Chapter 1: The Return

Kagome's return brought the whole village out to welcome the young Miko back into their lives. When the fervor died down, the group settled in for dinner in Kaede's hut. They caught her up on all that she had missed in the three years that they were apart. Finally, Miroku decided that it was time to put their children to bed, giving Kagome and Inuyasha the opportunity to walk with them. Inuyasha gave Miroku a grateful look. He was grateful because after they had walked them to their home, it would give Kagome and him time to be alone. When the group reached their hut, they bid their friends goodnight. While Miroku and Sango put their children to bed in the sleep room, Kagome and Inuyasha walked in the direction of the Bone Eater's Well.

The two walked together in silence for a time, until they reached the clearing in which she so suddenly reappeared in.

"Alone," said Kagome as she sat on the edge of the well.

"Finally," Inuyasha said with a small smile on his face.

"The others mean well but today was a little much," she said with a sigh. Silence returned for a few more minutes while they tried to get up the courage to broach the subject that weighed heavily on their hearts.

"Inuyasha."

"Kagome." They both said at the same time, causing them to let out a stress relieving laugh.

"Kagome. While you were trapped in the darkness, I was inside the Shikon Jewel," said Inuyasha. Kagome gasped in surprise at the new information. "While I was there, the youkai within the Jewel told me that you existed in order to become part of the Jewel, but I knew they were wrong. I knew that you had been born to meet me; that we had been born to be with each other. I knew that one day we would be reunited and that when that time came, I would ask you to come live with me. Will you be my mate and wife, Kagome?" Kagome launched herself into his arms as she cried happy tears.

"Yes!" She shouted before he drew her into a gentle kiss that welcomed them home. When they pulled apart, Inuyasha picked her up, her arms wrapped around his neck, and he carried her further into the forest.

As they entered a clearing, Kagome saw a large hut. It wasn't as big as some of the main houses in the village compounds, but it was still on the largish side. Inuyasha carried her across the threshold and passed the main room. She saw that their were three bedrooms in all. He carried her into the largest room with a comfortable looking futon spread out and ready for bed. Inuyasha set her down and faced her. There were things he needed to explain before they went any further.

"Inu Youkai can claim a mate in two ways," he began. "The first way is a possession mark. It means that the youkai does not intend to be monogamous. The second is a true mating mark. It means that the youkai intends to be monogamous. The difference is that a true mating mark is placed when the mates are facing each other, while a possession mark is placed from behind." He took a deep breath before continuing, "A youkai parter can extend the lifespan of his or her human partner by bonding their auras. It's voluntary though. If the human partner doesn't want to extend their lifespan then they unconsciously stop the bonding. If that's something you wish to do then you have to tell me." He held his breath while he waited for her answer.

Kagome was stunned speechless by Inuyasha's ability to do such a thing and felt such love surging through her at his obvious desire to bind her to him in such a way. Finally, her voice returned. "I want to be with you forever, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha let out the breath that he was holding and pulled her into his embrace. "I want you to stay with me forever, too."

Inuyasha drew her into a tender and exploratory kiss. Soon the kiss turned passionate as they desperately removed each other's clothing. Inuyasha pulled away and swept her off her feet. He gently lay her down on the futon and quickly lay beside her. He was in awe of her beauty and her desire to be with him. He was also nervous because he had no prior experience and he knew from what Myoga had forced him to listen to that Kagome would be in pain their first time.

Kagome saw his emotions in his eyes. Usually, he kept his feelings hidden, even from being detected in his eyes. She understood the awe for what it was when you consider what little she knew of his early life. "I'm nervous, too."

"I don't want to hurt you," he whispered. She kissed him gently and pulled away. "It's only supposed to hurt the first time. For some women it doesn't hurt at all. Sometimes women are a little sore the next day. No matter what, I want to be with you, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha consciously let go of his worry. In order for Kagome to stay by his side for the rest of his life, they need to move forward.

He pulled her into a gentle kiss that turned passionate, reigniting the ardor that had cooled during his moment of nervousness. Being careful of his claws he started fondling her right breast. Hearing Kagome moan in pleasure, Inuyasha trailed his kisses down her neck. Kagome reached up to rub his right ear causing him to suckle her right breast with vigor and to fondle her left breast with passion. He switched breasts while being careful as he trailed his left hand down until he reached the apex of her thighs. Kagome parted her thighs as she panted in pleasure. Being careful he slid his finger through her juices and trailed it up until she cried out in pleasure. He knew then that he had found the spot that brought her the most pleasure.

Kagome felt her body shaking as she moaned and panted out her pleasure. She gripped the futon as she felt all of her muscles tighten in anticipation of her orgasm. Suddenly the pressure broke and she screamed his name to the heavens. "INUYASHA!"

Inuyasha watched a she writhed in pleasure as her release slowly left her body. She had screamed his name. Suddenly, he couldn't wait anymore. Kissing her hard, their tongues dueling for dominance, Inuyasha gently entered her while trying to keep her distracted with their kiss. It was difficult because from the moment he entered her the pleasure was almost too much. When he felt her maiden barrier, he paused before quickly thrusting through it to the hilt. Kagome let out a gasp of pain at the tearing of her hymen, but the pain was fleeting and replaced by the sensation of fullness.

Inuyasha waited for some sign that it was ok to move. Kagome wiggled her hips to let him know that it was okay to continue.

Inuyasha started thrusting slowly as he laced his fingers with hers. Kagome was lost in the sensations that were moving through her body. "Faster," she panted. Hearing her request, Inuyasha sped up his thrusts. Soon he was slamming into her. The pressure built in her stomach until it snapped and she came with an unintelligible shout. His youki raised and caused his eyes to bleed red. He looked like those times when he had transformed into a youkai. Kagome's reiki flared to life and the two began to dance. Inuyasha lunged forward and bit her right shoulder. When their auras stopped they were marked with each other's signature. Inuyasha licked the bite on Kagome's shoulder, his eyes their usual gold. Inuyasha rolled to the side so he wouldn't crush her with his weight.

Kagome snuggled into his chest. "I love you, Kagome," Inuyasha whispered into her ear while he wrapped her in his arms.

"I love you too, Inuyasha," said Kagome with a sleepy grin. When her breathing evened out, he knew she had fallen asleep. He pulled up the covers and covered the both of them. Finally he fell asleep himself.

Miroku would normally have noticed the dancing auras, but at the time he was taking advantage of sleeping children and a willing wife.

Kaede stopped washing the dishes when her reiki picked up the event. "Kaede-sama, is there something wrong?" asked Rin as she was helping Kaede put away the leftover herbs from that day.

"Nay, child. I believe it is good. We will know for sure in the morning," said Kaede with a smile on her aged face. Privately, Kaede was thinking that it hadn't taken long at all.