Summary: Kagome had always imagined him, Lord Inuyasha Takahashi and his quiet strength and dashing good looks. She wondered what it would be like to be wrapped up in his muscular arms sharing things she could never speak of. All women he came across were all like this except one, the quiet beauty that he came across sometimes while riding. Why did she look so relieved to be in her own world? Did she also suffer from agonizing social constructs and pressures of a family?

Author's note: This is a mature story with mature themes such as language, sexual situations (lemons), and violence.

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Last Time:

In desperate attempts to stop his horse he tried pulling at the reigns and though it bit hard it only spurred him on faster.

That's when he saw his lake goddess. Not sure if she was real or not he knew he must warn her away from his horse heading straight toward her.

"Hurry and move! I can't stop him! Move before it's too late!"

Nothing slowed the horse until it had come to a complete stop in front of the mare tossing him into the female rider and into the lake water below them.

When their bodies collided a strange heat passed between them. Inuyasha's musing of whether she was real was quickly put to rest.

Chapter 2

Kagome sank to the bottom unable to move. The sheer force of him knocked the wind out of her despite him taking most of the fall into the water. Inuyasha had already surfaced the lake but did not see her pop up too. He dove into the frigid waters and saw her floating beneath the water flailing about, her gown seemed to be caught between two rocks embedded in the ground beneath the water.

He swam to her, ripped the hem off of the torturing gown, and pulled her up to the surface of the water. Her body was limp and turning a slight shade of blue while he swam them to the shore of the lake. Inuyasha wasting no time began to press on her chest and blow air into her mouth hoping she would take the air he gave her. Fearing the worst was to happen and he would have to explain to her family the situation. Finally she started to cough up water and sputtered for air.

"Can you hear me? Wench! Can you understand me?" he asked trying to put his face in her vision while her eyes fluttered open slowly. "What's your name?" he asked fervently trying to decipher where he could take her poor helpless body should she not make it.

Kagome felt like she was in haze. A gruff voice had called out to her. Asking her things she didn't understand. Everything sounded fuzzy but soon it was becoming clearer. Her head ached and her body sore from the fall. The migraine began to pierce her senses right behind her eyes.

"Stop yelling it hurts when you yell" she said finally speaking. As she turned and coughed up the remaining water in her lungs he held her by her hair gently stroking it in apology for yelling.

"What's your name?" he softly demanded as he gradually lifted her up to a seated position. Their horses were drinking by the lake happily unaware of the wet couple.

"Higurashi. Kagome, my name is KA GO ME" she poked him in the chest with each syllable. Kagome stood up swiftly and smoothed her dress around her legs as it clung like a second skin to her body showing him her delicious curves and nipples hard as pebbles through the soft material. Inuyasha stood up as well shifting his trousers to accommodate his growing member that strained against him.

"Why did you ride straight towards me?" Kagome alleged, biting her lip as she shivered from the breeze.

Inuyasha quickly took command of the situation by rubbing his hands up and down her arms to create warmth in her body against the cool morning air. "Why did you not move when I called to you!" he barked at her.

His touch on her arm made her skin tingle with deliberate sensations that made her quake deep in her loins but she would not back down from this fight.

"Me! What about you? Huh? I mean why charge directly at me and then be surprised you ran into me?" her teeth lightly pressing on her bottom lip as she turned more into his touch.

So my siren is feisty he mused. It was not often he found a girl so full of fire and passion in this village, it may be easier than he thought to persuade her to his bed he had decided.

How I wish I was biting on that lip. He inhaled a breath of sweetness and realized it was like she was dripping with sweet honey but more importantly she was pure. Pure meant danger. Pure led to innocence and misunderstanding of sexual wants. He released his hands off her body immediately.

"Feh. What do I care as long as you did not die you are fine. Why don't you run home to your mother and father now Miss and stay away from this lake." He huffed as he remounted his horse and rode back off into the tree line.

Kagome stood in the clearing flabbergasted unable to process logically his reaction. One minute this gorgeous man was practically holding her in his arms and the next she is thrust away like a leper.

Of course he let you go look at you. You are nothing compared to the women he could surround himself with. Stop trying to live the fantasy you know is not possible she scolded herself.

She pet Kirara on the nose and lifted herself into the saddle and began the long ride back home.

Later in the evening Inuyasha found himself pacing in the drawing room of Miroku's small manor. His Uncle Mushin moving slowly from the doorway to lead him to the living area to wait with him while Miroku tended to the horses and Sango helped their housekeeper in the kitchen.

He could not get his mind off that fiery strong-willed girl from the lake this morning. Her face as she poked his chest annunciating every delicious syllable of her name burned into his brain and he wondered what those lips would look like after being drawn into a heated kiss or to nibble the lip she tortured this morning.

Another distraction was needed to quell his thoughts so he visited his friend to discuss the invitation to his brother's impending doom. Or marriage as some may call it.

Uncle Mushin was not looking well Inuyasha had noticed. His hands shook almost constantly and his eyes seemed to be more dull than normal. Maybe he was bored as well with this society life. Maybe he wanted to be free and explore the world. As grateful as he was to Miroku for supporting him in his age maybe he would be happier poor and free from society living on the land.

Finally his friend had joined him. Miroku ran his hand through his long hair and pulled into a ponytail as he made his way to the mini table with the bottles of amber liquor and crystal glasses.

"Would you like a drink old friend?" Miroku asked him knowing that his friend could use one after the invite he had received in the mail assuring him a visit from his oldest friend sometime in this evening.

"Yes I think I should need one after the frustrating day I have had." Inuyasha mused about the girl whose touch on his arm had completely undone his mood and shook his head of the memory.

"So I assume you have heard of his nuptials" Miroku sat in the red arm chair across from the gentleman and his Uncle left the room to retire away from the rowdy men.

Inuyasha nearly spit out his drink in exasperation.

"Yes I did. I will not be attending" Inuyasha set down his drink readying for his friend's attack on his personal habits and family values.

"Ok" Miroku said smiling knowingly.

Inuyasha stared at his friend whose posture was confident but not aggressive. Seemingly comfortable in the situation as though he expected a child's tantrum. Sesshomaru's wedding to a human is a little unsettling. That he could finally forgive humans but not his own brother must be eating at him Miroku pondered.

Once again sipping from his brandy glass and crossing his legs uncomfortably. "What do you mean ok?"

"I mean that if you don't want to attend I will not force you. It is your family this woman is entering and I only think that you should be there to witness it for yourself, but if you don't go then that's fine too" Miroku replied.

"You are damn right it is fine. I will do what I please and I do not need your condescension" Inuyasha declared standing and crossing the room to the beverage table again hastily filling his glass with more brandy.

"Something tells me this is more than about your brother's wedding"

"Half-brother's" Inuyasha rudely interjected as he took a long swig from his brandy glass letting the alcohol burn his throat and warm his body.

Miroku nodded in respect, "Forgive me, half-brother's wedding."

Inuyasha set his glass on the table and cracked his knuckles against his thigh trying to forget the image of her perfect bosom framing against the cold wet cloth of her dress. Her tantalizing smiles while her hair was free from pins lying in the sun. I could wake up to that smile everyday…

"I do not want to be married" he said quietly.

Miroku was taken aback by the sudden change in conversation. Since when was marriage an issue for him… he wondered.

"Why? What is so wrong with finding someone who makes you happy?"

"I do not want to wish to be forced into a marriage proposal. I shall never be imprisoned against my will to another" Inuyasha looked away from his friend's judging gaze. "It's just that I wouldn't want to be forced into a match that does not work. I like my life the way it is and I don't want to be shackled to any wench". It doesn't matter if I want her…. I will not ruin an innocent woman.

"You know I never expected to marry anyone Inuyasha. I never thought I would feel this way about a woman. Especially with my lifestyle of barmaids and tavern girls but I found someone who excited me every second who I couldn't get my mind off of. Now I am happier than I have ever been. I only wish you had the same joy." Miroku confessed honestly gazing in the direction of the grand kitchen where his beautiful wife was playfully giggling with their pregnant housekeeper Rin.

Miroku understood his aversion to marriage and why Inuyasha never laid with an innocent woman after Kikyo ripped out the rest of his heart. His heritage has brought undue prejudice and he is afraid he will not find anyone willing to accept him for his demon side.

Suddenly a knock at the door had Sango yelling in the house "I'll get it! I'll get it!"

The brunette raced across the house and flung open the front door and pulled another girl into a hug. Inuyasha peered around Sango and realized it was Kagome. His heart started beating a million miles a minute but his face held a sincere interest in the guest apparently joining them for the evening.

The two women walked arm in arm into the formal living room with the gentleman. His mind in a trance as she swayed her hips gracefully while walking in step with her sister, as she passed his chair Inuyasha let out a long breath he had not realized he had been holding. Miroku gave him an inquisitive look.

"Look who decided to join us for supper!" Sango exclaimed giving her sister's hand a squeeze before sitting on the couch with her husband.

"Ah yes, it is good to see you Miss Kagome please take a seat. Dinner should be ready soon". Miroku ignoring his friend's odd behavior, "Do you know my friend Lord Takahashi?"

Inuyasha swallowed his brandy hard in his throat to feel the bite at the end of his sip and gathered up all his charm and offered her a dazzling smile.

He sauntered over to Kagome relishing the uncomfortable gaze received when he took her hand gently. Heat flowed from their finger tips and he could hear her pulse racing. "It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Higurashi."

"The pleasure is mine Lord Takahashi," Kagome smiled demurely at him as he took a seat in the chair across from her.

All the delicious smells were welcoming after such a long day. Kagome rubbed the back of her neck that was slightly sore from the fall that morning. Sango's housekeeper Rin had prepared a mini feast and the food placed beautifully on the table.

She had made all of her favorites tonight in exchange for some of the honey cream that soothed her many aches during her pregnancy.

Everyone passed the dishes around and spread butter on the warm French loaves. Rin spooned large quantities of Shepard's pie onto each individual plate and winked at Kagome when she added an extra scoop.

Inuyasha started his usual unmannerly shoveling of food into his mouth and scarfing. Miroku laughed at a joke Sango told him. The happiness brightly shown on her sister's face and a clamor of jealousy resonated deep within her. A longing she shook off and remembered her work helping people and the fulfillment it brought her.

The man sitting across from her seemed so unpolished and so much less regal than she always pictured him normally in her fantasies. In a way he seemed more real to her now, charming and unkempt. He looked up at her mouth full of food and straightened his posture and carefully cleaned some gravy from the corner of his mouth with his napkin.

What I wouldn't give to be kissing that corner of his mouth. Or any part of his mouth really.

She shook her head slightly as if to shake off the feelings of lust directed at the handsome man whose golden eyes seemed to be calculating her every move.

Kagome swirled the fork and tasted the hot gravy potatoes flavors dancing across her tongue. An involuntarily moan escaped her. The food was so sinfully delicious she hardly took notice of her pleasure filled noise until she opened her eyes to reveal Lord Takahashi's frenzied gaze.

Inuyasha couldn't stop his ears from ringing with the sounds of her moans of satisfaction. He pictured her sprawled in the grass, moans like a chorus in the air while his mouth devoured her body and bringing her close enough to the brink of pure ecstasy when the sound of Rin asking if he cared for another helping interrupted his train of thought. Politely declining he turned his attention to the innocent vixen seated across from him.

"Do you always moo like a calf while eating your meal?" he teased her relishing her adorable angry pout.

Immediately she sat up a little straighter embarrassed by her lack of manners but equally annoyed at his attitude. Who does he think he is?

"Do you always look like you are shoveling your food during your meal Lord Takahashi?" she countered ignoring her sisters obviously annoyed stare.

Miroku sought to ease the growing tension between the two quarrelers caught in a staring match. "I am just glad to see you both enjoy the meal so much" he added hoping to break the ice.

Kagome shook her head away from Inuyasha and focused on more pleasant conversation.

"I am just so glad that Rin made all of my favorites tonight in exchange for the honey cream" Kagome added taking another bite of the scrumptious pie.

"How is the cream formulating my dear Kagome?" Miroku asked her receiving a hard hit in the arm from his wife.

"Wonderful actually thanks for asking Miroku." Kagome brightened that someone was finally taking interest in her work besides her younger brother, earning her a pointed stare from her sister. So much for family support. When will she ever let it go that we are not interested in constant social graces?

"Miss Kagome did you happen to bring any of that honey cream for me?" Uncle Mushin inquired disregarding the couple's exchange.

Kagome smiled politely. "Yes I did, remind me before I leave to grab it out of my saddlebag."

"What is the honey for old man?" Inuyasha gruffly asked focusing his eyes on Uncle Mushin instead of the seductive temptress across from him.

"It is not honey. It is honey cream that warms and soothes my aches in my back. Takes away all the pain from the daily activities" he said with a smile on his face beaming towards Kagome as though she were an angel.

"Why would she bring you the honey cream? Why can't you just pick it up from the healer in town old man?" Inuyasha jested with him. Knowing Uncle Mushin has had his eye on the town's healer for decades but never has courted her.

"Lord Takahashi, I make the cream myself with the assistance from my younger brother Souta. It is an experiment I have been working on for the past couple of years."

Inuyasha observed her as she spoke more about the cream and all the people she has helped with its use. Hey eyes shining like gems passion pouring out of her soul while she explained how she figured out that honey could be used for more than tea and cakes.

Kagome spoke of her passions for science and learning what other medicinal practices could be used to heal ailments from normal household items. Sango's eyes glazed over and Miroku fiddled with his dessert but Inuyasha was enraptured. She stated freely and did not worry that the subject was unconventional or boring her older sister.

No woman he has ever known showed any interest in helping others heal as Kagome did. Hell, no woman had ever shown any interest in anything other than parties, gossip, and husbands in his presence typically. She was like a cool breeze through a dusty old house. Refreshing and enchanting while she blushed at the further compliments from Uncle Mushin. His heart pounded when she placed a fallen hair behind her ear. What I wouldn't give to nibble on that lobe and whisper my exact intentions for her into the delicate shell.

"Kagome this is not proper conversation for the supper table" Sango reminded her and lightly kicked her leg under the table to shush her from further awkwardness.

"Science is not exactly a normal ladies interest" he stated but instantly regretted as her face fell from its previous joy to a look of remembrance and solemn resolution.

"That is true Lord Takahashi; however I am not usually grouped in with normal ladies" Kagome said quietly and began to sip the peppermint tea in front of her to distract from his probing looks.

How could I imagine he would be any different than any other man? No man could understand such a fascination. There is no use pining for what will never be.

"Never the less, it sounds very beneficial and I know I could use some after my rides. Especially this morning" he replied earnestly hoping to return her smile as it did light the room in the dim evening.

"What happened to you this morning Inuyasha? Miroku asked helping Rin clear the table of the left over dishes.

Inuyasha and Kagome smiled knowingly at each other.

"Just a slight fall Miroku nothing too serious" Inuyasha spat out quickly before Kagome could answer with some remark about his lake adventure.

"I am sure we could have some made for you by tomorrow afternoon" Kagome rose from her seat and grabbed a stack of used plates at the end of the table.

"Tomorrow afternoon would be perfect. Could you come by around 3?"

"3 will be fine as long as we can make it to the beekeepers before noon". Kagome followed Miroku and Sango into the kitchen leaving Inuyasha to reconsider his invitation. As long as her younger brother accompanies her it will remain a chaperoned visit. Nothing can happen on a chaperoned visit. Besides, I could use some of the cream she offered for my back from the fall. It does not mean I want her for more than that…

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