Before I die

Before You read anything...
THANK YOU SANOSLILREBELGURL! You are the absolute BEST beta reader! (She spell checked everything for me! ^_^) THANK YOU!!!!

How's that for a kudos?
Better?


Before I die

by:
Goijh

Disclaimer: I was an atheist until I realized....
I AM GOD!
Bwah ha ha ha ha!
*chokes on evil laughter*

Sorry everyone! I just think that that is a cute saying! Well here is the next chapter. I tried to squeeze in some Inuyasha/Kagome pointless fluff towards the end of the chapter...Tell me if I succeeded in the useless romance...

OKAY I ADMIT IT! I LOVE senseless fluff and I could not bear to just have them screw every time that they wanted to say I love you...*gets starry eyes and clasps hands in prayer position* I just thought that they should have some time to themselves that did not involve sex...Though if I were Kagome...hmmm...^_^
lol!

Well it doesn't matter what any of you think about me because as I said earlier. I AM GOD! And therefore I own not only Inuyasha, but everything else in this world!
Bwah ha ha!
Oh!
And I order you to REVIEW!


Reviewer Responses:
This is for chapters...9-10? I think that that's right. Oh well. If there's someone that I didn't respond too I'm sorry. I just haven't in a while so I'm not quite sure where I left off. Anyways: Here we go! ^_^

Tephra: Yes. Poor Kouga. ^_^ That'll be something for him to brag to his pack about later....

Lady Inuyasha711: Glad you like the story. The raping scene was in there just to make a point about Kouga not knowing what he was doing with the whole possessed thing. It also just helped to come into play later on. I didn't really like either...but for some reason or other I put it in there.

Leomae108: Don't worry! There won't be any pregnancy. Well maybe if I do an epilogue after all of this is finished...But for the story itself-No pregnancy. ^_~
As for your second review: DON'T go crazy! Please! Someone might blame me! lol! Just kidding. Its fun to be crazy! ^_^

Katana-kun: Umm...*nervous laughter* yeah...*sweatdrop.*
Not exactly sure on Naraku there, but with Kikyo's obsession with Inuyasha, I'm pretty sure that she's straight. Nope. Not Sessy-chan - but you already know that now! ^_^

Kae Noel: I'm glad you like it! Here's some more and there's even more after! Lots and lots more! YAY! ^_^ lol! Sry bout that. I just finished writing chapfourfourteen and am going to send it to my beta reader...Just a little excited right now...
As for your second review: You're back again! And you're STILL purring! lol! *blushes* marvelous and sweet huh? lol!
THIRD REVIEW: Thank you! *GASP* Oh no! You're not purring anymore! ;_;
lol! Well hopefully you like this chapter. Lots of pointless Fluff! lol!

Me: Yeah..nothing like a little yaoi. lol! Just kidding. Poor Kouga....and poor Miroku!

Kyoshiro: I don't mind if you repeat yourself. That does mean that you'll keep reviewing right? ^_^ Glad you like it! lol! *blushes* Its not really THAT good! Hopefully it'll get better though soon. Right now I'm working on filler chapters....*sigh*

Crazyinulover: Sorry that its making you late - BUT SO happy that its worth it! Wrapped fingers? What'd you do? Or...*lowers voice to whisper* Are you a...MUMMY!*dun dun dun*

Ryoko.Kilala: I would have LOVED to see Inuyasha's face when he heard Kouga was groped. Too bad he was elsewhere. But oh..can't you just picture it in your mind. lol! That would be funny. Unfortunately I don't know what else to do with Kouga so I'm locking him back up in my closet for a while...^_~
As for your second Review: I know! I'm sorry! I had no idea that the words were bunched like that. *hits head against wall* Bad Goijh! BAD! Anyways, I think that I fixed it ( I HOPE that I fixed it. And ALL FOR YOU! lol! ^_^

Teardrop4: But I love evil cliffies! I'm an evil author! *sniffs and pouts* Oh all right. Just for NOW anyways... Later...The evil cliffies might just return....

Angel-wings-131: I don't know about suspense in this story...But glad that you think so! ^_^ I tend to not believe in my work as much as other people. lol! Glad that you like it though!
As for your second review: I was kinda (okay very) embarressed writing my first lemon. lol! It was just weird cuz I had writer's block and I wasn't exactly sure who to ask for..er..help. lol! Second time though..no problem! (yeah..uh huh! o_O)
OMG! A THIRD review! You're really nice to me! lol! *gives you cookies* I love Inuyasha when he's having his sweet moments! I didn't think that it was fair for Kouga to get beaten up ..After all. It wasn't technically his fault in the first place. He didn't even know what had happened. AND he was losing any chance that he ever had to at least even be friends with Kagome. ;_; His woman was being carried away from him forever. And he would never even know that she forgave him....*tear* I thought he should at least go down with his limbs intact.

Karama-saappyappy you like it! Hopefully it will be going BETTER soon!

Legolas Chix: Next Chapter is already up (as you can tell! ^_^ ) And here's another one!

Inferna: Yes..Poor puppy. But whoever said that men were the ones in control of the relationships? Kagome has the power. lol!

Calidreamr: You read it all the way through?!? WOW....*sits awestruck for a few moments* This thing is like...what? 50.000 words almost? I am impressed..(and flattered!). Thank you so much! I will definately keep writing it!

Melisssa Byrd: Glad you think so! ^_^

Ladykaa28: Shippo with a secret..hmmm...lol! Not too long probably. I think he might just 'accidentally' blurt it out. ^_~ Voices in his head...Poor Inuyasha.
Second Review: Nope! Not the end. I think that I do want to pull Naraku into this. But I may kill Kikyo (that's ALWAYS fun! lol!) or do something else. Either way..Hopefully I decide to do it soon. I'm getting sick of writing fillers! lol!

Noa Kaiba: Grrrrr...! Do I recognize THAT name? WHAT DO YOU THINK?!? lol! ^_^ I will be stubborn. *strikes Inuyasha poze* Its in my nature...BTW: I think that I'll be back in school around October 9 or 10. Going to Boston on the 8 for follow-up. Four hours of sleep STILL isn't healthy. lol! But its better than...2.5 hours! lol! What? Cowboy Bebop and Trigun are back on! Just wait til you see the rings under my eyes! ^_^

Pita-ten: Okay! Hurrying to update! ^_^

Peachni: ni: Yay! Another person loves me enough to add me to their favorites! *hugs PeachesDani* Thank you!

Piper: Kouga's reaction is not quite what people were expecting I think. But maybe it was still kinda funny?

Ivanavitch611: Another person read my story all in one shot?!? *bows at your feet in awe* Wow! Let me just say...You can sit still A LOT longer than I can. I can't even read this all at once! (Though that may be because I wrote it. ^_~) I had no idea who I wanted to stalker to be at first. I though at one point that it would be Kikyo too. lol!

Art Kitten: Yay! Happy that you love it. Will definately keep it up! ^_^

ManekiKitsune: Lol! I know I'm mean. I get told so everyday! (Have 3 younger brothers who won't let me forget. lol!) But see...You reviewed cause you wanted more! Now I have another review! YAY! lol!

littlehobbit: I will definately keep updating. Though unfortunately the updates are seemingly getting farther and farther in between...But they keep coming! ^_^

QChronoD: Glad that you like it. ^_^ I will be adding more chapters. I can promise that this will AT LEAST have fifteen chapters. 99% chance says that it will go onto and beyond 20 though. I know! I'm awful at spelling. My spellcheck program is...I don't know...Dead
I suppose. It just doesn't work. ;_; But that's okay because now I have a WONDERFUL beta reader (Sanoslilrebelgurl on AFF.net) who even spell checks for me! YAY!

FINALLY! That took me almost 45 minutes to do! lol! By now people mustMOREMORE than ready to get on with the chapter (unless you're like me and you just skip the responses all together. lol!) So here you go!

BTW: The responses are 2 1/2 pages and 1236 words. lol! Its almost a chapter!

*********************************************************
Chapter Twelve
****************************
Kagome clung to Inuyasha's haori as he ran through the forest. He wasn't going his normal pace, but the trees were still blurs. Shippo was curled around her neck, worn out from trying to keep up with Kouga earlier.

'Kouga...'

Kagome leaned her head against her mate's hair, allowing the silver silk to caress her face in a soothing fashion as it rippled in the wind created by Inuyasha's speed. Drifting into a deep concentration, she thought back to what had happened only moments before.

***FLASHBACK***

When Kouga was twenty feet away he stood upright to leave. He bowed once to Inuyasha, and then turned to Kagome. Slowing the bow a little more, he dared to raise his eyes to
meet her own. For a brief second he met their eyes locked.

"I'm sorry Kagome..." hem mouthed, not daring to speak the simple words allowed.

Then he turned and ran.

But before he did Kagome caught a glance of something glistening in the setting sun's last rays. She inhaled sharply at the sight.

He had tears in his eyes.

***END OF FLASHBACK***

The great wolf prince had had tears in his eyes. Tears for her, and the pain that he had caused her. She knew that none of it was really his fault. He had after all been under Naraku's control. But up until this moment she had been split in half, one side of her wanting to forever blame her friend for his betrayal and actions, the other wanting to forgive him and go to him, explaining that it would be okay.

She knew now that the second side had won. She still wanted to let him know that she forgave him, but for some reason she had this feeling like she would never see him again. She had no idea as to the symbolic value behind the things that he had given to Inuyasha, only that they were a form of apology and promise.

Promise that he would never go near her again.

Kagome sighed and buried her face deeper into Inuyasha's hair, enjoying its texture and fragrance. He smelled so masculine and inviting! You would never have been able to guess he could be anything like that when you talked to him. She smiled as she moved her arms to embrace his neck. He had let her see his soft side though. Only her. The miko lay still for a while against Inuyasha's back. A terrible sss hss had welled up in her at the thought that she would never see Kouga again. Sure he could be a little annoying, spouting off claims of love and unending devotion left and right, but it had all been flattering too. It was nice to know that she had another friend who cared so deeply for her.

The smile had faded over the course of her thoughts, but it quickly returned when she felt Inuyasha's muscles flex at one particular bound. Kouga may be gone to her now, and she would never forget him. But now she had her mate.

She had Inuyasha.

**********************************

Mu anu and Sango stared out at the forest. They knew that they had no chance of catching up with Kouga and even if they did, he was long gone now. All they really could do was sit and wait. Both of them knew that Kagome, Shippo and Inuyasha would return soon. Kouga though...They weren't so sure about him. But it was best not to think like that.
Sango let out a heavy breath as she turned on her heel and began to walk towards a tree. Never letting loose her grip on her hiraikotsu, she sat down and leaned against the thick trunk. Deciding that, seeing as Miroku had only just awoken from his last beating, it was safe to lower her guard a little, she closed her eyes.

Miroku watched her warily, debating whether or not he should join her. As appealing as the idea was, he didn't want to be hit again. His head was still throbbing from the wolf's fist getting acquainted with his skull. Nope, no more pain today. This houshi was going to behave himself and for once admire the scenery instead of touching it.

Hiding the grin that threatened to rise when he though about what Sango's reaction would be, the monk lowered himself to the ground in a meditative position. Instead of meditating though, he just watched Sango, noting how beautiful she looked as she was, her gentle breathing, her relaxed posture, her luscious lips, her supple brea-

'WAIT!' yelled his conscience. 'You're supposed to be BEHAVING right now!'

Miroku rolled his eyes in exasperation. He was behaving! He was only looking...well admiring...Okay! So he had been literally undressing her with his eyes, but what she didn't no couldn't hurt her right? And he had been having SO much fun too...It was just getting to the good part.

Hearing his thoughts, that annoying little voice in the back of his head began to berate him, yelling and whining for all it was worth. The monk couldn't stand it anymore. He was so caught up in annoyance though that he didn't realize what he was doing until it was too late.

"Ahem!" a feminine voice cleared its throat loudly, hoping to get the houshi’s attention. The monk had been sitting there with his eyes tightly shut, swiping at the air violently with his arms. If that wt dit disturbing enough, it sounded like he was arguing with something in his head. He was yelling for someone to shut up and leave him alone, promising that he would be a "Good little Miroku," now. It was really starting to creep the Tajiya out.

She continued to clear her throat in unsuccessful attempts of snapping the man out of his stupor. Instead it only seemed like she encouraged it. Sighing audibly, Sango stood up and walked over to him. She really hated to hit him unless he had done someg peg perverted or deserved it, but this was the only way that she could think of to stop him.
Miroku heard the footsteps approaching him, but paid them no further heed, he was NOT going to lose in this pointless argument. Suddenly the heard a whirring sound of wind being forced out of the way which always proceeded...

WHACK!

The monk slumped to the ground, darkness taking hold of him, but he was not going to pass out before he had one last word in.

'See! I get hit even when I behave!' he shouted in his mind.

'You're right...' said his conscience with an apologetic shrug. 'If you're going to get hit you might as well get something out of it. Next time- grope away!'

Miroku smirked as his eyes closed, his last image being Sango's sandaled feet
'
'Damn Straight I will...'

********************************

Shippo sighed contentedly and nuzzled himself further into his mother's neck. He was SO happy to have Kagome back and okay. If things were left up to him, Inua woa would stop right now and let him be alone with his okaasan so that he could cuddle with her all day and not have a care in the world.

Of course he knew that would never happen for various reasons. The first being that Inuyasha never listened to him and would NEVER leave Kagome and the kitsune alone. Not now that Kagome was his mate and Shippo was his pup. The second, among many others, was fairly obvious to any youkai with a nose. Their scents were deeply intermingled along with a muskier one. Shippo wasn't sure what it meant, but he knew that it had to do with that adult stuff his parents would always say he was too young to know about.

For some reason or another, maybe it was thinking about his parents, Shippo remembered something that he thought his mother would be particularly interested in finding out. He lifted his little head to speak to her when he noticed her breathing was deep and even. He didn't know how he had missed it but he had. Kagome had fallen asleep with her head buried in Inuyasha's silver mane, using it as a pillow.

Shippo suppressed the urge to giggle, knowing that it would most likely wake up the sleeping ningen and this annoy the hanyou to no end. Instead he voted to join his surrogate mother and dreamland. Curling his tail closer to his body and wiggling a little so that he was firmly snuggled between the crook of Kagome's neck and her shoulder, the kitsune closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Inuyasha immediately sensed the change in his adopted pup's heartbeat and breathing. Knowing that no one could see him now, he smiled gently. For the first time in his long miserable and cursed life, he was genuinely happy. He allowed himself a quiet, content purr before he forced the smile back into the confines of his heart and bounded out of the forest, towards the awaiting figures.

***********************************

Sango's demon senses began to whir as she finished leaning the insensible monk against the tree that she had previously been laying upon. She gripped her boomerang, ready to fling it at the approaching threat and spun around.

She exhaled softly in a sigh of relief when she saw who it was. Inuyasha had just come out of his forest with Kagome and Shippo on his back. Kouga was no where to be seen. Despite what she knew he had done to her little oneesan, she couldn't help but hope that the wolf was okay. His forced actions were just one more reason to urge her forward in the already set mission of bringing about Naraku's destruction.

Forcing all of her unpleasant thoughts out of her head, she dropped her hand from hiraikotsu and lifted it to instead wave happily at her nearing friends. She was extremely curious as to where Inuyasha and Kagome had been all day. She smiled a little over cheerfully as she positioned herself slightly in front of Miroku as if her smaller body could hide his limp form from her friends. She needn't have worried though, because as they came closer she realized that both Kagome and Shippo were sound asleep on the hanyou's back.

Inuyasha eyed her suspiciously, his gaze dropping to Miroku who had a little trail of drool pooling from his mouth, and then returning to Sango who only shrugged and tried her best to appear nonchalant. He returned her shrug with a smirk and then proceeded to walk past her, continuing on his way to the village.

Sango watched him walk away, wondering why he was being so nice to Kagome and Shippo all of a sudden but shrugged it off. He was probably just relieved that Kagome was okay and was trying to be nicer to her for right now to make up for that fact that he hadn't been able to protect her that day. Having nothing better to do, the demon exterminator called Kirara, and, after hoisting the monk's unconscious form onto the fire cat's back, hopped on her friend, setting off in pursuit of the inu.

************************************

Kagome's eyes fluttered open. They were meet with a wooden walls, shadows flickering eerily across them in the dim candlelight. Her first thoughts told her that she was in Kaede's hut. Then they told her that she was alone.

The miko stretched in a cat-like manner and she rolled over to face the doorway. One small candle sat on the ground about five feet away from her, almost completely melted, showing that it had been there for quite a while now. The doorway itself was covered with a thick blanket, giving the girl some privacy. Like she thought, she was alone in the hut.

Kagome quietly stood and walked outside. The stars shone brightly in the sky as if to wish her a good evening. The girl couldn't help but smile back at them. One of the things that she loved most about the feudal era was the starry sky. In her time there were so many lights in the cities that you needed to travel for hours before you would be able to see any actual constellations. Even then you couldn’t make nearly as many stars as you could here, in the untainted past.

"Good evening Kagome-sama!" a deep, sensual voice called out to the girl, breaking her from her star-gazing trance. Turning slowly Kagome saw the source of the voice, Miroku, coming towards her with Sango and Shippo. Searching quickly and discreetly, she felt her heart fall a little to find that Inuyasha was not among them. She knew better than to expect it though. After all they had agreed to keep their new relationship on the down low.

Kagome smiled at them and waved, though she was sure that they only saw her hand in the darkness. Shippo jumped from Sango's shoulder where he had been perched and immediately raced over to his mother, leaping and settling into her arms. Miroku looked like he would gladly have tried the same thing, but one fleeting glance at the giant weapon on the shoulder of the woman next to him kept him at bay. He was beginning to have a bit of trouble recalling some events of his childhood and suspected that his boomerang acquaintance had something to do with that.

Sango smiled and lightly embraced the younger girl. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she pulled away to watch Kagome'prespression. Kagome returned the smile and assured the demon exterminator that she was definitely well rested. 'Though I am a little sore from some certain activities..' she mumbled in her mind with a silly grin. The grin never made it to her face though because the next thing that she knew Miroku's hand was sliding down over her hip to her butt.

Before Sango could even begin to hoist hiraikotsu to give the hentai a severe beating, Inuyasha appeared from virtually no where and slammed the monk against the side of Kaede's hut, growling maliciously. "Well hello Inuyasha!" chirped the monk cheerfully, albeit a bit nervously. He was greeted with more growls.

"Do. NOT. Touch. M-...Kagome!" He snarled, catching himself, though a bit late, before he blurted out, "My Kagome." Miroku raised a brow, questioning what the hanyou had almost said, but when the inu began to growl ferally once again, Miroku feverishly nodded and held up his hands in mock surrender.

Inuyasha grunted with satisfaction at the other man's response and allowed him to fall to the ground none too gracefully. Then he walked over closer to Sango, knowing that if he went to Kagome he would pull her possessively into his embrace and blow the whole secret. He was going to tell his friends, he just wanted to wait. This was his first time ever having something like this to treasure and it excited him to know that he and his mate shared a secret. Even if his pup knew as well.

Miroku rose quickly too his feet, trying to remain dignified but failing miserably. His robes were all awry and his hair was falling lose. Not too mention his back was so sore that he hunched a little. 'Note to self,' he thought, 'Don't cross Inuyasha in the future.'

Inuyasha looked at the pitiful creature and Feh'd as if he had read his mind.

Kagome and Sango had watched to exchange between the two males and met each others gaze. In unison they rolled their eyes and then broke out giggling. The dog demon and monk turned to look at them, slightly confused, but the girls offered no answer save for another round of giggles.

Inuyasha felt the small tug at his heart when he saw Kagome laughing. He wanted to scoop her up right then and there and cradle her to his chest. Damn! Keeping this secret was harder than he thought it would be. It would take A LOT more control than he had originally assumed. Oh well. Good thing he had such a strong will.

The laughter subsided, the only signs that it had ever been there were Shippo's confused expression and a twinkle of mirth in both of the girl's eyes. Inuyasha turned his head away and struck his trademark pose. Miroku on the other hand had finally straightened himself out and was back to himself, as Sango would soon find out.

WHACK!

The monk fell back to the ground. Obviously he had decided that he had suffered so much pain that day, a little more couldn't hurt. Besides, his conscience had already packed its bags and left for a week long vacation. Poor Sango. The demon exterminator had no idea what would be in store for her.

******************************

Shippo yawned dramatically. It was time for the everyone to ignore the monk now pay attention to him. He was after all the unbelievably kawaii Shippo. Just as he had hoped, Kagome looked down at the kitsune in her embrace, gentle concern featured in her expression.

Seeing her smiled, Shippo remembered what he had wanted to remind her of earlier. Knowing the she would be proud of him for remembering, he left her embrace and scuttled up to her shoulder.

"Kagome-okaasan?" he asked.

"Hmmm? Shippo?" she asked. She sounded a little distracted, as if her attention was elsewhere. Shippo looked at her curiously, just in time to see her break her stare away from somewhere else and place her full attention on him. Wondering where she had been staring he continued.

"Don't you have to go back to your era for your tests?" He questioned, smiling smugly at the fact that he had been able to remind her of something so important. For a moment Kagome looked at him in complete confusion.

"Tests?" she repeated, puzzled that he would ask her about something like that. After all she didn't have any this week that she knew of...'OH!' Suddenly she remembered telling them all that she would need to go back to her time...DAYS AGO!

"Oh yeah! My tests! I almost forgot!" She said laughing nervously, trying to avoid the curious glances her friends were giving her. Shippo just sighed and rolled his eyes. Then taking an Inuyasha like stance her stood, trying his best to appear looming while he was on her shoulder.

"Kagome-okaasan! How could you forget your tests?" he demanded, a little chidingly. Kagome began to rack her brain for another lie. Thank Kami she was an awful liar! Fortunately she didn't have to because seconds later Shippo broke out giggling. Tapping her on the head lightly he teased her about hitting it a little hard. Kagome played along unconvincingly, though she had the feeling that all of her older friends had known the whole time anyways.

"Hey Shippo, how about you go to sleep now?" Kagome said soothingly to the kitsune as he tried to stifle a monstrous yawn. The kit was about to argue when very much against his will, the yawn overcame him. It was enough evidenf hif his exhaustion to make Kagome chuckle softly and pull him into her arms. Motioning to the others that she would be back in a moment, the miko went to Kaede's hut and tucked Shippo in.
Sango watched her go. Now was her chance to ask Inuyasha where they had been.

"Oh, Inuyasha?" she called out to the hanyou's form that was trying to walk discreetly away. Pausing before her rep, th, the demon turned around and faced her, a hint of bewilderment playing across his features. What did she want with him?

"Yah?" he finally responded.

"Where were you today? With Kagome?" she asked, unaware of the blush that started to cover Inuyasha's face. Whirling quickly so that no one would see it, the hanyou gave one of his classic Feh's.

"Its none of your business." He stated stubbornly, keeping his back turned to thHe kHe knew that it sounded a little harsh, after all the Tajiya was only curious, but he was a little pissed off. 'That little pup just had to remind her that she had wanted to go home!' he thought heatedly. He wasn't actually angry with Shippo (curiously enough, ever since he had adopted the fox as his own, he hadn't been as irritated by his presence as he had used to be.). He was just hurt by the fact that Kagome always wanted to go back to her time, leaving him behind.

Ignoring the questioning stares that he felt on his back, he strode quickly off. Anyone who knew him would know that he was going to the Goshiboku tree. That was where he always went to think.

********************************

Kagome returned a few moments after Inuyasha had left. Noting his absence she glance inquisitively at the demon exterminator, who was currently backed against a tree staring at something. The miko followed her friends deadly glare to the stirring form of the monk. Hiding a laugh she walked over to Sango. 'That would explain the whole backed into a tree thing,' she thought cheerfully.

Sango lifted her eyes from Miroku and smiled at Kagome.

"Inuyasha went off into the forest." she said, answering the unspoken question. The younger nodded her thanks, but instead of chasing the dog demon, opted to wait with Sango for Miroku's revival.

The miko was a little impatient and insisted upon shifting her weight as the unfortunate monk moaned and began to stir a little more. She had a pretty good idea of why Inuyasha had taken off on her and she felt a little guilty. Kagome knew that as his mate and friend she should go after him, but from some reason she was resenting it. Almost as if pursuing him would force her to face some awful truth that she just wasn't ready for yet.

Luckily they didn't have to wait long. Once the moans began to increase in volume, it was only a matter of moments before Miroku opened his eyes and rubbed his head. Wincing as he tried to stand he found himself wishing forlornly that for once his beautiful Sango would allow him to grope her and admire her beauty without reacting in such a violent manner. Part of him wouldn't have it any other way though. He admired her inner fire and ferocity.

Sighing pensively he looked over and saw the two young woman standing quite near him. Just as he was beginning to smile in anticipation though, he noticed the solid wooden barrier between him and his hand's destination. Mentally cursing his misfortune he wavered slightly on his feet, but went to stand next to them.

No one said a word.

Sango found herself wondering, once again where Inuyasha and Kagome had been all day. She was sure that her younger friend would tell her once they were alone later, but the curiosity was killing her now. She only hoped that all would be revealed soon.

Miroku was admiring Sango's beauty out of the corner of his eye. The just rising stars accented her delicate features perfectly. Kagome didn't look half bad either...'NO!' his annoying little conscience yelled, obviously it had decided to cut short the non relaxing break and come back at this most inopportune moment to harass its charge. 'You're only suppose be be thinking of Sango.' Miroku sighed heavily, yet inaudibly, but returned his attention to focus solely on the woman closest to him. 'Stupid old fashioned voice never heard of multiple partners...' he muttered in his head. The voice, wisely and maturely, chose not to comment.

Kagome was blissfully unaware to any discomfort that her companions might be feeling.
Her thoughts instead were completely centered around a certain half demon. She knew that it was around time for her to be going to him anyways. She had been in the Feudal era for about a week and a half. But still...for some reason she couldn't bring herself to consider parting with Inuyasha...Maybe it was this whole being his mate thing now.

Making a mental note to ask him about it later, Kagome turned to her friends, putting on her brightest smile. "Well.." she began as she rocked back and forth on her heels trying to think of the best way to phrase what she was about to say without giving away what had recently transpired between her and Inuyasha. Carrying this secret was just making it seem like everything she said was making it obvious!

Both her friends just looked at her face and chuckled.

"Don't worry about it Kagome-sama. I am most sure that Lady Sango will be able to escort me to the village without fear of losing her way." Said Miroku as his hand attempted to overcome the barrier and give a little squeeze.

Sidestepping efulefully, Sango avoided his poorly concealed attempt, causing the monk to fall over. "Keep you distance houshi-sama, or you shall find yourself alone on your journey back to the village." She told him, though not as harshly as usual. Then turning to Kagome, the exterminator only nodded her approval before dragging Miroku to his feet.
Grabbing both of his hands so that he would not be able to touch her, Sango began to lead him to the village. "Oh my lovely Sango!" he exclaimed in euphoria, relishing in her voluntary touch, "That you should hold this humble monk's hands and lead him to your hut! I am almost at a loss for words!"

Sango immediately responded with a not so gentle whack on his head, though it wasn't hard enough to knock him back out. "The day that you are at a loss for words monk, is the day that you shall find yourself lacking in concussions!"

To this Miroku decided to say nothing. Maybe if he didn't respond she wouldn't hit him as she had just suggested. His hands were another story though. Their, 'Sango's booty near' radar was going off the walls. It was just too tempting.

Swaying with her movements.

Clothes hugging in just the right places.

Heavenly curves...

WHACK!

**********************************

Kagome laughed softly as she watched Kiarara transform in order to tote Miroku's body back to Kaede's hut. He and Sango (he being MIROKU - not Kiarara...though Kiarara is a girl...right?) were so obviously crushing on each other. The young priestess sighed. She only hoped that they would confess before it was too late.

Thinking of love quickly reverted her mind to its original course.

'Inuyasha..'

Kagome hurried off towards Inuyasha's forest, knowing exactly where he would be.

***********************************

"Feh!"

Inuyasha snorted loudly and rolled over to lay on his side. He was up in his favorite branch of the God Tree. Originally he had left, wanting time alone to think. Usually by now someone, namely Kagome, would have come out by now to plead with him to come back. Why wasn't anyone here yet. He no longer wished to be left alone. He wanted someone to come and get him.

Then he would argue.

Kagome would sit him.

She would drag him back.

It was their normal cycle. He couldn't just go back on his own. Stubbornness and pride eliminated that option. But what if Kagome had already left to go back to her time? No...She hadn't. He could still smell her scent and she would have told him anyways...Wouldn't she have?

"Feh!"

He loved that word. It just fit anywhere. Completely noncommittal, it gave away nothing. Unfortunately 'nothing' wasn't what he wanted tonight. He wanted answers to the annoying questions that were plaguing him. It was driving him so crazy in fact that he was almost ready to leave on his own and go fetch Kagome so that he could talk to her.

But then he caught her scent.

'Its about time!' He thought grumpily as he slumped back against the trunk of the tree and waited. Putting on his best 'I'm irritated. GO AWAY' mask he turned his head away so that Kagome would really know that he was upset with her for making him wait so long.

"Inuyasha?" her voice called out to him smooth and gentle.

"Feh. What do you want wench?" He growled.

There was no answer.

'Shit! I shouldn't have done that! I know that she hates being called that, but she can't really expect me to just stop all together. Its habitesidesides if no one is going to suspect anything than she might as well get used to it.'

There was still no answer from below him though he could tell that she was still there.
Sighing heavily, he made a major step for mankind and overcame his pride. Hopping gracefully from the tree, he landed behind her without making a sound. Kagome knew that he was there though and turned to face him. Her face showed a little aggravation, and a little sadness. Not his favorite mix.

"Can you please not call me that?" was all she said after a moment of silence had lapsed. Inuyasha looked at the pleading in her eyes and couldn't take it anymore. He wanted to hold her.

‘Humph’ing indignantly he pulled her into his arms and jumped back into the tree.

Holding her tightly to his chest he absently stroked her hair as he lost himself in her individual scent. She was Kagome. His Kagome. His mate.

"Sorry.." he mumbled so that she could barely here him. "Just habit."

Kagome smirked against his haori, snuggling closer to him, reveling in his warmth.

"S'okay. I understand." She whispered as she closed her eyes.

Inuyasha laid his head on hers. He couldn't believe this. He was being a complete sap! And enjoying it! Time to add some masculinity to the conversation. (sorry if this offending anyone. I'm just trying to show that Inuyasha loves Kagome a lot but is having a little trouble veering away from his bad-ass attitude.)

"I'm still calling you bitch though."

Kagome tensed a little and pulled away so that she could look up at him. Confusion and growing anger were clearly visible in her sapphire-gray orbs.

Inuyasha smirked. "I'm a dog demon. You're MY bitch."

Kagome raised an eyebrow, but didn't press the matter any farther. She leaned once again into his warmth before suddenly pulling away to meet his eyes one more time. "But Inuyasha, you've always called me bitch..." Suddenly realization spread across her features and she smiled brightly.

Inuyasha understood immediately that he had just given himself away. His cheeks burned in embarrassment at revealing something like that.

"Feh!" He said and turned his head away.

Kagome's smile only grew more as she brought one of her hands up to his cheek. Gently she urged him to turn his face back to hers. Leaning forward she pressed her lips to his, allowing them to linger a moment before she pulled away.

"I love you too Inuyasha."

He was almost tempted to use his typical response and ruin the moment. But feeling her caring gaze upon him he decided that he would rather it last, and once again pulled her to his chest.

They sighed simultaneously, causing the other to smile.

Unfortunately all perfect moments have to end eventually, and this was no exception. Kagome had to talk to him. Inuyasha could feel her tense up again and sensed her uncertainty.

"What is it Kagome?" He asked her as he resumed stroking her hair.

Not feeling like pulling away just yet, Kagome turned her head so that she could speak without muffling her voice in his haori.

"Inuyasha?" Best make this blunt. She thought as she bit her lip. "What are we going to do about the whole separate time thing?" The miko tried to pull away so that she could see his response in his eyes, but the hanyou wouldn't let her.

"I'm not sure Kagome." He said with all honestly. "But we'll figure it out."

Kagome smiled and wrapped her arms around him. She placed one more chaste kiss upon his lips before snuggling into him to get more comfortable. Closing her eyes she rested her head just above his heart, listening to the steady beat.

"G'night Inuyasha."

Inuyasha smirked.

"Feh, whatever bitch." Kagome's back shook a little with a silent laugh.

"But I'm you're bitch."

"Damn straight."

After a few moments passed in silence, the young priestesses breathing evened out. Inuyasha leaned his head down on hers once again, closing his eyes.

"I love you Kagome..." he whispered thinking she was asleep.

"I love you too..."

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There! If you are reading this than you have read my sappy end to this chapter. I think that I have kind of jumped around a lot this chapter...I'm not really sure. Too lazy to go back and read it again. ^.^
Anyways...Now its your turn to type something...REVIEW! PLEASE!
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Pages: 17