze.  Gently she leant forward and very timidly kissed the side of his cheek. She'd been aiming for his lips, but she was shaking so badly, she missed. "You're not a freak."

Inuyasha's lips opened as he gave a soft gasp of surprise. "I'm... not?" She had kissed him. His whole body shifted so more of him faced her. "What do you mean?"

"I think of you as normal... I know you see yourself in 3 parts, demon, human, both, but to me you are just Inuyasha." She lifted her face, staring directly into his shimmering gold eyes, as she added, "Inuyasha is Inuyasha. That's all there is to it."

"Sounds familiar..." His body completed the turn so he faced her. Had her kiss been a fluke? Did she mean it? His gaze fixed on her lips. He wanted to feel them again... to know it hadn't been a mistake. 

She licked at her lips, very self conscious now of his staring, as she blushed, "You aren't mad that I did that, are you?"

"Mad? Why would I be?" His breath came lightly from between his opened lips. "Are you mad?"

"Not at all, I’m just... I never kissed a boy before..." She blushed as red as his haori, ~Nor been kissed either~ "I... you were staring at my lips... I thought you were offended."

"I'm NOT offended." His eyes flickered to hers. "I... I..." His hand caught her wrist, pulling her closer.

"Inu... Inuyasha?" She blinked as he pulled her forward, her body pushing up against his, her hands falling around his waist.

His lips lightly touched hers. "Does that PROVE I'm not offended?" 

Her hands tighten against his back, holding him against her quivering chest, as she closed her eyes. Kagome kissed him back, her lips seeking the depth of his lips by just mere reaction.

This wasn't like with Kikyou. With Kikyou he never made the first move. It was always her lips against his and he was too scared or shocked to do anything but stand there. With Kagome... He pushed his lips against hers, hungrily. His lips opened and his tongue lapped at her. 

Kagome pulled at him tightly, drawing her arms desperately along his bare back, fingers grasping at the skin. The taste of his lips surprised even her.  She'd wanted to feel them for so long that now that she had all she wanted was to consume him. 

A soft moan escaped him as his arms tightened around her. The texture of her lips delighted him and he wanted more. His tongue sought entrance.

Kagome's sigh twisted with Inuyasha's moan to intermingle of soft muted sounds. She opened her lips to his, allowing the rough texture of his lips and tongue access into her warm mouth.

He tasted her mouth directly, for a moment lost in the textures and the taste as his tongue explored deep. Clawed fingers twisted themselves in her hair, wanting to bring her closer. So much need... so much desire... so much... He pushed away, gasping for air, blinking at her with guilty and confused eyes.

She tumbled backwards, landing hard on her rump, staring breathlessly into his eyes. She looked puzzled, almost hurt as she mistaken his look for one of shame. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly, "I didn't mean to make you do that."

His fingertips touched his lips as he processed all that went on in his head. He WANTED Kagome.  He had always WANTED Kagome. This was the first time he had ever been so close to her and something drove him into desire. If he didn't stop them now, then what would happen? "I... You didn't make me... I... made you..." He whispered.

She shook her head in the negative, black hair sliding down her shoulders as she folded her hands in her lap. "No, I ... wanted to kiss you." She flushed, embarrassed as exposing that secret, but feeling she had to make sure he knew whom to really blame.

"I... wanted too..." His fingers still touched his lips but confusion unclouded from his eyes, replaced by hope and need. "You taste good."

She glanced up beneath the bangs of her black hair, watching his golden eyes. "I just... overreacted.... you felt... really good too."

"Overreacted? No..." A blush crossed his face. Her reaction could not be anywhere near as bad as his.  Casually he readjusted his pants. "I felt good?"

She rubbed at her arms and nodded, "I was forgetting myself... I wanted to..." She really felt embarrassed now and glanced away as a result of it.

"You wanted to what?"

She went really red. "Don't make me say it..." her words were very quiet and very timid.

"Tell me?" Inuyasha whispered, almost pleadingly. 

She blushed bright red, her hands twisting against her skirt as she stuttered helplessly, "to kiss you... to be kissed..."

His gaze fell into the fire, perhaps to hide his burning cheeks with warmth from the fire. "Oh..." His fingers touched his burning cheeks. "Then... why haven't you?" It seemed logical to him. Kikyou kissed him when she felt like it, Kagome SHOULD be able to do the same.

"Because..." She became flustered, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.  "I'm not Kikyou anymore... I can't just... do that." She brought her fingers up to cover her eyes, "I can't step between you two like that... Even though I want to..." ~I'm scared for some reason...~

"You... want to?" Inuyasha's eyes went wide as they suddenly filled with images of Kagome holding him, kissing him... being with him. "Do you?"

She nodded as her voice dried up, loosing all substance and forcing Kagome to cough uncomfortably. 

He blinked for a moment in concern before patting at her back. "You OK, Kagome?"

"Yes... sorry." She reached for the ramen, drinking a bit of the warm broth to clear her throat.  "I'm okay. I didn't mean to make you worry."

A frown crossed his face as he watched her sip the broth. "What do you want from me, Kagome?"

She set the bowl down and glanced up at him, her brown eyes turning back to his. In those heated depths burned the fire that had consumed her earlier when they had embraced like that. "I don't want much..." ~only you~

A fleeting smile crossed his face, momentarily softening his scowl. "Not much... just my lips?"

She licked at her lips, her tongue tasting the curve of her bottom one, as she nodded with her own smile. "Is that so bad?"

His head shook, almost in perceptively. "If you want them. They are yours... from now on."

"Are you sure that's safe..." She stared down at her ramen, stirred it a bit with her spoon so that steam still issued forth as she sighed. "I might want more than that..." 

"What more is there? You already own my body when you make me sit..." His eyes fell on the fire. "I don't have much else."

She reached for his fingers, her movements done without thinking for Kagome knew if she allowed herself to dwell on what she was doing, she'd surely get embarrassed and stop. The fact was, she was already crimson, but the gestured was already completed. She placed his hand onto of her left breast as if he owned it, "But you do have much more...."

His eyes fell for a moment where his hand touched her breast. It was warm and soft. Her heartbeat pounded in his ears. He could always hear it, even when they weren't touching. "And... What is that?" His whisper was labored as his eyes pleaded with hers.

"Your heart... and soul... you have so much more..." ~You have me...~ Why was she such a coward that she couldn't say that out loud, why did she say one thing and then admit the rest when he wouldn't hear it? "You're life... you're dreams... your hopes... and goals... there are so many things Inuyasha..."

"I... don't need hopes..." For a moment the scowl returned. "I certainly don't deserve them..."  Reflexively his hand squeezed her breast before he pulled it back. "I've done... terrible things."

"But that's in the past Inuyasha," Kagome ran her fingers through her black hair and turned to stare at her Ramen. She'd better finish it soon or it would get cold. 

"With these hands... I've taken innocent lives... How do I know I won't take... yours?" His fingers closed into fists, squeezing tightly shut until blood flowed from where his claws bit at flesh. "Mother... Kikyou... are dead because..."

"I love you."

A gasp escaped his throat as his heart thundered in his chest. It was something he wanted to hear and yet... did he really deserve to hear it from her? "I know..." Suddenly a very young and raw Inuyasha sat in his grown-up body. The young Inuyasha had loved so easily, and had been hurt many times. "I love..." Old Inuyasha took over and stifled the words.

"I know... Kikyou... it’s okay..." She set down her ramen and turned to reach out to drag another piece of wood onto the fire. "It's okay Inuyasha... remember I said I would follow behind you... even if it’s behind both you and Kikyou..." It hurt to say that, the words grating hard in her throat as they escaped from her lips. But it was true... she loved him enough to watch from the sidelines. "Now if you'll excuse me... I better go take care of a few private things and then I'll be back."

"Kikyou?" Inuyasha echoed in confusion. He watched Kagome. "What do you mean?"

She had already risen to her feet, her fingers rubbing her eyes as if something had flown into them, hiding desperately the tears that would have fallen otherwise. "Nothing," she murmured, pushing open the door and staggering out.

Inuyasha's gaze returned to the fire as his brain tried to wrap itself around Kagome's words. She seemed to think... that Kikyou. But Kikyou never had the same affect on him. Kagome awakened him in ways Kikyou never could. Before Kagome... he hadn't even touched himself. A blush crossed his face and he sat in perfect stillness.

Kagome did not return as quickly as she should have, but there was no help for that. One of the daughters in laws of the elder had offered to tend to her, and she was a bit thankful for the warm bath and herbs used to scent the water that had been offered. Dressed in a white kimono with circular patterns crisscrossing with flower petals, she made her way silently back to the room. 

Inuyasha turned his head at the sound of her entrance. She looked like... like... a bride. He felt inadequately dressed in her presence. "Did you bathe?" He managed, not taking his eyes from her.

She nodded as she set her clothing to the side and shut the door. "They were very fussy... and nosy..." She walked to where a pile of blankets laid and shrugged as she started to short them out. "They were adamant that I be clean for some reason."

"Clean? Because they see me as unclean?" His eyes followed her movements around the room. She looked... beautiful and... timeless and... mysterious. It was more mysterious that when he watched her bathe.

She drew the blankets out over the bed mats, making it fluffier and more comfortable looking. "I wish I had my bed here... it would be so much more comfortable..." She glanced up, and ran a hand through her still damp hair, "I don't think so... But they're not important... Inuyasha."

"Well you're clean... I'm not. But I don't plan to sleep tonight." He rested his chin on his hand.  "Your bed is comfortable. I think that was the best night I spent... on your bed."

"You were so cute too," she murmured softly, as she rolled up two blankets into a makeshift pillow, "But you're going to bed first Inuyasha. It's my turn to stand guard."

"I told you, I don't want to sleep here." His arms crossed his chest and he glared at her, daring her to disagree.

She got up and reached for his hands, pulling at him hard, "Well you're going to lay down or I will make you lay down."

"You will, will you? And how will you do THAT?" A growl escaped his throat as he was forced to follow her to the bedding.

"I'll just say the word, won't I?" She smiled at him, her grin showing teeth, as she pushed him down, "I 'ave me ways." She faked a British spy accent and raised her eyebrow.

"What language was THAT?" He whispered, feeling her warm body so near his own. "Kagome..."

She giggled, "It's English... well a variation of it... You know I feel like a doll dressed up like this." She reached up and smoothed his bangs from his eyes, "You okay Inuyasha?"

"You look like... a bride." His voice faltered and he blinked at her, unsure what else to say.

"Yeah... but we all know I won't ever be a bride." She pushed at him, trying to get him to lie down on the makeshift bed, "It's a nice thought Inuyasha... but just go to bed... you've been up much longer than I have."

"Why won't you be a bride?" His face looked perplexed as he resisted her push to lay him down.

She looked sad, her eyes a bit red, as she shrugged helplessly, "The guy I want has someone else." She made to push harder, to get him to finally lie down, but it was proving to be rather difficult.

"Then why don't you steal him back?" For a moment he wondered whom they were talking about.  Kagome had said she loved him... was there another guy in her life? Someone Inuyasha didn't know about?

"What if he really loves her," Kagome replied, her hands going limp, resting casually on his haori as she looked off to the side, "I can't take what won't be taken..."

"Really loves her? I don't think that's possible. Look at you..." Kagome looked sad. Inuyasha hated seeing her sad. He had to think of something to cheer her... especially since they were alone. 

She snorted and shook her head, "What can I do compare to her. They had everything together before me... I... I can't compete with that."

"You are your own person, unique and interesting. If he can't see that... he's an idiot. Just... take him, Kagome." Hope built in his chest. She had better be speaking of him. If it was some other guy... Inuyasha would have to maim him.

Kagome stared at him, listening to his words as if carefully weighing them within her heart, "But what if he pushes me back?"

"Why would he be so stupid?"

"Because he's hurt me many times... Can you blame me for getting scared?" She lifted her eyes and looked at him, "What if he doesn't love me? I mean... I know he cares, but..." She sighed. Kagome knew she was rambling now. "Maybe I should shut up now."

"He must love you..." Inuyasha swallowed hard. "How could he not? You probably drive him wild and yet calm him down all at the same time. He probably doesn't know what the hell he's doing... his body's reacting in ways it never had before... and he's confused as hell." The hanyou stopped, unsure how she would interpret THAT. 

Tears slid down her cheeks, pooling under her chin and dropping onto her kimono. "Do you believe he loves me?"

"Yes..." Inuyasha whispered, watching her tears fall. He had hurt her... it was an accident.  "Kagome... don't cry."

She lifted her fingers softly, her hand tracing the curve of his cheek, as she leaned forward and kissed him. Shy, timid, her lips against him were nothing like before. She was almost afraid she'd get burned or something. 

His arms wrapped around her body, drawing her kimono-enshrouded body closer and deeper into the kiss. Her body felt good to him... so good. She was so alive.

Fingers carefully intertwined within his milky white hair as she grew a bit more braver in her kiss, "Inuyasha... do you think he'll be my groom?"

Fear crossed Inuyasha's heart. If he said yes and she meant someone else... "I... yes..." Sadness touched his eyes. ~But I want her...~

"I can only ever love one man, Inuyasha," she pulled her lips from his, but did not break the embrace as she leaned against him. "Not Kouga, Hojou, Miroku... or even Shippou..."

Inuyasha had a sudden wicked thought of defiling her before she could be with this one perfect man.  If he could claim her first... but... she trusted him completely. He couldn't... "Oh."

Kagome's body pressed against his, her arms holding against his body as if trying to take all the warmth from him and apply it to her. "I could never love them as I love him." 

~What about me?~ His arms shook from supporting both their weights and he fell backwards against the bedding, blinking up at her in surprise.

She slid over him, her arms refusing to release him, as she stared at him, "Can I be your bride for real Inuyasha?"

Relief flooded through him and seemed to collect in places only she awakened on him. "My... bride?  You want to be my bride?" He managed.

"If you love me, then yes..." She lowered her face closer to his, her entire body lying horizontal with his, as she nodded, "You should know by now... that I love only you. You should know that."

His hands fumbled on her back. "You're... dressed like a bride..." He moaned, softly as his fingers tugged at the silky fabric.

"Is that so very important?" She was murmuring softly, her breath fanning his lips as she kissed him.  She hadn't thought much on the outfit they had given her, just taking it because she needed to put something on.  "Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha tugged at the sash, even if the rest of him wasn’t aware exactly what he wanted, his hands seemed to know.  One last tug and her kimono was untied.  Her body was pushed off of his and onto her back.  Instead of standing over her as he had done when he stole the shikon shards, his legs straddled hers and he stared down at her pale body. 

"Is it," she still questioned, her breathing coming in slow breaths as her dark eyes regarded him carefully.  She shivered a bit, at being so exposed, as her eyes trailed over his white hair that swirled gently over his bare chest.  That was right, he'd removed his upper clothing when she'd ask to examine him. 

His fingers lightly slid over her body, from collarbone down to pubic bone and back up to flick her nipples.  With a smile and a small grunt he leaned forward, letting his hair cascade around both of him as he laid his naked chest against her nakedness.  His lips touched hers.  "Kagome."  He breathed against her lips. 

"Inuyasha," she whispered gingerly, her voice going deceptively soft as she shyly raised her arms to hug him close.  "You lied… you aren't unclean... you smell nice…"

"Smell nice?" A chuckle escaped him.  "I can smell my own musk..."  Her warm arms encircled his body.  They were in a dangerous position... so close to...  "You belong to me." His voice was hoarse with need. 

Kagome stared at him, her body tingling in places she'd thought would never experience this jarring feeling of desire and... and…  "Not yet... "

Inuyasha raised a quizzical eyebrow to her.  "What do you mean 'not yet?'  You were mine the first time I saved you... the first time I protected you.  The first time you cried for me..." His features softened as he thought back on all the battles.  "You are MINE.  My woman..."  A memory flashed of the Hanten taunting for going wild when he thought Kagome had been killed... or when he thought the hermit had eaten her. 

"Not yet... in body... in spirit… we were meant long before..."  She felt the way his body held her so protectively close and she sighed with a gentle smile, her hands tightening on his back. 

One leg pushed between hers and then the other as he found a better way to sprawl over her body.  "I told you... you already have my body, with these beads."  His fingers fumbled at the clawed rosary that hung around his neck.  "As for spirit..." 

She raised her fingers, playing them along the beads, "If I took them off though... would you still be mine?"

"I gave you my lips..."

"But...  would you still be mine…" Her hands trembled, her fingers stiffening on the beads.  If... if... she took them off and he just left her... but...  "Duck your head a moment..."

Silently he obeyed, lowering his head for her.  He could feel her heartbeat hammering in her chest.  Excitement and fear he sensed from her. 

She pulled the rosary from his bowed head, sliding it over his dog ears and white hair.  The round beads slide in her sweating palms, as she drew her hand to her side.  "Are you still mine?"  The words came after a lull, a hesitant, fearful pause.

Inuyasha took the beads from her, letting them slide across the palm of his hand as he sat up to study them in the firelight.  Silently he regarded them and then her.  His eyes took in her form from her blinking, fearful eyes down to her lower lips that had dampened his pants.  Without warning he stood and went to her bag, dropping the beads in with the rest of the contents of her bag.  His fingers fumbled at the knots on his pants.

She turned her face, her brown eyes staring at him, watching him with a sort of hungry relentlessness.  She didn't want to loose him.  Kagome would do whatever he wanted if that meant being together with him.  ...Even if it meant being in his arms only because he lusted for her...

His pants, fundoshi and the rest that was gathered at his waist fell into a pile of red and white.  In awkward steps he returned to where he had been between her legs.  "Last time you saw me like this you threw things at me... not this time."

"I was studying last time... Inuyasha," her breath caught in her throat as she gazed fully on his exposed body.  He was beautiful... so very handsome.  "No, not this time..."

"I went to you that night because I wanted to get away from your brother... you made me feel comfortable... even though I was naked.  I didn't care if you saw me."  His gaze rested on her beautiful, young body, taking in every curve.

She colored under his stare, staring up at him as she lay there waiting.  "Do you want this Inuyasha... with me?"  There was no denying that she wanted him because she knew her smell and other bodily signs were already screaming for him. 

In answer, he blinked down at himself.  It had been hard for a very long time tonight... from the moment he met her.  "This is all I have, Kagome... This is all I am.  You accept that."  His body leaned forward as he lay back down on her body.  "I want... you."

"Inuyasha," her voice seemed to express joy beyond no bounds.  He hadn't claimed her yet... but his words… were enough.   "I love you, Inuyasha..." She lifted her face to his, searching his lips with her own questing ones.

His lips returned her passion, seeming to unlock something within him.  Hips gently pushed against hers as hands groped for someplace to touch.  "I've never... done this."  He whispered against her lips.  "Never..."

"Never?" She seemed stunned, "Not even with..."

Inuyasha pulled a bit away and blinked down at her.  "Why would we?  We barely even touched before.  And I didn't feel the need... until recently, that is... for anything more."

"I just... I just thought that maybe you and Kikyou..." She paused, fingers reaching up to tug at his white hair, "The way you used to look at Kikyou and all... I was… I just assumed..."  She stopped and let out of his white hair.  She was only rambling her way into more of a corner as she spoke.

The hanyou shook his head.  "I've never been hard enough around her to do anything.  I guess I was physically immature when I met her... but even now."

"Even now," she breathed, her gaze staring right into his honey yellow eyes.  "With me you're different?"  But wasn't he different with her.  Inuyasha was lying right over her now... she could feel each muscled against her heated flesh and she was having a difficult time not to swoon....  He was right... wasn't he?

"Yes, with you... I'm always... ready.  And I feel guilty when she comes around.  I lose my readiness.  It's like... I don't know.  My body is strange."  His arms buried themselves beneath her body.  "It's been like that since we first met."

She didn't know quite what to say to that.  It hurt even now hearing him speak of her, but she knew he was just trying to explain himself... just trying...  "Inuyasha?"

"You're the only one who's ever... done this to me... made me ready ALL the time."  A smile crossed his face.  "Sometimes it hurts, but usually... it makes me feel good."

"I’m sorry... I don't mean to..." She shifted under him as her fingers timidly traced a searching pattern all over his spine.  She liked the feel of him against her flesh.  He was so very strong and she liked the safety and security he lent to her.

"At first I thought you cast a spell on me to make me always react like that to you... but as time went on... and more and more demons called you my woman.  I sort of guessed... My human side didn't help much.  When I'm him... it's much harder to resist.  But usually I'm dying at that point so I don't have the strength to do anything."  Inuyasha snorted in contempt.

She snuggled up close to him as he spoke, her hands continuing to play along his skin, as she listened to all he told her.  "I've been moody a lot too... we always seem to get into fights a lot... but I was so afraid that you wanted Kikyou instead of me, that I didn't help matters much...  I always wanted to be held in your arms... to be your mate."

"We usually fight when you are fertile.  It's no accident.  I do things to make it happen so you won't come near me..."  His lips kissed her neck.  "I can't resist now...  I'm sorry." 

"Am… am I fertile now?" Her eyes flew open, her head arching back instinctually, as her hands tighten on his back. 

"A couple of days ago... you probably remember my outburst to make you cry..."  His fingertips traced her side as his lips sought her warm, sweet skin.

She swallowed deeply, her breath ragged in her chest, as his lips pressed against her throat, "Yeah..." She threaded her hands over his skin, caressing him with shy hands that grew bolder with each touch. 

His hand found her pubic bone again, trying to ease the pain from being pressed against it.  "Kagome... What exactly is this called... what we're doing?"  His thumb carelessly slipped down against her.

She squealed under his touch and nearly bolted up from surprise, "You mean sex?"

A look of worry crossed his face as he sat up a bit.  "Did I hurt you?"

She may have colored once by saying that word, but they were both naked and so close to each other now, that she didn’t blush anymore.  Her blushes now were just on how close his touch was to her exposed body.  "No, I was just surprised... you're the first to touch me." 

"Oh..."  His thumb slipped down further, deeper into her warm folds.  "You're the first too... Sex..."  The word felt foreign on his tongue.  Of course he knew some slang terms, but he never associated them with what they were doing now.  It always seemed so abstract and hard to understand.  It seemed to involve two people getting very close.  That's all he knew.  His thumb probed deeper as his remaining digits lightly stroked himself.

"What... what are you doing?" She rasped, her hands sliding down to the front of his body, moving all over his chest as she lowered her mouth to his chest.  Whatever he was doing, it felt absolutely divine.  She wanted to share it with him also.

"My thumb... is in... you."  Inuyasha managed between gasps.  His skin was highly sensitive and to feel her lips... A whimper escaped his throat as his manhood took the place of his thumb in probing her.  He wanted both hands free to touch her back.

She froze and rested taunt under him as something hot and heavy pushed between her legs.  Oh god, were they really doing this?  "Inuyasha... Oh gods... you're... you're..." Her hands gripped his arms, not letting go of him at all.  She was afraid if she let go he'd disappear and just be a figment of her dreams.

He felt her freeze... and yet... he felt like he belonged where he was.  "I'm what?"  Confusion crossed his face.  All his instincts insisted that he move, but the look on her face held him in place.  "Did I hurt you?"

"No, but..." She fixed him with soft gentle eyes that showed him how much she loved him, "I want to go slow... each moment... I want to savor each moment you get inside me... I want it to last forever..."

"Inside of you..."  A sigh escaped and he relaxed above her, glancing off to the door, as if he expected the household to be standing there.  "For some reason I feel safe... and secure being like this, even though we are exposed..."  His hips pushed to enter her completely.  "Kagome..."

She gurgled and cried out, tossing her head back sharply as her hands gripped his arms as if they were iron.  "Inuyasha..."

Golden eyes stared intently at her.  "Sorry..."

She rested against his flustered skin, he was as hot as she was, but that was only to be expected.  "That's why I said... go slow..."  She took deep gulping breaths.  "Your too..." ~Hard... big?~ Was that the problem?

"I'm too what?"  Worry filled his eyes.  Miroku had said once... that a mate should fit perfectly.  If he didn't fit comfortably... did that mean...? 

She squeezed his arms and shook her head, "It’s not bad… it just hurts right now... I think we should have waited just a little bit more..."

No, She had to be his mate... had to.  The way he wanted to be with her... They HAD TO fit together.  She was the only one who understood him... accepted him.  His lips sought out her throat again, kissing and biting, tasting her blood as his hands caressed her.

"Inuyasha..." She let out a strangled sigh, her body involuntarily pushing against his, as his lips claimed her throat.  The more he played with her, the more her body seemed to relax under him... the more they seemed to fit.  "Beloved..."

Her scent emanated from him after he swallowed her blood.  Their scents mingled in his body as his lips went for her earlobe and her jaw, driving him a bit over the edge with desire.  Instinct told him to thrust... to find release... to claim her completely. 

"Inuyasha," she trembled under him, shaking and nearly afraid of the speed in which he would consume her.  "Gods... why are you like this... why are you rushing to do this?"

"I need you..."  His body contorted.  "The mating must be completed... I can't hold back.  I've tasted your blood... I can't... I..." 

Her eyes soften, she grew very sad, but she smiled at him, "Then finish it.  I'll still be here when you come back to yourself."

A soft grunt and a frozen moment marked his release.  He relaxed a bit and continued, this time slower.  "You are... my mate now."

"Yeah," she turned her face from him, staring dismissally to the side, "I'm your mate, but are you mine?"

"What?  I marked myself with your scent.  Didn't you know that?  That's why I... so quickly."

"I wanted us to enjoy the first moment together..."  She grew quiet as he pushed above her. "You just wanted to feel that on your own..."

"I'm still going... I'll feel it many times before we stop.  I think it's a demon thing.  Miroku says human men can only do it once..."  Inuyasha's eyes regarded her thoughtfully.  "Each one after will become more and more intense.  That was only the little one."

~I wanted the first one~ She shrugged and refused to look at him, "Fine...  I am yours remember."  She turned her face to him, dark eyes accusing and fixed on his gold ones, "You rushed me for this..."

"You WANT me... And I'm nowhere near being done yet.  I can go ten more rounds before..."  He shook his head.  “Oh... never mind.”

Kagome reached up and pushed him, shoving him back from her as she tried to get some leverage, "And you said you never did this before."

"Never with anyone else... Just touching myself..."  His eyes were filled with hurt.  She was rejecting him. 

She glared at him, eyes misting with tears, as she couldn't find any further leverage.  "I'm only a possession to you... I’m only a THING!"

"You are not a THING!  You are Kagome!  Look, woman..."  His arms pushed her back down and he crawled down her body.  His face lowered and he began to lick her clean with his tongue.

"What... what are you doing?"  She was frightened of the feelings he was trying to invoke in her.  This overwhelming fear of what they had done... this binding...  She wanted to run away and hide inside a corner with a blanket held over her head.  "Don't please," she begged.  She who had wanted to be with him, to stay forever with him and to do whatever it took to have him... was completely afraid of these feelings.  It was easy to speak; it was very hard to admit the truth though.

His face lifted as he pushed his hips into the futon.  A wince crossed his face and he gasped for a moment.  Beneath him, the bedding wetted from his next level.  Now that it was started, it wouldn't stop until he was drained completely.  Somewhere in the evolutionary chain this had been found to be the most successful way for demons to produce offspring.  Inuyasha left his head pillowed on Kagome's thigh.

Kagome gripped her sides and stared up at the ceiling.  "Why were you so desperate for us to mate?"

"You said... you wanted me to be your groom.  This is the only way I know how to make me a groom."  His voice came in soft reply.

"But you overwhelmed me entirely... so completely... there was no room for us... it was only you... on top of me..."

"I've been holding back for so long... so very long.  And this method doesn't help much... it quickens the blood when I tasted you..."  A soft grunt interrupted his speech as he shivered.  Warm liquid was again expelled.  "Your blood." 

Kagome shivered under him, and whispered softly, "I'm very cold Inuyasha."

Inuyasha pulled himself off of her body, pulling the blankets up to her chin, careful to avoid the wet spot he had created.  "Go to sleep... I'll stand guard." 

She nodded and pulled the blanket close to herself, pushing her face into the makeshift pillow.  "Good night Inuyasha."

Inuyasha crawled to sit against the wall, still unclothed.  His affliction was getting worse, but he would do what he normally did when it came on him... try to remain calm and catch his seed each time it fell and take it back into himself.  "If you hear noises... it'll just be me.  I'll be as quiet as I can."  Slowly he turned to face the wall so she couldn't see as another moment overcame him.  He bit back his whimper and shivered as the feeling waned.  His tongue made short work of cleaning his hand.

She shifted, dropping the blanket behind her as she tiptoed softly to where he was.  Slowly she traced her fingers along the side of his neck, tracing down to his arms and against his waist, "Did you ever learn that you can share and not overwhelm?"

His head shook.  "I don't have any experience with this... I told you... just those times I woke up after dreaming about you.  First time this happened it scared the shit out of me."  He bowed his head and shivered miserably.

"Then let me show you... and maybe we won't scare each other? Would that be okay?"

He nodded as another moment overwhelmed him.  A sharp whimper that tried to be stifled came from him.  Automatically he caught it and cleaned himself.

Slowly, carefully, she let her hands reach forward to take his hard member carefully into her grip as her wet lips suckled at his throat.  She pushed her body against his body and began to rub her scent against his flustered skin at a sluggish pace.

"Do you... want to take my blood too?" He whispered, rolling his head away to allow her access.

She didn't answer him with words, instead, she let her fingers graze his hard on with gentle pushes and squeezes, as her nipples flatted against his back.  Her mouth blew gently against his throat, reaching up slowly to nibble at an ear, before she drew her lips back to his throat.

"Do you... want to take my blood too?  Kagome..."

She still didn't hear him, so intent on just on just pleasuring his body with the sensation of "touch," that she blew kisses along the curve of his back and down his shoulders blades.  His skin felt good as she continued to mimic the same motions along his manhood.  "What is it Inuyasha?"

"Why are you... doing this?  I thought I hurt you..."  Golden eyes stared at her in concern.

"You did... very much... But I still love you... I'm rather pathetic am I not?"  She licked at his throat a she shifted around his body to use her free hand on his chest.

"What if it means... we weren't meant to be mates... since I don't fit?"  His face screwed up into a sharp cry as he expelled again.  "Sorry... they are getting intense."

"You didn't pleasure my body first... you just took me... what do you expect?" She reached forward and gingerly took his nipple between her teeth.

Inuyasha gasped, feeling her teeth on a sensitive spot.  "Like... I know how to... do any of this..."  His arm wrapped around her warm body.  "If I had listened to instinct... I would have been in trouble a long time ago with you..."

Her fingers still caressed him, still moving so that he had some sort of pleasure that was connected to her, even though they were still technically apart.    "You think I know... I’m just doing what I hear by word of mouth... "  She licked at his nipple, swirling her tongue around it as she moved her lips up to his hungry mouth. 

"Do you... want me as your mate?" He managed between kisses.  "Kagome?"

"Yes... but I want us to share this... I don't want you overwhelming me so that I feel trapped.  I want us to share this... Can we share it?" 

He nodded.  "Take my blood... if you want to share me."

"How?" She looked worried, "I don't want to cut you."

His hand went to his neck and he scratched himself deep.  "I will heal... take it."

She slowly did as he suggested, her lips reaching up to cover his neck. 

A shiver passed through him at the sensation of her lips on his neck.  "Swallow... perhaps you'll... understand why I lost control."

She took a gulp, and blinked, her eyes dilated a bit, "I don't understand."

"I lost control after I took your blood..."  His breathing came heavier.  A chocked scream came from him as he again expelled.  "Kagome..."

"Inuyasha," She murmured, her body curving against his.  She wanted to take him, to feel him against her, but she didn't understand where the emotions were coming from.   Everything seemed more heightened.

"I'm nearing the end of my... I'm going dry."  His face rested on his shoulder.  "If you want me to hold back the last one... I think I can share it with you..."

She kissed his throat, her hands covering his body gripping him close to her, "I want to try..." She could barely get the words out, but somehow they found the way.

His arms pulled her closer, onto his lap, facing him.  "You sure?  What if we don't fit?"

"Then we died trying?"

"It's a good way to die..." Was his reply as he pulled her lower half closer.  "Can't think of a better way to die, actually."

She entwined her body with his, her hands pulling at waist as she pressed up against him.  "Yes... its a death isn't?"

"It feels like dying..."  He wanted to pull her closer, but he was afraid.  "You guide us this time."

She slid over his body, gently squeezing his tip against her opening, as she grinded agonizingly slow against him.  "Like this?"

Inuyasha nodded as he bit his lip.  "That's... that's good."

She whimpered against him, the feel of his body as he slid into her hot folds, made her dizzy.  It didn't seem to hurt much now.

Golden eyes stared intently at her face.  "Does it hurt?"  He felt helpless, watching the looks pass on her face.

She shook her head, "No, it feels different now..." Kagome lifted her face, staring right into his eyes, "Inuyasha..."

"What is it?"  He replied, still holding a bit of worry in his eyes.

She took his hands guiding them gently onto her breasts as she pushed against him.   Somehow she had pictured it differently, that they would both know what they were doing, but live and learn, "Kiss me..."

His lips took hers, hungrily.  He wanted to prove to her that he belonged to her... with her.  He always imagined their first mating to be outdoors... or even in her room.  Never had he imagined being in some house of a village elder.  His fingers played on her breasts.  He felt a bit like Miroku... but it felt good.

She ground against him, her heated movements fueled by a rhythm awoken solely by his blood.  Her sighs and moans spoke volumes as she laid over him, pushing him back so that she was over him. 

"Can you feel it... my blood?" He whispered, hoarsely, watching her rock above him.  "Is it driving you wild?"  His hands rested on her hips, to help guide her against him.  "Can you feel it?"

She nodded, staring down at him, almost with eyes as gold as his, "It's so powerful...its... making me... dizzy."

Giving a grunt in reply he concentrated on their connection.  He was very close in experiencing his last orgasm.  "Kagome... I'm losing it..."

"Inuyasha," she screamed, not caring who heard her, she pushed against him, her hands tensing on his arms, as she bent down and savages bit his exposed throat. 

Inuyasha gave his own cry, a bit strangled by Kagome's teeth on his throat, but that added to the experience.  For a moment he thought he was going to die as he emptied the last of his fluids into her.  A shivering sigh ran through his body and he nipped at her, trying to take blood too.

She shivered and trembled, as the flood of feelings exploded all through her body and she collapsed over his body.  "Inuyasha... god... that was... so... so..."  She hugged him as best she could with her tired arms.

"You... drained me, woman..." Inuyasha panted, lying limply beneath her.  "Next time we do that... let's find someplace safer..."

She nuzzled her chest with her nose and smiled at him, "Next time... maybe we should go to my bedroom."

"I'd feel safer there, at any rate..."  His arms wrapped around her.  "You going to use me as a bed tonight?" 

She grinned at him, showing teeth, "Oh yes I am... you going to make something out of it?"

"Won't you be cold?  Your back is exposed to the cold room..."  His gold eyes rested on hers, silently wondering why her eye color was a bit different.

"I have you arms to cover me and we can always pull a blanket over to cover us..."  She stared at him, looking at him with wonder, "What's wrong?"

"How do you feel?"

"Great, why?"

"Kagome...  your eyes are a different color."  He blinked at her, unsure how to explain it.

"Huh?" She was making soft circular patterns on his chest, as she laid draped over him.

"Your eyes... and they flashed gold when you bit my throat.  Are you sure you feel... normal?  No heightened senses?"  His hands wrapped around her, protectively.

"Probably just a flash of my eyes reflecting yours Inuyasha..." She yawned a bit and stretched out comfortably over his body. 

"Or we awakened my blood in you..."  His gaze fixed on the ceiling as his hand mindlessly groped for a blanket to cover her back.  "Well... this village certainly WILL have something to talk about.  This room is a mess..."

She didn't hear him, her eyes drooping closed with a fatigue unimaginable.   "Yeah..."

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