The Principle of Existence

Summary: Due to a declining birth rate, the government of Japan imposes a drastic new law that forces healthy males and females to get together to make children. For Inuyasha, a hanyou, this may be a chance he thought he never had to have a family. But will he ever find love too?

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co. They belong to the wonderfully talented Takahashi Rumiko.

Warning: Adults doing adult things.

Chapter 7 Open Invitation

"He'll see you now," the impish looking assistant spoke without looking up from his smartphone.

Kagura stood up, straightening her outfit, double checking her jewelry and hair to ensure that everything was perfect.

Standing tall and walking proud, she glided into the office she had been summoned to. For what reason, she didn't know, but that was fine with her. A private meeting with Sesshoumaru regardless of the reason was good enough for her.

She noticed that he showed her no manners. He didn't stand and bow to her. There was no offering of a seat, or any tea. He wouldn't even look up from his paperwork to acknowledge her presence.

So, he was playing hard to get, was he? Dogs like to play games, she thought. And she was game for his.

Kagura sat down and waited for him to finish his work. She held up her hand and examined her nails. Drats. She was due for a manicure again next week. Youkai nails grew too long too fast. In this society where humans and youkai mingled, such attributes were frowned upon.

However, she could only examine her nails for so long. She pulled out her phone and opened up her calendar. She had appointments that had to be kept no matter what, or who. Her work was no less important than his.

How dare he?

And yet, as she sat here, her anger stewing, if she spoke out first, he won. She couldn't let him win. No, scratch that. He always won. He was a daiyoukai, the daiyoukai of the famous dog clan and she was just an orphaned youkai from a bad background. Still, she didn't get where she was at just by sitting pretty and keeping quiet.

Standing up, she glared at the Prime Minister of the youkai of Japan, and unofficially, half of Asia. Her red eyes flared at having to submit, but a game was a game.

"If you have nothing to say to me, I'm leaving," she snapped at him. When he didn't immediately answer, she h'mphed and quickly spun on her heel, heading to the door. "I don't have time for this."

"You should," he finally replied, his low voice causing her to pause. "Or you don't because you are too busy being critical of your own government's plans."

"It's my right to be able to disagree with such a heinous plan."

"I'd watch my words carefully," he warned her, though the growl in his voice hinted at a real threat.

"Well, it's is," she replied as she turned back around to face him. Gods, he was gorgeous. And his strength, his power had her ready for him.

"Not your call. As a civil servant, you have a duty."

She cocked a perfectly arched brow at him. "As do you."

"Due to my current priorities, I've been granted a short deferral. You have not."

"As you care."

"I do."

Kagura was shocked. He cared? Really? About her? That was more than she expected. It was what she had hoped for.

"You are making youkai look bad."

Of course he didn't care. It was all about the overall image of youkai. All to make youkai look good to humans. "I'm not interested. I'm a wind youkai."

"No one is holding you to a monogamous relationship."

"How dare you!" she yelled at him. "You have no right." Swirls of wind whipped around her, fluttering about her hair and clothing.

"Are you questioning my authority?"

The tiny twisters died down some. "That's not the point."

"Then make one," he challenged her.

Kagura stood there trying to get her anger under control, the wind around her dying.

"If you don't have one, then leave."

Her eyes narrowed at him. Oh how she wanted to rip a feather out of her hair and fly away from this place – from this imposed duty. But that wasn't their way anymore. Youkai had to remain subdued, powerless, bound.

To be free…

Sesshoumaru leaned back in his chair as soon as the door slammed shut. He knew why she was being so critical of these arranged marriages. Why she turned down every suitor she had been matched with.

They weren't him.

Or, more to the point, it was about his power. She was attracted to his status in the youkai community, not necessarily him. His status brought him unbelievable power over many. He also had the physical strength and intelligence to hold onto the power he had. That was the package she was after.

Kagura had been chasing after him for decades now. And he effortlessly dodged each attempt she had made. Now she was starting to slip, showing hints of desperation on her part. After nine hundred years, he knew it was time for him to settle down. Kagura would make an acceptable mate, but her constant defiance bothered him. Kagura would never fully submit to him. But could he put away an ancient, biological instinct for one woman?

Kagome sat in front of her movie collection pulling out some movies for Kouga's brother's education. The females Ginta and Hakkaku were paired with were mostly human. It seems that some great ancestor of these females had ookami youkai blood in them making them part wolf, at some miniscule level. Yet, they were mostly human and had lived in the human world.

Next, she pulled out some volumes of manga that she thought might help. If it didn't at least they were good reads. Kagome had considered loaning them some of her books, but, she didn't want to mess anything up in Ginta and Hakkaku's head. Her books were more fantasy than real. She knew that.

"Thanks again Kagome. Ayame and some of the other pack families are going to help too."

Kagome grinned. "You mean they wouldn't let you handle it on your own."

"Whatever. They are just adding a female perspective," Kouga said each word slowly, practiced.

"Ah. That's extremely mature and noble of you Kouga. I'm sure Ginta and Hakkaku appreciate everything that you're doing."

Kouga beamed, standing taller as Kagome fed his ego. "Thanks Kags. And, you of course are adding a human perspective, which I suppose is necessary."

Kagome shrugged. "I guess."

"How are things with you. Ayame was saying something about how we never see you anymore."

"Oh, I'm working. It's not a full time career, just a temporary job."

Kouga looked at her in the eyes. He really liked her eyes. They were so kind and inviting. He worried about her though. "Do you like it?"

Kagome hesitated with her answer. "So far, it's alright. Not quite what I imagined it to be. But, I don't think anyone really had a good grasp on how this whole thing was going to work."

"I am so glad I was mated before all of this shit started. I can't imagine what my brothers are going through."

"The ones I'm working with…they seem like they'll be okay."

"Easier for you then."

"Yeah." Kagome wasn't quite so sure. She had so much to teach both of them that she didn't think she'd get it all done. Well, Kikyou was doing okay from what she heard from Kikyou's language teacher. But she had a breakthrough with Inuyasha.

"Kouga…I'm going to ask you a really weird question so please just bear with me. Do I…do I smell?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Could you please, for me, just answer it. You have such a good sense of smell."

"Just good?"

"Fine. It's great. The best. We can always count on you for it. Now…do I smell?"

Kouga sat down onto the floor next to Kagome. She was being serious about this and so would he. "Don't you know how it works for us?"

"I know that your sense of smell is much, much stronger than ours."

"It's more than just that. Everything has a scent, an odor. It's how we can tell the difference between all things. Every living being has a signature scent, each as different as their DNA."

"Okay," Kagome said, following along with him. She heard bits and pieces about the different powers that youkai have. She'd just never figured that so much of the animal traits would be enhanced in their youkai equivalent. "So, again, do I smell?"

"Yeah, but not bad. To tell you the truth, I like your smell. It's one reason why we can all tolerate you. But you are kind and easy on the eyes too. Your voice is like music, easy on the ears."

Kagome blushed. Kouga would be a great teacher to Ginta and Hakkuku if he encouraged them to be honest with their feelings. "So, if someone were to say I smell with a look of disgust on their face, then that can't be good, right?"

Kouga jumped up to his feet. "Wha-What fucker would say that?"

Kagome gulped. Kouga had that look in his eyes, the one where he was ready and willing to kill something. She's seen it once when Miroku got too drunk once and tried to do a little more hands on play than he should've.

But Kouga calmed. He knelt back down onto the floor next to Kagome. "Look Kagome…as far as I can tell, no one has ever had a problem with your scent. There's something really nice about it, I'd say…yummy, but that's not quite right. Whoever this jackass is that thinks you smell bad is…well, a jackass. And stupid. He probably has a broken brain. Ignore the fucker."

"Have I ever smelled bad?"

"Not really…no. Well, wait, when you came back from America. It was probably the pollution. If you are around something like that long enough you can take on environmental scents."

That all made sense to her. If she remained in one place for so long, it would seem natural to absorb the surrounding scents. Smell was nothing but molecules that somehow fit into receptors in ones nose that told the brain what they were smelling and if it was a good or bad smell depended on the person.

"Um, Kouga…what do I smell like?"

"Kagome, I'm not sure I should answer that."

"Eh, why not?"

"It's kinda…personal." Kouga looked away, scratching the back of his neck and he refused to look at Kagome any longer.

"Kouga, when have you ever been bashful?"

"It's intimate. I freak out when anyone speaks of Ayame's flavors. It shouldn't be shared. Shit, if I could keep others from smelling Ayame I would. It's why I mark her with scent as much as I can. A hug, making her wear my coat and…well, and other things."

Kagome gave Kouga a soft smile. "That's romantic in a youkai kind of way."

"Whatever. It's for her protection and my sanity."

"Come on Kouga, you can tell me. It's not like – like you'll ever let me be intimate with a youkai." What she really should've said was that he would let her be intimate with anyone, human, youkai, robot…

"That's so right." Kouga sighed. He felt so sorry for Kagome. She was such a wonderful person. If only things were better for her. "Fine. You smell like…flowers."

"Flowers?"

"It's floral. Like flowers but I don't know all of the proper names. I only know Ayame's and my girls. Ayame makes sure I know the names."

"That's because they'll hurt you if you don't know them."

"Floral,…clean,…and I don't know, some kind of spices."

"A clean floral spice? Like incense?"

"Sure. Kagome-scented incense. I'd buy some of that."

"So…say if someone didn't like a floral clean spice scent, is there something I could do to change it or hide it?"

"Changing one's scent is hard. Hiding it is easier, but requires a lot of work, or a spell."

"Spells are hard work. My grandfather tried to show me some a few weeks ago."

"You're grandfather is a kook. We all love him, but he's crazy."

"Yeah. I know."

"Thanks for this again Kagome."

"Sure. No problem Kouga. This should get you started. If you need anything else, I'm here for all of you."

Kouga picked up the bag with all of the movies and manga in it. "We know Kags. And stop by anytime. The girls would love to see you."

"Sure. When things slow down a bit and I have time. I'll see you later though Kouga."

Kouga gave her a quick hug. He hoped that even after their conversation, she would pick up as to the reason why he hugged her. Even though they weren't mated and never had that kind of relationship, she was under his protection. And any youkai would know that. Whoever this youkai was that said she smelled bad most likely picked up his scent. Good, he thought. They all needed to stay away from her. Kagome belong to him and his people.

Kagome watched as Kouga locked the door before leaving. Oh she was so upset at herself. Never before had she been so glad to see her friend leave. Not that she should be. Kouga answered her questions and at her own insistence when he didn't want to. But she didn't like his answer and was relieved when he quickly change the subject and left.

Inuyasha hated her smell. But why did that little revelation bother her so much. Look at me…I'm…I'm shaking. She held her hands tightly together, burrowing them in her lap. Why? Why was she reacting like this? Oh gods why should she even bother? No, she couldn't even bother about it.

Get a grip, she instructed herself. This wasn't like her at all. This was becoming to be just like her romance stories. She understood now. She knew that's why she loved them. They weren't real and it made it safe to fall. She couldn't fall.

Falling for Inuyasha…no, it wasn't quite like that. Lust, a…a fantasy, a silly little crush. And whatever feelings she thought she may have, none of them mattered. Kikyou and Inuyasha. Kikyou and Inuyasha…that was real. That was the reality.

She was paired with him.

He was paired with her.

It was as simple as that. There was no Kagome. To them,she was really nothing more than a roadblock. A necessary tool. Maybe even unnecessary.

Hadn't she called herself that before?

Kagome knew she had to get this kind of thinking out of her head. She had a meeting with Inuyasha coming up and had to be prepared for that. She wouldn't let herself get distracted by his oh so exotic looks, sensual voice and those ears.

Like that was helping.

Okay, she knew she was in a little trouble, but it seemed like it was getting worse. Yet, there was an upside to it all. It appeared that Inuyasha didn't like her one bit, nothing about her while he held total reverence for Kikyou. That would help her.

Yeah, she hoped it would.

"Why are you here again?"

"No reason. Perhaps to buy. I'm not sure."

"Keh," Inuyasha sighed as he glanced down at his work. Here, there, wherever, it didn't matter as he only took a break from work when he needed to eat or sleep.

"Why aren't you with Sango or someone?"

Miroku put down his bottle of beer. "Yes, well…about that…"

"Well?"

"Yes, well…it's…" Miroku fumbled through the words as he best tried to determine how to explain to Inuyasha his situation. A smirk quickly crossed his face. "It's nothing really. She just wanted to spend some time with some friends of hers."

"And you're lying because…"Inuyasha crumbled up the piece of paper he was working on. He didn't like erasers. It was just easier to throw the mistake away and start from scratch.

"Perhaps speaking of such things could further jinx the situation."

"I already know that she hasn't fuckin' slept with you yet."

Miroku chuckled. "I have been a gentlemen the entire time," he said defending himself.

"Whatever. Like I care."

Miroku remained silent as he watched Inuyasha work. Maybe he should tell him about what happened with Sango. It couldn't hurt any. Inuyasha wasn't one to run around and gossip. And he relied on Inuyasha for his honesty, very blunt honesty.

"I hurt her." Miroku wasn't prepared for the growl and quickly threw his hands up in his defense. "Physically." Like that helped. "On accident. And…and…She did get me back. I won't say we're even, but…"

"You hurt her?" Inuyasha growled out, finding his blood boiling at the idea of a dear friend of his hurt.

"I stopped by her dojo. Back in middle and high school I was a member of several clubs, one of them being a sparing club."

"As well as the ass-grabbing club and the 'bear my child' club."

"Well, those were more like hobbies. Not that I didn't try to make them into clubs. Back to Sango...As you know Sango is a strong fighter and that hasn't change other than she has gotten better, learned more techniques. She's amazing."

"You challenge her or did she challenge you?"

Miroku grinned proudly. "I can't recall exactly but…we ended up alone in a room."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at Miroku's melodramatics. Why couldn't the guy just tell it straight. The problem with the guy was that he tended to get lost in his own thoughts.

"We sparred. A good real spar. One that even you could appreciate. It felt like it went on for hours. I didn't realize my advantage until much too late. Sango was losing stamina, but she wouldn't let down. She got tired, sloppy and I went in thinking she still had time to defend herself and block my attack."

Miroku frowned as he recalled what he had done to Sango a few days ago. He felt absolutely horrible. No man should ever do what he did to a lady, either on purpose or accidentally. Never. It was against who he was as a man, everything he believed in.

"My staff connected with her stomach. There was a snap and I may have hit a rib."

"You said that she got you back."

"Ah…yes. Let's just say that she me a reason to abstain from sex for a while longer."

Inuyasha chuckled. "Good girl."

"Inuyasha. I hurt her. I've never hurt a female. And Sango, she's…"

"Yeah. Yeah. The love of your life."

"Yes. You just don't do something like this to someone you love."

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders. "I really wouldn't know."

"You would never do anything like what I did to Kikyo."

"That's because I would never spar with her. I know better."

"True. I should've too. But…she was so playful and fun and the way she moved totally turned me on." Miroku sighed. "Foreplay can be dangerous. So, how do I make it up to her?"

"You're asking me?"

"I know. I know. But I'm asking you because you are Sango's friend. I am more than aware of your lack of experience when it comes to dealing with females."

Inuyasha shook his head. If any other guy had said that to him he'd rip their lips off. "All males lack experience with the girls when compared to you. Write a book."

"That's a good idea. I'll consider it. But it doesn't help me with my current situation."

"With Sango, the typical give them flower shit won't do. I don't know. She's always mentioning that stuff around the dojo needs to fixed."

"Sometimes Inuyasha…" He eyed the work Inuyasha was so preoccupied with. "What are you working on?"

"Work."

"What kind of work?"

"Which dojo?"

"What?"

"Which dojo? Sango's got like…what? A couple of dozen. You gonna fix 'em all?"

"It's a start."

Inuyasha tried to ignore Miroku's new life only because he didn't have his yet. Kikyo had to be able to speak Japanese before they could do anything. On top of that, Kagome was convinced he needed to be schooled on something.

"Don't move Sango. Mama will have a fit."

"Kagome as I've told you and everyone else, I'm fine. Really. I'm just a little tender but nothing I've never experienced before. It's a job hazard."

"Getting knocked across the chest by Miroku's weapon is not an occupational hazard. Mama had to lie to Grandpa about it." Kagome inwardly paused at her choice of words.

"Oh…sorry."

"It's okay. Mama's just so happy for the two of you. She's not sure whether to congratulate Miroku or to scold him."

Sango's chuckle caused her chest to hurt. She winced, sucking back a hiss. "I'm fine. Thanks for looking after me. I still can't believe he got me this good."

"Was someone paying attention to something else?" Kagome sang out with a smile on her face.

Sango shook her head. "Oh no. Stop right there, right now. Turn off the romantics. I wasn't ogling him if that is what you were suggesting. First I was tired. It was a long day. And second…did you know he kept up with his martial arts?"

Kagome settled into the couch with a stack of papers on her legs. Letters in English written to the Shrine. It was her duty to translate them and reply to them. When there was a large enough English-speaking group touring the Shrine, she was their guide.

"Yes I did."

"Thanks for the warning."

"You never asked."

"Kagome…is it bad if you change your mind?"

"Not really, but I guess it depends on the situation."

"I did what you said, about Miroku. And he's proven himself. So far I find myself thinking about him and stuff." Sango hid her face in her hands, hiding her inflamed cheeks.

Kagome scribbled out her translations to one of the Shrine's letters. "Are you happy?"

"Huh?"

"Are you happy? Thinking about him all of the time. Going out, being with him, hearing his voice…sitting here injured. Are you happy?"

"I think so."

"Despite everything that has happened to you in this life-"

"Now Kagome," Sango started to interject.

"The murder of your family, Kohaku's hospitalization, your…your ordeal. Can you be with Miroku and not feel guilty, but feel genuine happiness for the first time since that dark time?"

Sango scowled at Kagome. "Well gee Kagome, when you put it that way, how can anyone feel happy?"

"Which is why I brought it up. So, I ask you again, are you happy?"

Nibbling on her lower lip, Sango struggled with an answer. "I don't know. He's my friend and maybe I'm starting to see him in a different light, but, my past is holding me back. He is holding me back too."

"That's because Miroku knows."

"I still can't believe you made me tell him."

"I didn't make you tell him. He is one of your best friends and he wanted to help you."

"If I say that I think I'm happier than I've been in a long time, would that be okay?"

Kagome stopped writing and looked at her friend. "Is that true?"

"Yes."

Kagome squealed. "Oh yeah. I'm so happy for the two of you."

"What about you and your job thing? How is that?"

"I think I've made a minor breakthrough. We'll see how it goes."

About One Week Later

"Mama…it's-it's almost seven. I'm going to be late."

"Kagome, if he's like any other man, he'll wait for food."

"Not Inuyasha. Zero patience. All rudeness."

"Ok. Do you have everything?"

"I think so. Though he could care less. I think he only agreed to do it because of the food which means he'll just ignore me the entire time."

Mama Higurashi laughed as she packed up the large dish of tori no mizutaki as well as a plate of sweet red bean fritters as an after meal snack. It was so much fun to cook for others. Sango, Kohaku, Miroku…all of Kagome's and Souta's friends had open invitations to drop by whenever they could for a nice home cooked meal.

"Your father was the same way. Anything important to say to him had to be shared after dinner. Family visits, weddings, pregnancies…even of his own children."

"Really. But Miroku is so attentive."

"Miroku is a different kind of male."

"Riiiight. Okay. I better go. Thanks again Mama and I'll be back over in a few days."

"Sounds good. Oh, Souta and Kohaku should be over this weekend. They have a long weekend from school."

"Okay, great. Bye Mama."

Inuyasha was starving. Kagome was so late. He had decided against eating his usual ramen because she promised to be here with food and she wasn't here.

His stomach growled angrily at him.

Okay, he thought, standing up. That's it. He was heading out to his ramen stand. Food was something he couldn't wait too long for. Not after the kind of day he had at work. Being a hanyou sucked. No one took you seriously. No one thought you were intelligent.

And one particular person thought it was okay for him to starve.

He ripped open his door and ran into smack into something…somebody. "Shit."

"Oh…sorry," Kagome said, dropping her backpack onto the ground to avoid spilling the food she had cradled in her arms.

"You're late and I'm hungry." And then he sneezed.

"I know. I know. The stew took longer to make because of the volume and then-"

"In."

Kagome closed her mouth and hurried inside the house, somehow kicking off her shoes. She quickly found refuge in the kitchen as she set the bag full of food down on his counter, unloading the carefully packaged goods.

"Do you have any bowls?"

"Up there," he replied, pointing to one of the upper cabinets.

"Okay." She pulled out a large-sized one and filled it up with as much stew as she could. She put the fritters in a smaller bowl and set it with the stew as she searched for some utensils.

"Did you have a question for this week?" she asked from the kitchen as she found some chopsticks and a spoon that looked clean. Oh boy…she was having trouble here. She was a bit of a neat freak. Maybe some help on getting his place clean was in order before Kikyou stopped by.

Inuyasha tapped his nails impatiently on the table as he waited for his promised food. "In the notebook."

"Again, sorry it took so long." Kagome set the food in front of Inuyasha. She sat down across from him, reached over for the notebook and opened it.

"Th-this is your question?"

He nodded, his mouth too full of food to allow any sound out. Kagome reread the question. He had all week to think about something and this was all he could come up with. After he swallowed his bit, he sneezed again. What the hell? Too much pepper? He couldn't taste that much.

"Are American women scary?" She eyed him carefully. "That's…eh…"She looked down at the question one more time. "That's what you want to know?"

"Yeah," he answered between shoveling and chewing his food and sneezing now. "Japanese women are scary."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "That's only because someone has to keep you males in line. Japanese women go to school, work, kids, manage the money, chores, cook dinner and what do men do? Live at work."

"Keh. I do just fine by myself."

"Right, because I easily found clean chopsticks."

Inuyasha threw a quick disgusted look at his chopsticks and then he just shrugged his shoulders. He was the only one who used them. He had nothing to worry about. Another sneeze.

"And when Kikyou moves in?"

"She can clean."

Kagome laughed. Ah yes. Here was where things were going to get interesting. He really had no idea and she was pretty sure he wouldn't like any of her answers. Not that she could complain. This was what she wanted, what she was getting paid to do.

"Kikyo's job is going to keep her pretty busy."

"And mine doesn't? Whatever. Are you going to answer my question or not?"

"Some women are scary and some are not. It's really no different than Japanese women. As for Kikyo personally, I can't say. That I will leave for the two of you to figure out."

"Okay." He picked up his bowl, heading to the kitchen for another refill. The fritters were practically gone already. Whoops. But the sneezes weren't all gone. Goddamn it. Was he coming down with something?

"Do you like it?"

"Like what?"

"The food silly."

Inuyasha sat back down, digging in with a spoon. "It's okay."

"It's better tasting when it's fresh."

"What?" Why was she still talking? Question was answered. He was satisfied with the answer. Time for her to make her way out. And more fuckin' sneeze. Great.

"The food. It tastes better when it's served immediately."

"So."

"So…my mother thinks it's impolite for you to eat her food not at her dinner table."

Inuyasha put down his spoon. He just wanted to enjoy his meal in peace and quiet. And he wanted the sneezing to stop. "What are you trying to get at?"

"She wants you to eat at her place. She lives at the Sunset Shrine. My grandfather's the priest. She'd totally understand if you didn't want to, but, she has given you one of her open invitations. My friend's and my brother's friends have them."

"I'll think about it."

"Sure. That's…tha's what I'll tell her then. She's looking forward to meeting you. I guess I talk to her about this thing quite a bit." If she stopped talking she was afraid she was just end of gawking at him. Best to keep her eyes down on the notebook and blabber about like an idiot. If he continued to see her as an idiot, he'd treat her like one and that would keep her little crush crushed.

"Mama already has the next meal for you planned. I think she finds it a bit sad that not everyone can have someone to cook for them."

Inuyasha frowned. Well damnit. It wasn't his fault he was alone and that his mother died when he was young. And he didn't need the pity parade passing by. Not that anyone ever felt anything for him other than hatred.

He stuffed more food into his mouth. He so did not need to go down the feel sorry for himself road. It was a waste of time. Soon he would have Kikyou and there would be no need to backtrack.

"If you can…"she started to say something then stopped. Instead of just babbling, now she was just repeating herself. Get a grip girl. He's taken and you are soooo not interested. You know what can happen when you get yourself attached to a taken man. It happens all of the time in the manga you read. Save everyone the trouble and move on. Now.

"I don't know if Kikyo is at all like the stereotypical American female. She was raised in a strict Japanese household that adopted American customs. Showers, emptying the bath after each use, Christmas and Thanksgiving. Only one instead of two Valentine's days. She answered 'none' to the religion question so I don't know if she celebrated any of the religious holidays as a part of a religion or because it's just what Americans do."

"Doesn't matter. I'm not religious."

"Really?" she asked trying not to sound too interested in what he had to say. And he wasn't being too rude about it. Another breakthrough?

"No reason to."

"I'm not really either."

"But you said your grandfather is a priest and you lived at a Shrine."

"I know. But…I'm just not convinced I guess. Either I lost my faith or had none to begin with."

"Keh. It's a waste of time. Whether they exist or not, they never did anything for me."

Kagome smiled. "My grandfather would say that's not how it works."

"Crazy old loon is what I say."

Kagome laughed. "Yes he is. He tell tall tales and then wonders why I'm not a believer. Stories about gods and demon and magic."

"Those sound cool."

"Well, I guess when you come over for some of Mama's cooking, you can listen to some. That's if you survive the exorcism."

Inuyasha cocked a black brow at her. "What exorcism?" He sneezed.

"Yours."

"Mine?"

"Yep."

"What for?" Another sneeze. If it was an exorcism on sneezing, count him in.

"Well, you're hanyou. He believes that the demon part of you has possessed your human side and with the exorcism he intends to drive the demon right out of you."

"Won't ever happen."

"I know that. His sutras are powerless but, it doesn't deter him any. Just asking him about the history of the Shrine will make him forget about the exorcism."

"Good tip."

And the awkward silence commenced. But, it wasn't really all that awkward.

Just silence. And Inuyasha's sneezing.

"If you don't have any other questions I should probably get going. It's late and I'm sure you have work or something to do."

Inuyasha nodded. Always with the work for him. It was all he knew. Work. Sleep. Eat. Soon though he would have to try other things, things that would make him more normal. He would have someone to talk to, spend time with, someone to eat with and someone to sleep with.

"I don't have anything."

"Okay. Well, you have all week." Kagome stood up, straightening out her patched up jeans. The Hello Kitty material she used for the patches were getting holey as well. She'd need to patch them up again soon.

"May I use your restroom before I head out?"

"Whatever."

"Uh…thanks."

Kagome sagged against the locked bathroom door. Her heart was pounding. She was working on trying to control her erratic breathing. What was it about him? Why could he do this to her? How…how was she letting him do this to her?

Why was she letting him do this to her?

She stumbled over to the sink, planting her hands on the sides of the sink, her chest heaving as she took deep breaths to calm herself. Her head snapped up as she looked at herself in the mirror.

This wasn't her she was looking at. This was someone else. A girl like her didn't act like this. A girl like her didn't fall for a guy, any guy. Especially one that belonged to another. This made her the worst kind of woman. The kind of woman she hated. The kind her and Sango shook their heads at.

Not exactly who she wanted to be.

Splashing water on her face, she sighed. Four more months and it wouldn't matter anymore. It wasn't a very long time. She could do it. She would make herself do it.

Kagome lifted up her arms, inhaling deeply. Before arriving, she bathed and showered several times using her brother's soaps and shampoos. Not her floral scenting stuff. Her clothes were laundered with a scent-free detergent. Then she had debated about the use of lotions and perfumes. It was a question about should she or shouldn't she.

Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a bottle of perfume she borrowed from her mother. It was a nice pleasant scent that was not floral at all. More woodsy and citrusy according to Kouga. When life got bad, a voice and this scent was all the comfort she needed.

Everyone needed a mother to talk to, to seek for comfort. The comfort her mother offered, it was like comfort in cookies. If Kagome's own scent bothered Inuyasha, then maybe her mother's scent would be more tolerable.

Kagome emerged from the bathroom and headed straight to the door intent on heading home to take a bath and lose herself in one of her books. She really needed that kind of escape.

Don't look…don't look at him.

"Next week at the Sunset Shrine. Uh…come as you are after work, or whatever." Kagome kept her eyes on her tennis shoes, examining the pink laces on her left foot and the orange laces on her right. The laces were double knotted. She was too clumsy to settle for a single knot.

Purse? Check. Coat? Check. She could leave the dishes here. He could drop them off next week. Next week would be easier. Her mother and her grandfather would be around to ease the awkwardness and to be a distraction so she didn't think about him the entire time.

It was going to be a really long four months.

Inuyasha sneezed again. How many times was that now? He didn't have any allergies that he was aware of. Unless…

"I'll see you next week." Kagome quickly bowed at him. That kept her eyes off of him. "Have a good evening." She left as quickly as she could. Coming over to his place was never to happen again. It was all Inuyasha. His stuff, even his scent…She couldn't risk it. Now she wanted what he wanted. Gods she hoped Kikyou was a quick study.

Inuyasha bolted from the table as soon as the front door closed, leaving dishes as they were as he sought refuge outside in his backyard. It wasn't much but a little square of rocks, a pond and a few plants and trees. He was lucky to have even that.

The air was cool and fresh. Exactly what he needed. Her scent was so…overpowering. It was too much for his sensitive nose to handle. As it got closer to summer, he hoped that anything involving her could occur outside. He'd rather smell the dirty air of the city than her.

Once his head and nose were all clear, he headed back inside. Four more months and he would have a companion, a mate. One whose scent he could tolerate. He wouldn't be lonely anymore and then maybe his far off dreams of a wife and a family would come true.