4 - Perfection

"Kiss Me," she said.

InuYasha's brain scrambled frantically. Kiss her? Oh God. Okay, I want to. She wants me to. But I feel frozen. What the hell is wrong with me.? Those eyes, those beautiful, petrifying, perfect eyes, its like I'm holding an angel! Do I deserve an angel? She thinks I deserve an angel, right? Or else she wouldn't have told me to kiss her. Hold on, did she tell me to kiss her? Or did she askme to? There's a difference. If I don't, will she be upset? Well, I'll beat myself up forever if I don't, but still, was it a question or an order? Okay, so I kiss her. What if she doesn't like it? What if I hurt her? What if stupid Miroku is watching right now and I'll never hear the end of it? Wait, Who cares about Miroku? This is about Kagome. Kagome and I. I and Kagome. Right now. No one else. Uhhhhhh… DAMN what do I do?
_

His jaw had dropped slightly, he was looking down at her utterly dumbfounded as he weighed his options, and his face showed it. Maybe a whole two seconds had passed, but his train of thought was already spiraling out of control and into the gutter. He found himself thinking about how this situation was going to end. He had to admit he didn't have experience in this department, so he couldn't say that he would have control over the situation. He had kissed her once before, or rather, she kissed him, but that was out of desperation to keep him from becoming a full demon. She said she loved him, was that out of desperation too? He had almost kissed her several times… almost. One time she freaked out and pushed him away, but the other time she didn't, her little brother just happened to burst into the room. It was half and half, deadlocked. In other words, he had no idea what to do.
_

After the first seconds of no response, Kagome began searching his face for an answer. She knew she wasn't dreaming, but the emotion… finally being with him was transporting her back to her own time, to those dreams, where she was alone. It was terrifying. Here was the ultimate example of déjà vu, and it couldn't have come at a worse time. She waited for him to lean forward, he didn't. She waited for soft pressure on her lips, there wasn't any. It was as if he were about to vanish into thin air and this would become her worst nightmare all over again. She gazed questionably into his eyes, they had become soft yet calculating, as if he was assessing her reaction as well. Kagome was too tired to wonder why he wasn't pouncing at the opportunity. Okay, bad word choice-but why wasn't he? Her eyes started to droop slightly, she blinked a few times to clear the blurry film that was beginning to form over her eyes. He didn't once take his eyes off her, he was just… staring. Inuyasha, what's wrong?
_

If he waited too much longer he was going to miss his chance. Three years of waiting for this moment and it made him so happy he couldn't move? Is that what was happening? He was getting mad at himself. It was reminding him of one of those moments in a battle where he couldn't decide whether he should use the Wind-scar or Backlash Wave, he had to play the battle field first so he could find out. But once it comes down to a decision, he only has one chance to do it right. If he doesn't use the right attack, the enemy is going to have enough time to attack and potentially, kill. So he has got to pick one, hopefully the right one, and then move on from there, even if he's uncertain. Why am I comparing Kagome to the enemy?
_

The weak light from the moon didn't quite reach him, a shadow covered his face. Golden orbs glowed in the lack of light. His long hair brushed against her cheek as it waved in the wind. She couldn't read his expression anymore, but it looked kind-of like it had that night they almost kissed in her bedroom. Had that been a look of longing? She hadn't been paying attention. He still had a tight grip on her body; one arm wrapped around her upper back and held her up to his chest, his hand was clutching her shoulder. The other arm dipped down across her body and that hand was placed firmly on her waist. How long have we been like this? She considered telling him that he didn't have to, that he should just forget it. She didn't expect him to take this long, and just because she was tired didn't mean her self esteem couldn't be shattered. He had already proved she wasn't dreaming, the moment she stepped out of the well and took his hand, she knew it was real. For in her dreams, there was no warmth, and there were no strong arms pulling her close. Kissing was simply a suggestion, that's all, just the icing on the cake, but it's not necessary. If you aren't gonna do it, then let me fall asleep and die!
_

She must be confused. What the hell am I doing? My entire body is tingling like crazy! I want to, I know I want to! Maybe that's the problem, I want it too much, and my instinct is telling me to calm down; but I'm not calming down so I'm freezing up! She's so fragile, I wouldn't want to- Damn it! Don't think anything nasty! It's a kiss! I can do this!
_

Inuyasha, this is stupid, I shouldn't have asked. I understand if you don't kiss me. I just wish I knew why you are holding back. I'm perfectly happy with lying here in your arms. As long as you allow me to stay here like this, I'll be happier than you'll ever know.
_

Okay- she looks really confused. This seemed so much easier all those years ago in her room, when we were alone just like this. I was in complete control then, hell, even eager to kiss her and never break away. Does she think I don't want to? Shit! Pull it together and make a move damn it!
_

I should stop looking at him. He probably just doesn't know how to say no. I should rest my head back against his chest and pretend I never said anything. God, a few minutes with InuYasha and I'm already making a fool out of myself! Look away. Look away!
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She's gonna give up on me. This is my chance!
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Inuyasha, you do love me, don't you?
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I love her, I love her more than I can stand! I will tell her, but right now I need to show her!
_

Inuyasha…

Kagome…

Before either of them knew it, his lips were against hers. The pressure was firm, but gentle. Neither of them moved. Only the sound of the wind blew around them as the moment sunk in.

Feeling more comfortable, Inuyasha finally relaxed his shoulders and let out his held breath through his nose. His one hand left her waist to support the back of her neck, pulling her gently forward. He leaned in over her to deepen the kiss and press their bodies even closer together.

She let her body relax and tilted her head slightly, finding it easy to simply do what came naturally. Necessary functions, however, seemed to stall. Her lungs were empty and she could hear the blood swirling in her ear from holding her breath.

Their lips parted and she gasped for air. The sound of their staggered breathing blended together in a sort of chorus. Kagome giggled to ease her own tension.

Inuyasha's heart fluttered at the sound. He rested his forehead against hers and then eased his lips closer, a smirk curving his mouth. Laughing at nothing…again. He lowered his lips to hers again, relishing every second that her lips brushed his and sent electric jolts through his entire form.

His lips barely touched hers at all, restraining any aggressive movements that would ruin the bliss. Allowing her more room to breathe, his lips hovered just above hers before he would briefly make contact with a few chaste kisses.

Her heart felt as though it would burst. The pure emotion she had never felt before weld up inside of her. She liked they way they were, just like this. Once again she forgot how to breathe.

Inuyasha paused for a moment to look down at her. "Kagome, it would be great if you could breathe normal. You're freaking me out." He murmured, before claiming her lips with his.

She laughed against his lips. "Sorry." She mumbled when he broke away again. She sighed, blowing her sweet breath over him. He cradled her closer to him. Kagome sighed and whispered his name as she pulled herself up to wrap her arms around his neck. He enclosed his arms around her, shielding her in his grasp. He could hear her blood as it surged through her body. It smelled sweet to him as it always had, only a thousand times better than that. It was like his own personal scent that only he knew. And his craving for it is what made her his.

He turned his head towards her ear and whispered, "I love you, Kagome." His hot breath made her shiver as he spoke so close to her. She felt his arms tighten around her as he tucked his head down and nestled his face in the crook of her neck.

She smiled to herself as tears of joy streamed quietly down her face. The most perfect moment of her life had made it's close with the three words she had been waiting for all this time. See? That wasn't so hard to say, was it? She thought. Usually her over-zealousness would have her squealing and wiggling with joy, but somehow she stayed calm. She knew her dreams would hold no fear, and right before sleep claimed her, she whispered back, "And I love you, Inuyasha."

Then, it was black.