Glancing up at her, he finally took in her form and hating himself for ever leaving her alone. From head to toe, Kagome was covered in small nicks and bruises. Searching her neck, he was thankful that Kyotsu guy didn't get a chance to break the skin where he was nibbling at her throat.

"I'm sorry, Kagome. I should have never left you in your time. If I had stayed, then we would be over at your house, eating steak, and watching those moving pictures with your family. Instead, you're covered in cuts and bruises, and the bastard got close to marking you!"

Kneeling next to him, Kagome put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"InuYasha, you can't blame yourself for this. I chose to follow after you, and it was inevitable for Kyotsu to find me since he was looking for the jewel shards. What happened to me tonight is my own fault for making stupid decisions. Please don't blame yourself, Inu."

Getting a bit braver, Kagome wrapped InuYasha in an embrace from behind.

Sango watched them and smiled. Everything seemed to be good now, so she walked off to find the monk.

Closing his eyes, InuYasha soaked in the moment, feeling Kagome so close and warm.

"Hey Kagome?"

"Yeah?"

"I want to see you."

Kagome got up and walked around to face him.

"What is it, Inu?"

Grabbing her soft hands, he looked deeply into those kind eyes that were never guarded around him.

"When I left you, it was to find Kikyo."

Ducking her head, Kagome clinched her eyes shut and tried to ignore the twinge of pain in her chest.

"T-that's fine. You can do whatever you want, right?"

"No, it's not like that."

He took his hand and tilted her head up to look at him.

"I searched her out so I could tell her I wasn't going to Hell with her, ever."

Her eyes opened wide in disbelief.

"You told her that?"

Smirking, he lifted his hand to caress her cheek.

"I did."

"Why?"

Future InuYasha's words kept echoing in his head. If he didn't own up and tell Kagome how he felt, then he would lose her and live with so many pains and regrets like him.

"Because…Kagome…I'm in love with you."

Did her heart just stop? Did she imagine those words?

"Say it again."

Confused, InuYasha cocked his head.

"What?"

"Just say it again, please? I need to make sure I'm not day dreaming or hallucinating."

Chuckling, he lifted his other hand and cradled her angelic face.

"Kagome Higurashi, I am completely in love with you, and I want you to become my mate."

Searching his eyes, Kagome saw so much love, adoration, warmth, and certainty. He was certain that she was who he wanted.

Without thinking, Kagome lunged forward and held him in a tight embrace, squealing a little in happiness.

"Oh, yes! Yes, InuYasha! I will become your mate! I love you so much! I have for a long time."

Holding her close, he couldn't have anticipated a better reaction.

"I feel ridiculous for being nervous now."

Laughing, Kagome pulled away.

"This feels like a dream. The best and most incredible dream I've ever had."

"Does this feel like a dream?"

Leaning down, InuYasha captured her lips in a sweet kiss, making sure to be gentle since there was slight bruising from Kyotsu.

Kagome melted the moment their lips touched, and so much started to happen within her. It was as if a dormant part of her came to life and all it wanted as to feel more pleasure…feel more of him.

InuYasha could sense the change in her as she worked her hands into his shirt and roamed her delicate fingers up and down his muscular chest. A moan escaped his lips as he broke the kiss.

"Kagome, what are you doing?"

Leaning in, she sprinkled light kisses on his neck, satisfied when another moan was heard.

"I just want to feel you, Inu. After so long, I can finally touch you like this, and I want to take full advantage of it."

Did she have any idea the kind of images her word elicited? InuYasha did his best to keep calm, after all she may feel 'in the mood', but he was well aware of the damage done to her body.

"Calm down, Kagome. We have plenty of time for this after you're all healed up."

Coming to her senses, Kagome knew he was right. Kyotsu really did a number on her.

Lifting her lips from his neck, she laid her head on his chest and he encircled his arms around her tiny frame.

"You're right, I need to heal. Especially with a hanyou for a mate."

"What does that mean?"

Giggling, Kagome bit her bottom lip.

"Well you're stronger than humans, faster than humans, and you last way longer in a fight than humans. I wouldn't be surprised to find out you do 'other things' better too."

Rolling his eyes, he tried to calm down the redness in his cheeks.

"How would you know anyway? You're still innocent."

Drawing little heart shapes with her finger on his chest, she smiled.

"It's just a hunch. By the way, Inu have you ever been with anyone before?"

Now the red could not be squelched for so many reasons, one in particular, sweet little Kagome talking about sex.

"Of course not! Demons that are the pack kind, mate for life. That means only sex with your intended. Dog demons fall under that type."

Smiling even bigger, Kagome sighed in happiness.

"Good. I was hoping we could be each other's firsts."

They stayed a little while longer like that, before walking off to join their friends at a freshly made fire pit with fish cooking on the spick.