Hello again and sorry for the long wait. I would've had this up yesterday but life got in the way...anyway, WOW! I got tons of reviews for last chapter! Arigatou to: DiscipleofAnime

purduepup,

LadyShikon4

daisy31

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and katelynhonky!

I love all the support you guys have given me and I will not disappoint!

The kiss is THIS CHAPTER! I had fun writing this and I hope you enjoy reading this!

Disclaimer: I don't own the sexy as sin hanyou. Rumiko Takahashi does...but I do own the plot and Akio-san!

"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven." -Karen Sunde

Chapter 10

'…and as it rained all night long, Inuyasha and I sat together beside my bed and talked, but not so loud where my family could hear. He told me many things…revealing things I never thought possible. He told me about how…about how his mother was killed. It was terrible to hear such a thing; to have a kid watch his mother die by hanging; to see her body swaying lifelessly back and forth after it was over? Inuyasha looked so distraught and so guilty, tears of sadness flowed down from his cheeks. That was the first time I truly saw him cry, to break down completely. I let him lay his head on my lap while he sobbed silently into my nightgown. It was so strange. I could feel his pain, his sorrows, his anguish; everything clear as a bell. Not only did he have physical scars, but his emotional ones that wounded him even more. I just sat there, doing nothing but comforting him; even after his tears stopped.

I don't remember falling asleep, but I do remember a feeling of floating, like I was being carried. His body was hot, but nonetheless soothing to me. It might have been my imagination, but I want to think he was lying right there with me. He told me the next time we met that he was there until the sun rose through the morning fog.

Him revealing many chapters of his painful past was like a floodgate finally released. He sounds so much better. He looks so much happier than before. It was a major step for him to reveal all he did to me and I know he's much more confident now. InuYasha has a big heart, a half demon that has strength, but has a human heart; the best of two worlds I think. And while I feel like I'm floating because I've accomplished so much with him, that tugging feeling…something that feels like more than an infatuation, is growing stronger inside me…is it really…love?

Do I love him?'

She look out from her latest entry and out into the mist shrouding the forest once more. It had only been two days ago since that night. And it's been nearly five months since their first encounter…but it feels so much longer than that.

"Kaggie! Kaggie!" Her name from beyond her bedroom door forced her to shove her book underneath her bed, run out, and fly downstairs to see what Rin had called her for.

"Rin?"

"Let's go Kaggie! We are going shopping! Aunt Masako took Souta out so we could go and buy his presents!"

'That's right. It's Souta's birthday today.' She saw that Rin was ready to go in a special red and yellow kimono with a matching clutch with her earnings. Kagome had also decided to wear a kimono today; one that was summer blue with sparrows stitched onto the fabric. So after Kagome ran upstairs to get her money, the two cousins joined hands and walked to town.

Inuyasha had never felt like this before. When he told her of his life, of his many painful and tragic memories, including the death of his beloved mother, he couldn't help but break down in her lap. That night had changed him. Why did he tell her so much, he didn't exactly know, although it felt like he could completely trust her now; after her confession and the look in her darkened brown eyes.

Now that everything was out in the open, the hanyou felt like he was more alive than ever. He wanted to be someone Kagome could depend on, to rely on to protect her from anything, to give her anything he could. And he felt like he would die, literally die for her if it ever came to it.

His heart had threatened to burst over the course of that night, due to all his confessions, and she had been there to alleviate his sorrows. Her calm and soothing touch gave him the strength to help overcome his agony, of watching the painful memory of his mother's death and his endless torment over his lifetime. He had never shed so many tears when thinking about his past, but with Kagome next to him, Inuyasha knew he could let it all out. Because she was there. She was a person who he could fully trust for the first time in a long time. With the combination of her touch, her lavender and vanilla scent, and her angelic voice, he eventually calmed down and just laid on her lap; until she was sleep herself. He gently carried her to bed, and just sat beside her. He just watched over her the course of the night, rubbed the silky smooth skin of her face, smiling at her peaceful expression as she slept. And by the time the sun was rising, he realized that he never felt this calm before; like being next to her and watching over her was something that he could never tire of, that it felt right and that it was something he knew he had to do. Kagome was special, and he would be damned if something ever happened to her.

Now as he enviously watched her and her cousin go into town, Inuyasha knew he had a while to wait for her. It was her brother's birthday, or so he heard. And having nothing else to do, he looked over the two women until they safely reached town. Wanting to blow some excess energy and maybe bathe, to smell nicer for Kagome's return, he ran as fast as he was able to Silver Eyes.

The afternoon was merely a minor celebration for the now eleven year old Souta. The real party would be in the evening, and the major feast and cake would be served with the guests that would be arriving.

When they went into town earlier that day, Kagome had gone to the local tailor shop. Since the town specialized in hunting, there were many suits of armor, made of demon skin and bone and pelts for protection. She had to come up with something to protect her hanyou, since his ragged pants were very worse for wear. She asked for a full kimono set; complete with haori and hakama. It was made from a very rare and expensive demon fur; the Fire Rat. Luckily, it took little time for it to be made. And after paying the shopkeeper, she left with her surprise; along with Souta's gift.

All sat in the sitting room as Souta opened his gifts from his family. From his mother and father, he had received a delicately carved wooden ship, one of his hobbies, of the main ship his father sailed on to the Americas. From his bubbly cousin, he got a book; an encyclopedia on the many ships in the world. Now he could learn and be up-to-date; and said enthusiastically "I will now know ALL THE SHIPS IN ALL THE WORLD!"

And from his sister, a beautiful men's kimono. Black haori and hakama, the back of the haori had the Higurashi family symbol; Cranes flying above murky blue water. Needless to say Souta was very stunned. The boy loved all his gifts, but he said that he loved his family even more; and gave everyone a big hug and a thank you.

Kagome, figuring now would be a good time to get away, she grabbed her package with Inuyasha's outfit and asked for a piece of cake.

Of course, her mother became suspicious.

"You're going to have cake tonight, honey. And what is with the package you have there?" She eyed the brown wrapping in her daughter's arms.

Kagome knew she had to come up with a valid excuse if her mother was going to believe her. "Sango told me that she and Kohaku would be up training in the mountains today and would be unable to make it tonight. So, I told them I would drop off a slice of cake, as well as Sango's new kimono." The girl hugged the package closer. "I promised her I would." At least that was the honest truth. Sango and her brother were in training today.

Masako looked to Akio; who shrugged his shoulders and nodded. Her motherly eyes turned back to her daughter. "Okay, but don't be gone for too long." She sliced a humongous slice of creamy vanilla cake and wrapped it in plastic and put into a cloth. "Be back in a little while and please don't run into any trouble."

The daughter knew her mother was just concerned for her safety, but she couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry mom, I'm a miko remember?"

Masako smiled lovingly. "I know. But I'm your mother. And me and your father can't help but worry." She kissed her eldest's forehead and swept some hair back from her face. "Be careful."

"I will, mom." And with a hug to her mother, a kiss from her father and twin "byes" from her younger siblings, the young woman made her way out the door…to a completely different destination.

Kagome walked down the marked path to the village for the first few minutes, then when she felt Inuyasha's welcoming and pleasantly enticing aura, she veered off the path towards the edge of the forest. Her smile never left her face, even as she saw her hanyou jump down gracefully. She walked the distance to where he was waiting. It was a safe distance where they wouldn't be seen in case anyone walked by.

The hanyou felt better that he cleaned up for her; even if it was only for a little while. Ever since his heart-wrenching confession few nights prior, Inuyasha had wanted to prove to Kagome that he wasn't ill-mannered and unkempt. All he wanted was for her to see that he could prove himself to her; and to prove to himself that he could change; even if not overnight.

Kagome noticed that her hanyou friend-turning-love interest was…glowing. He even looked like he washed up. His silver hair gleamed beautifully, his body glistening with sweat and his eyes…they were glowing with such joy and such confidence, it astounded her. It seemed every moment they were together, the more he opened up. It was miraculous. It was like he was revealing his true personality bit by bit. His crying revelation on that stormy night seemed to open up the floodgates; and there was no turning back.

'But he seems so happy. I love that smile.' Seeing his face, and his heartwarming smile made her melt inside. It was like being filled with warm honey. And her heart beat with such tenderness. It was impossible to stop these feelings when in his overpowering presence.

His nose picked up something sweet, and felt a strong demonic presence; which came from those packages she was carrying.

She picked up on his curiosity. "I decided to bring some new things for you to try."

"What are they?"

She shook her head, smiling with mischief in her dark eyes. "Nah ah, I'm keeping this as a surprise until we get to wherever we're going."

"Hey, now that's not fair." He tried to get closer but the girl giggled and got out of his reach.

"Sorry, Inuyasha. No peeking." Kagome thought he looked adorable when he pouted. She was right; he was opening up, letting loose for the first time with another person; namely her. And she loved that she had accomplished such a victory; especially when it was a orphaned hanyou that has suffered through a lot than was she thought possible for someone. But he was doing it, and she was proud of him.

"Can we go to Silver Eyes again?" She asked unexpectedly.

A soft chuckle and a soft smile answered her question; until he frowned.

"What is it?"

She was wearing a kimono; a beautiful one. Kagome couldn't ride on his back if she had that on. When she wore her other outfits it wasn't a problem but now he was confused; plus she had things in her arms.

"I was just…trying to figure out how we're going to get there since you can't ride on my back." He scratched the back of his head. Then a sudden thought and image raced into his head. Then he calculated how he would go about it. Staring at her, watching her facial expressions and how gorgeous she looked, Inuyasha realized that he could do it; and not have to face rejection from her.

'It's worth a try.' And with resolve that would fade quickly if he didn't act, he sped over, he bent down and with quick movements, his arms went under knees and around her waist and lifted her to his chest.

Kagome was startled but not scared. In fact, she felt even closer to him this way. She could hear his slightly quicker heartbeat; since he had demon blood in his veins that made his heart beat faster than hers or any other human. And he was warm too; also due to his demonic inu blood. She held her things closer to her and with a nod to his unwavering curious stare, the woman snuggled even closer; not only to get secure but to be near him in anyway she could. And silently letting him know once more that she wasn't afraid of him or his actions.

Her scent was practically all around him. She was so tiny in his arms and so fragile. But it occurred to him, that the longer he held her, the righter it felt. It was like Kagome was made for him, to be right here against his chest where her head rested, her brown eyes closed in contentment.

With even more bravery and the boost that she trusted him fully to his head, Inuyasha proudly lifted off and away to their private paradise; where he knew they could be together without a care in the world.

They made it in no time, the rapid waterfall gleaming from the sun and the air so fresh and pure. InuYasha landed on the bank beside the pool and let Kagome down, where she then sat so her legs were beside her, not under her. Inuyasha joined her moments later.

"So you want to know what I got?" Kagome picked up the bigger package; Inuyasha's eyes never leaving it.

"It has a demonic aura but-" He shook his head. "I don't know what it could possibly be."

The woman giggled and handed it to him. "You know my village hunts demons right?" The hanyou nodded once. "Well they take the bones and pelts of demons and make body armor so they have protection while also attracting them. It's pretty ruthless at how they slay them, though." She cleared her throat, realizing she was wandering into harsh territory. "Anyway, I'm rambling. I just thought this gift would be real useful."

The hanyou could smell her discomfort about the demon hunting so he dropped it and his gaze went to the present. And with a slice of his sharp claws, the paper fell away to reveal a deep red men's kimono, with a demonic aura radiating off it. His eyes widened; having never seen such a thing before. Since his nose remembered a lot of smells, Inuyasha knew this material was familiar. "Is this…"

"It's from the Fire Rat. They say it's a really rare demon, only found in caves near Mt Fuji where it's hot. Their pelt is especially impenetrable; can withstand fire and even heal themselves. I knew you must be cold at night without anything but that faded and ragged pants you got on." Kagome never looked away from him, waiting for his reaction.

InuYasha was the least to say, stunned. No one has ever given him a gift except for his mother. He wanted to cry but he held it in. Her kindness and sincerity was unlike anything he's ever known in a person. She was something special. He couldn't accept this, not when she's done so much for him already.

"Kagome I…" He looked down at the gift then back at her. "I can't take this."

Her face dropped. "Why not? I got it for you; it was no trouble."

Inuyasha could smell her confusion and her disappointment. Why did he always have a hard time accepting anything she gave him? Was it the unfamiliarity of receiving? His confusion as to why? Or was it his reluctance yet wanting anything she gave to him? He was just so overwhelmed he couldn't wrap his head around it.

"I mean I like it, don't get me wrong. But…why?"

"Because you deserve to have some comfort, some warmth even in your own skin. Plus it will protect you, shelter you from the cold and other things." Her hand reached out to touch his. "Plus I can't stand the thought of you trying to survive with hardly anything on." While she meant it seriously, her head imagined a nude hanyou and it only increased the blood flow to her face.

The hanyou knew she made sense but it was still hard to take something she offered. 'It'll probably make her happy if I accept it.' "Alright. I'll try it on."

Brown eyes sparkled with joy and her smile out-shined the moon. Inuyasha knew he made the right choice. He would do it; if only to see her smile like that. It was worth so much more to him to see her smiling and so joyful than she would ever know. He then got up and went behind the tree to change.

She could still see bits of him as he changed behind the tree; even caught a glimpse of his muscular leg, which had Kagome's mind going haywire. Her attraction to him was increasing, as well her growing…love? Love was a word she shouldn't throw around. But the more she spent time with him, the more she felt the pull towards him. The urge to be with him grew, no matter what or who he was or where he came from, Kagome only felt the desire to stay with him no matter what. It was like her heart beat more for him, like it wanted to beat only for him. It was a feeling more different and much more powerful than what she felt for her family or her close sister Sango.

A soft crunching shook her from her thoughts and saw her hanyou walk out, clad in deep red Fire Rat kimono.

'Wow.' Kagome thought breathlessly.

Inuyasha was weary in putting it on at first. He was used to wearing his old pants. But he had to admit this was more comfortable than he thought. It was a while since he had to figure out the basics of a kimono but the hanyou was able to little to no effort, put it on. And judging by the expression on Kagome's face, it was definitely the right decision.

"Does it…look okay?" He scratched his head, his ears twitching with anticipation for her answer.

"Uh…yes it looks good on you." It was true. She could still see his muscles, the red contrasted beautifully with his silver hair and brought out the gold in his eyes. He was a sight to behold.

After he sat back down, Kagome introduced him to the second treat. The western confection known as cake. Needless to say InuYasha was intrigued and fascinated by the western world and its unknowns. They shared the vanilla bean slice, with Kagome watching her companion eat his like no tomorrow.

Once they finished, the female teen noticed that he had a dab of icing on the corner of his lip; which caused her to giggle.

"What's so funny?" He was swallowing the last bite when he heard her melodious laugh.

"You just a got a little icing near your lip." Her thumb gently swiped the icing away; not knowing what a reaction it was to the hanyou.

As soon as her delicate thumb touched his skin, he felt a sudden jolt. Her scent was much stronger than usual. He grabbed her hand as she was pulling away.

"Inuyasha, what-?" The intensity in his eyes as he stared at her hand made her stop. She's never seen him so focused on anything before. Kagome kind of liked how handsome he looked when trained on something.

He put her hand up to his nose, smelling the lavender and enticing vanilla so strong here. His nose moved down to inhale her scent at her wrist…like gathering life support, like he needed it to survive. The pull of summer's climax was just about over but it still slightly affected him. Over the months they've been together, Inuyasha has felt more drawn to her, wanting to be with her more than he's ever craved anything. Inuyasha couldn't stop it…and he didn't want to either.

Kagome watched in fascination. He was sniffing quite intensely at her wrist but for what reason she didn't know. His breath hitting her sensitive skin was causing her pulse to race, which she was sure InuYasha could hear and sense. It sent shivers up and down her spine, like electricity.

Then his nose starting trailing up her arm; stopping just below her elbow. It was like a drug to him. Her scent drove him wild. His ear flickered to her rapid breathing and her heartbeat. He lifted his face up to meet hers; eyes of oak and sun clashed in an unbreakable pull.

Both couldn't speak a word. It was suddenly quiet, all life vanishing but the other. InuYasha continued to hold her wrist, his head in a fog from drinking in her aroma. But he felt like he was…leaning towards her.

Kagome couldn't even breathe now. His touch, his smell, his eyes were dragging her in fast and she wasn't sure if she could ever pull out from his deep sunny eyes again. Her heart was beating wildly against her chest now but then she leaned towards him where in a matter of seconds, both sets of lips met for the first time.

It may have seemed like only a few moments but the sensation of each other's lips made them forget time completely. Both sets of eyes slowly closed, the affects exploding within them causing feelings of pure bliss. Kagome did not have experience with romance; having never been the one to care for such things; and with her luck it might've never brought her true happiness anyway. Now she was eating her own words.

InuYasha however, was in a swirling vast of emotions. The taste of her lips was even better than her scent. But just barely. Then there was the confusion; why did he feel this way when tasting her plump lips? And the shock of it all combined with the fear that made him pull back, causing both brown and gold eyes to open back into reality again.

Kagome was somewhat panting for breath; while coping with her first kiss and the rapture of it. It was unlike anything's she's ever felt before. Never had she imagined, for her future, she would share her first kiss with a boy that's been abused and abandoned but could still have a heart. And with cute ears and those eyes she fell into constantly. Her fingers touched her lips, and still felt the delicious tingling. It still didn't matter what he was, or what he looked like, it was something precious to share something as sacred as her first kiss with the hanyou Kagome has grown to love and cherish with all her heart and soul. She lifted her gaze to his, and immediately he put his head down; avoiding her eyes.

He tainted her. With his monstrous grip and those fangs that could've sliced her mouth to ribbons. InuYasha couldn't bear to hear what she thought of him now. His selfish desire to touch her and tasted had reigned for only a few moments before he realized what he'd done.

"Kagome I…I'm sorry-I didn't mean to-I just…I-"

"Inuyasha?" Where was all this coming from? Now he was mumbling, trying to apologize with a voice full of shame and self hate. She crawled in front of him; to get his attention once more.

"I know it was wrong…and I-lost control-…of myself-I couldn't stop-"

"Inuyasha." She called again a little louder. The way he was sounding it was like he committed a crime. She had to get him back to his senses.

"And…I'm sor-" He was gulping for air, digging his claws into the ground; his ears flat against his head. "I wanted to say that I'm…-"

"InuYasha will you please shut up?" Her voice was loud enough to where he stopped talking and faced her again. Kagome took a deep breath and put her hands on his face. "I'm not angry. And would you please stop degrading yourself to a ruthless monster? I can't stand that." Her head and hands dropped to his now clothed chest; the smell strangely comforting to her nose. "You didn't do anything I didn't want."

That made his breath cease. Did that mean…that she liked it? Impossible. His hands were itching to hold her but he held fast; even with her reassurance that he wasn't a beast that had no self control. Sometimes he felt as such; especially with her around. His deepest desires floated closer to the surface when her scent was so close.

"Kagome…"

She heard his voice; filled with such anxiety, puzzlement, and wonder. A smile formed on her face and her eyes closed. "You don't have to be afraid to kiss me, Inuyasha. You don't even have to ask." A blush formed on her face. But what she said came straight from her heart. "If you want to kiss me, just do it."

How did she know him so well? That was exactly what he was thinking! After months of hanging around each other, she could read him; like he could read her, except for him it was by scent. Maybe he could tell what she thought without his nose. It was like a second sense of smell for him. Now with more courage, he drew her into him. His arms wrapped around her waist and one went to her head to feel the softness of her hair. He sat cross-legged so she was now in his lap, another new position that the hanyou could get used to. Her arms went around his back and into his silver hair. He thought for sure she could hear his heart race. His nose inhaled the fresh rose scent of her hair and fell even more. His eyelids slightly dropped, and his lips unabashedly touched the skin of her forehead. It seemed to be alright since she only sighed in his arms.

"I wouldn't have kissed you back if I didn't feel so…" Her hold tightened on him. "strongly about you." She heard a gasp and knew that red was painting is cheeks. She cuddled closer to him. "You are a big part of my life now. I can't imagine it without you. I would feel…I don't know…empty...and incomplete."

Their grips tightened on each other. The hanyou felt almost all physical barriers drop between them. She wasn't ashamed or scared of being touched or kissed by him and now InuYasha could kiss her whenever he wished, touch her and feel her skin without shame or resistance. Her taste was almost as intoxicating and alleviating as her scent. Their first kiss invoked some deep new feelings he didn't know were there, and they were all for her. Now he felt even more power to protect and care for her. He thought she felt the safest while in his embrace. Little did he know, she was thinking along the same lines.

And with a small kiss to her forehead and threading his fingers through her full black strands, a grin appeared, a genuine grin meaning that for the first time, he knew that life was looking up for him now; for the better. And he felt for sure that she felt it too. "So do I." He whispered softly into her hair.

What do you think? I think it was the best first kiss I've ever written! There will now be more Inu/Kag fluff and affection! YAY! I would love to hear from you!

Until next time...Ja Ne!