Author's Note: Enjoy! I think you'll like this.

Thou Shall Learn to Forgive

The days went by faster than I'd expected. I've gone nearly three months without a single word from Mama or Daddy. The Verizon phone service she had was disconnected. Figures that was my father's handy work. Probably as punishment to me as well as her for the support she had in my decision.

I kept mostly to myself throughout the day, avoiding company and just going with the flow of things. I wanted to be optimistic about this whole setup.

Really, after we were used to it and fixed up the whole country home, it was a great place to live in. Kind of like one of those old-fashioned Southern Living houses, you saw in the magazines. The place wasn't entirely up to standards until we all bought everyone their own color themes. Mine was this nice eggshell cream, with peach curtains, and a throw rug with a tiger print. Don't judge me. I like these soft colors. Red is my favorite, no doubt, but I wouldn't be able to deal with all that rosy, bloody brightness every day.

Attending school was getting easier after we'd worked out a routine. Every other day one of the older guys would drive us to school, wait and when it came time for us to leave they'd be there waiting. I always sat in the back. Again, this isn't to be anti-social. I wasn't feeling up to being chatty. Many times I just wanted to think, let my mind wander and daydream.

It's one of the reasons why I've taken to sitting out by that old oak tree about a few yards from the house. Koga and me worked together to fix a swing bench attached to about four sets of rope just to make sure the damn thing didn't collapse under us. We used Naraku as a test dummy and sure enough, it did fall. It took several tries before it was able to support up to four people at once. A large yellow seat cushion was stabled on, so now it could pretty much double as one of those hammocks; only with wood. This was where I was now, or where most of them knew to find me during the late afternoon. I'd have a book in hand or my homework and just be here studying or reading.

I couldn't read much of my Nancy Drew novel because my mind refused to focus. It was busy trying to conjure up images of Sesshomaru. Being around him day in and day out was like waving honey in front of a bear. I wanted him, I desired him, I was alone with him. Yet, as tempting as these facts were, I couldn't bring myself to be open to him. It was too soon. The wound he slashed on my heart was too raw. Seeing him only seemed to make it bleed more.

I knew he'd want to talk. The way he'd look at me when we had dinner with everyone or when they hung out in the living room and I'd disappear upstairs, I know he'd stare until I was gone. One day I'd finished showering downstairs. I had no idea everyone else had gone out to take a drive around town. Sesshomaru hadn't gone. He emerged from the kitchen wearing some baggy Levi jeans, a dirty brown wife beater and some Dirty Buck shoes.

Me, well, I did just got done getting clean. All I had to cover myself was a white terry towel around my neck, one around my waist and the evidence of his body wash on my body. His nostrils flared. My cheeks turned into my favorite color when his eyes got all dilated and glossy. I could smell the pheromones oozing from his pores and it drove my mind insane.

"Hey," he started.

"Hey," I returned because that was all I could muster under pressure.

Sesshomaru had basket of dirty clothes under his arm and a jug of bleach and Gain washing powder in his other hand.

"Gonna wash?" I asked, making small conversation.

"Yeah, I wanted to get a head start before they got back. You know it's hard doing anything with so many folks around here."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I know."

He chuckled too, then his face solemn up. He didn't disguise the way his eyes skated from the tip of my ears to the balls of my feet. Water was still clinging to my arms and chest, some droplets lazily trickling over my muscles. Sesshomaru looked hungry. I felt this dreadful groan escape my mouth before I could block it with my tongue. I swallowed and took a step back.

I jerked my thumb over my shoulder, never letting my eyes stray far from his. "I'm gonna, um, just head on upstairs," I mumbled like a deer caught in the headlights. I was afraid to turn my back to him. No, not afraid, maybe a little nervous.

Sesshomaru slowly placed his basket and washing things on the floor, dusting his hands on his pants. I blinked up at his face. There wasn't a telltale sign of what he planned to do. His expression was stoic and steaming all at the same time, if that were possible. Whatever the case, I didn't plan to stick around to see what his intentions were. I took another step backwards and was surprised when he matched me per step.

"I got homework."

Sesshomaru nodded.

"And, I need to study for a test this Friday."

He took another step forward.

"My room, I gotta go clean my room." I couldn't be near him. He was too close. I wasn't dressed properly for this. I did an about-face and aimed for the stairwell. Staring into those honeysuckle eyes was only going to hypnotize further.

I made it three, four, five steps before Sesshomaru caught my hand and then my other. Breathing became a foreign memory, lost between my chest and my throat. I tugged at my hands, muscles suddenly weak and limp.

"Inuyasha." Sesshomaru urged me backwards, stopping just before our bodies touch. It didn't matter. The heat from his breathing, the overall warmth he was extruding like a furnace were sinking into my moist skin. My core thrummed with this burn, a sizzling reminder that this man could be lethal and sexually dangerous for my health.

Starting at my shoulders, Sesshomaru ran his hands down the length of my arms, then back up, barely there and alluring. My eyes fluttered shut as a wave of emotions washed over me. God, why was it I loved his touch? I liked it too much. He just did things to me I wish I was immune to. But my body betrayed me. Rows of goosebumps aroused on my skin where they sensed Sesshomaru's contact and beneath my towel was a stirring rod ready to be stroked.

"Inuyasha." Sesshomaru's voice was gentle, yet it seemed to vibrate through my entire body. "Can you turn around?"

I didn't want too. I shook my head no.

"Please."

Fuck. My conscience needs to be traded in. I turned around, looking down at our feet. Mine were bare and his were stuck inside some big ass shoes. Jesus, his feet were massive. Compared to mine they looked like some ships missing their sails.

I was startled when Sesshomaru's finger went under my chin and lifted my face up, forcing me to become trapped by his haunting gaze. They were so bright, open and magnetizing. This time, I really was scared. This close, I could see everything in those eyes, the power they had over me. At this point, if he told me to do anything, I'd do it. That's what scared me. I didn't want to be like that.

His eyes roamed over my face, down my neck, settled over the motion of my chest and rose up, stopping at my lips. He licked his own. I felt the shakes erupting from inside. Closing my eyes, I waited for the evitable to happen. Whatever did happen, I'd only have myself to blame for being so weak.

I heard his sigh before I felt his lips . . . they touched my forehead, lingering. Sesshomaru kissed that top for a moment and laid his forehead on mine as if to stamp that kiss there forever. His fingers squeezed my upper arms.

"Inuyasha, look at me."

I struggled to open my eyes. When I did, I couldn't believe his were closed.

"It's so hard seeing you every day, knowing I can't have you," he said softly. He brought his fingers to my mouth and traced the heart-shaped line, not once opening his eyes. "This power you have over me is scary as hell."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, unsure what to say.

He smiled at that. "You can't apologize for something you're not doing on purpose.

I thinned my lips and squirmed. "Sesshomaru—"

His fingers stilled over my mouth. "I know, I won't push you. It's just—God, Inuyasha I want you so bad. I've never felt like this for anyone."

Why the hell couldn't I breathe? It's as if every word leaving those gorgeous lips came with glue. I wanted to speak, wanted to say something, but what? What could I say? I'm so confused.

Suddenly the air around me disbursed into a world of chill. Sesshomaru stepped away, taking all of his body heat with him. I found myself reaching for him, but restrained myself. I hated that defeated tone in his voice. I know I was the cause of it.

"I said I'd wait and I will," Sesshomaru grunted as he bent down to get his basket and supplies. He turned to me, a soft smirk on his face. "I mean that Inuyasha. I'm gonna wait for as long as you want me to. Just know when you're ready to be in my arms, I'm gonna treat you like the king you deserve to be." He winked and started down the hall where I stood motionless. He stopped by my side and dropped a long, open-mouth kiss on my cheek. "I promise." Then he was gone, leaving me with a branded heart and a giant smile on my face.

Since that time, things hadn't been so awkward around us. I caught myself returning his smiles when he looked at me. We hardly spoke around each other. Our actions spoke louder anyway. The air around us wasn't full of tension, there were moments where all I wanted to do was look at him go about his daily routine.

Miroku caught me a few times ogling Sesshomaru's ass and made sure the whole house knew about it. I tried to kill that fool every chance I got. Talking with the rest of the crew was still taking a little getting used too, but I was trying.

I didn't fully break into being around everyone until another month had passed. It was during dinner. It was my turn to cook this time and I was making stuffed peppers with mashed potatoes and stuffed tomatoes. Everyone was in the dining room laughing, chuckling, telling jokes and just having a jolly good time. I was placing the compacted veggies on plates, sloping heaps of mashed potatoes on the plates when I heard a deep voice blow in my hear.

"That smells good."

I whirled around and popped Sesshomaru on the hand when he reached for a roll. He rubbed it looking offended.

"No," I said sternly. It was the first time we'd taken to playing around with each other. It was a refreshing step forward. "You, go back in there and wait like everybody else."

"But I'm hungry now. You can sneak me a lil' piece."

"No, I cannot. Go away, shoo, your breath's killing me."

"Say what?" Sesshomaru blew in the palm of his hand and sniffed. "You lie, wait," he did it again and double checked. "My breath doesn't stink. That's all this spoiled beef you cooked in here."

I snorted. "You're the one that bought it."

"Only because you said you were tired of eating pork."

"I got tired of asking Mr. James down the street to kill those pigs! Go knock off one of those cows or something. Especially that bull. I saw him eyeballing my red shirt the other day."

"He probably thought you looked good in it."

"Pfft, I look good in anything."

"Yeah, you do. You got me there," Sesshomaru raised up his hands, but his left index pointed down at the ladle spoon smeared with mash potatoes. "Can I have little bit for the compliment?"

"I gotta pay you for being polite?" I teased.

"No, but I love the way you cook. It tastes almost as good as my mama's."

"Well, since you put it like that." Because really, who can ignore a compliment like that? I picked up the spoon and held it out to his mouth. "Say ahhh."

Sesshomaru opened his mouth wide. Inuyasha dipped the spoon inside. The entire silver circle disappeared inside the coral pink pothole. Something as simple as licking the spoon clean shouldn't have become erotic but with Sesshomaru anything was possible. He'd leaned forward and wrapped his lips, teeth and tongue around the metal utensil, lapping at the oozing butter, bits of salt and creamy smooth excess that escaped his mouth.

It should've been clean by now right? Not that I was complaining. I could watch him molest this spoon all day. . .

Sesshomaru's mouth slipped away. He reached up and took ahold of wrist, holding the spoon in place as he licked around his lips. "Mmm, damn boy you can cook." He hummed, noisily finishing up the side dish. "Mm, shit, how you make this taste so good?"

"I-I, uh, just some milk and butter." Whelp, there goes my dignity. Shot out the window to fly off with the pretty blue jays.

"That's it? No special kind of ingredient only you know about?" Sesshomaru stuffed his hands in his pockets and started rocking back and forth on his heels with a look like he knew I was hiding something. "Come on, you can tell me. I promise, it'll be our little secret. What, you putting dirt in there? I thought it taste kind of crunchy."

That snapped me right out of my mental rave to shot the dirtiest look in the universe. "No, I just used the gunk between my toes. Gotta give it that creamy feel, ya know?"

Sesshomaru's nose wrinkled in disgust. "You're sick."

"Hey," I shrugged. I turned my back to him and went back to setting out dinner. "Go ahead and tell 'em dinner's served. Can you ask what they want to drink too? I'm not gonna make more than one trip. Thanks."

"Sure."

I stood there waiting to hear his footsteps echo out into the dining room. A few seconds passed and still no sound of sock clad feet walking away. I looked over my shoulder. "Sesshomaru, you heard me?" Bad idea to look back. You'd think I'd learn by now not to get ensnared by those damn eyes.

Sesshomaru angled his head back, cocked to the side, studying my face, my neck, my everything. My face burned like the surface of a stove as a I cleared my throat and went back to scrapping the peppers on the plate.

"Sesshomaru?"

"Hm?"

"Do you mind?" I said a little snippily.

"Do I mind what?"

"Can you not stand there undressing me with your eyes?" I put the spatula to the side to give him my full attention. This time, it was his turn to look away from my gaze. I wasn't having any of that. I pinched his chin and turned him back to face me. "Is that what you're doing? Undressing me?"

Sesshomaru licked his lips. "How many lies do I get before you kick me out?"

"None."

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes up, tooting his lips to the side playfully. "I wasn't exactly undressing you down to your Skippy's. I was just wondering what you'd look like in my t-shirt cooking for me."

My face got so red I could've broke the thermostat. I balled my lips up to lick them and to prevent a stupid smile from spreading across my face. I shook my head. "You're a nut."

"Nuts about you."

"Whatever." I was about to pop with all this fuzzy warmth in my belly. This was flirting, right? There wasn't anything wrong with flirting. "You don't have anywhere else to be?"

"I am where I wanna be," Sesshomaru smirked. "I wanna be around you. Am I bothering you?"

"Nah, you can stand there, but all you're doing is gettin' in my way." There was a bowl of green apples we got from one of the neighbors down the road. I shoved his shoulder to move him to the side. "See?" I grabbed one and took a bite. "You're in my way."

"Whatever, like you really want that apple."

"How do you know?"

"You don't even like apples."

"Yeah, I do."

"No you don't."

"How do you know?"

"'Cause." Sesshomaru caught my wrist and yanked me forward. He squeezed and brought my handful of apple to his mouth, taking a large wet, crunchy bite. "I like apples." Once again, I was reduced to a mute watching his mouth wind around the sweet and sour apple bite. Sweet baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, what the hell? Was the air-conditioning broke? I blinked when his mouth opened and words came out.

"What?"

"I said when you gonna lemme get a bite of your apple?"

I blinked, catching on. "Nah, hell no. I don't know where your teeth have been. Get outta here," I pushed at him, chuckling. "You play too much."

Sesshomaru instantly whirled around and got behind me. I was expecting him to do some childish shit like pushing me back or dropping the apple in my shirt. It was much worst. His fingers snuck under my armpits and from there, I started squealing like a bitch. That motherfucker was laying on a nasty tickle attack under my arms and sides, scrapping up and down my ribs.

I shrieked and wiggled all over the kitchen, slapping at his hands, laughing out and hysterically.

"Sesshomaru—Sesshomaru, I swear to god, you fuckin' ass! STOP, WILL YA?! CHRIST, YOU BASTARD!"

"Me thinks ya don't know what ya want!" Sesshomaru cackled evilly, raking his fingers even faster.

I was defenseless, dancing on my toes, trying to escape his wrath. No matter how hard I squirmed and moved, he was right there stuck to me like glue. I was in tears, chortling wildly.

"Sess—Sesshomaru, I swear I'll fuckin' kill you, just stop!"

"Say I'm the best and I will!"

"Hell will freeze over!"

"Then the devil better put on his long Johns!" Sesshomaru was relentless. The tickling rapidly escalated. I couldn't believe the nerve of this asshole. My sides were killing me, but it hurt so good.

I had no way to escape from Sesshomaru's crazy fingers. He knew where my tickle spots were. Hell, he used to use it against me as a kid. That's fine, I knew where his weaknesses were too.

"Ok, fine, you wanna play it like that?" I said between shrieks. "Cool, I got cha!"

Sesshomaru looked at me like he had no idea what I was talking about. That's exactly how I wanted it. I wrenched myself free and put some distance between us. I took a stance and sprinted forward, knocking us both to the floor. I wrestled him between my thighs and locked his arms to his sides.

"You wanna be like that? Time for some payback!" This dude was about to scream. I pushed back all his hair from his face and grinned.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened. "Inuyasha, you wouldn't—"

"Watch me." My grin could scare the Grinch into therapy. I found those pointy ears of his and started drumming my fingers along the shell.

Sesshomaru's bottom lip sucked between his teeth to prevent the very unmanly squeal from erupting from this throat. I knew deep down inside this massive heap of sexy muscles, and hair was a little four-year-old girl ready to bloom. Oh, but he was so weak when it came to his ears. I ran my fingers over them, toyed around the tips and tickled around the lobes.

Sesshomaru snorted hard and burst into a fit of girlie giggles. He shook his head desperately to get away from my dastardly hands, but just as he was merciless against me, he was going to get this tenfold. The part around his neck was especially sensitive so I went to work teasing it too. Sesshomaru erupted into a scream and barked wildly wiggling to get free.

"See? Yeah, yeahhhh, that's what you get for fuckin' with me!"

"Inu-Inuyasha-hahahaha! Get off, I'll kick your ass!"

"Yeah right, as if! No mercy asshole!"

I hadn't had this much fun in forever. And then, it all came tumbling down in my mind like a sack of bricks. I suddenly realized the position we were in and boy, my face grew super-hot. I couldn't let on to the obvious situation, so I continued messing around with Sesshomaru's face. Now that the circumstances were made clear, it was a little difficult to save face. Sesshomaru's arms got loose, flailing all over the place. Something in my stomach boiled and sunk to the floor. Before I knew it, Sesshomaru was breathing hard and my own was trying to catch up. My fingers were wrapped around Sesshomaru's neck, resting. Sesshomaru's eyes slowly narrowed, his smile vanished. There was no pretending the tension and heat felt in the kitchen was coming from the stove.

Sesshomaru rolled himself up, reclining on the back of his hands. I was still in his lap, straddling him like it was an everyday occurrence. Catching my breath, I leaned away a little and smirked. Sesshomaru's lopsided grin met mines and we just, kind of looked at each other. I noticed a moment later that our crotches were giving off this musky heat and suddenly I really needed to get away. My body wasn't up for taking any commands.

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. "See what happens when you mess with the big dogs? You get into shit you can't get out of—"

Sesshomaru cupped his hand over mine. I froze. We locked eyes and just, sat there. I was worried about moving an inch. The spell or whatever kind of force we were trapped in was sure to break and I don't think I want it to. Sesshomaru squeezed my hand and leaned in. What was he going to do? I couldn't breathe. I couldn't speak. He was getting so close. I could smell him.

I flinched when he cupped my face, rubbing my cheek with his thumb. I couldn't resist leaning into the caress, nudging it with my nose. Who knew this guy could be as soft and gentle as he was being right now. Of course, like all good things, trust Koga to bring them to a screeching halt.

"What the hell does a guy hafta' do to get somethin' in his belly?"

Koga stopped in the kitchen opening. His blue eyes became three sizes too big for his face, an almost comical expression if I were in a laughing mood. Now from his standpoint, it looked like I was giving Sesshomaru a joyride. We all know the real story. There was no point in even trying to explain my way out of this. I just groaned and hide my face in Sesshomaru's neck.

"Hey," Sesshomaru patted my back, while looking at Koga. "This ain't what it looks like."

Koga held up his hands. "Yo' whatever ya wanna do is your business." He gestured towards the plates. "Just don't touch my shit is all I'm asking."

"We didn't do anything," I stressed angrily. "I mean it Koga. Don't go runnin' your damn mouth—"

"Run my mouth—me run my mouth? Oh no. I wouldn't dare. Who am I going to tell except Miroku, Hakudoshi, Naraku, Shiori and Ayame? I mean, who'd believe me? By the way," Koga whipped out his cell phone and took several pics. He didn't look the least bit like someone who was guilty of blackmailing his friends. "Ain't no way you're gonna deny this one."

"Koga!" We snapped as once.

"Inuyasha, Sesshomaru!" He snapped back. "Stop fuckin' in the kitchen and bring us our food!" He stepped out of the kitchen yelling at the top of lungs. "OK guys, I found these two up in here about to get busy around our food!"

"Say what? You lie!" That was Hakudoshi's raspy shriek.

"Nah, I ain't playin' babe. I got the picture proof and everything." Koga tossed an evil grin at us before strolling out of the kitchen, saluting his farewell with his phone.

I sighed and buried my face back in Sesshomaru's shoulder. I really didn't feel like answering the barrage of questions sure to be fired at us as soon as we walked in the dining room.

Sesshomaru rubbed little circles on his back. "Don't worry about that. You know Koga thinks he's funny."

"Don't worry? Why? You don't have to face ridicule," I grumbled, annoyed. "I know they're gonna be laughin' now."

". . . What are you talkin' about?"

I lifted my head to look at him. "What do you think I'm talkin' about?"

"I don't know. You tell me."

I rolled my eyes and flipped my leg off. "You know what I mean," I climbed up to my feet and straightened out my jeans and grey t-shirt. "I gotta get back to dinner."

"Wait a minute." Sesshomaru rose to his feet and yanked me around. "Forget dinner. They can wait or come get the shit themselves. Why the hell you think they'll laugh at you?" He folded his arms across his wide chest.

I did the same, bolding lifting my chin to face his scrutinizing gaze. "Ain't that kind of obvious, Sesshomaru? I was the one who got victimized. I don't want them getting ideas that I'll get back with you just like that."

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru chuckle didn't have a shred of humor. "I thought we were trying to work things out. I said I'd be patient. I apologized for my mistake. I've begged for your forgiveness over and over again. I mean damn, what else you want me to do? Spell it out in the sky? They're over it. No one is gonna judge you for getting back with me. And who the hell cares what everyone else thinks? This is between you and me."

I wanted to hit him for making so much sense. Why'd he have to be the one showing mature about this. I looked away from his face to glare at the wall. "I'm not weak."

"What?"

"I said I'm not weak," I said louder. "I don't wanna look weak crawling back to you after what happened."

"How are you going to look weak?"

"I—I don't know. It'll just look like I'm giving you a freebie to get away with what you did."

"Again who gives a flyin' fuck what everyone else thinks!"

"I do!" I huffed and stalked away from him. He was too close. It was getting harder to think with him around.

"So, lemme get this straight. You're seriously tellin' me that the reason we haven't gotten together yet is because you're stuck in the past and you're more worried about what they're going to think of you rather then what you really want? Are you pullin' my leg right now Inuyasha?"

I whirled around on him. "Don't belittle me Sesshomaru. You're making it sound so—so dumb, like my reason doesn't make sense!"

"That's because it doesn't! None of what you said is even remotely logical. Now, tell me what's really going on!"

I rolled my eyes because anything else like blinking or closing my eyelids would force that fucking sting in the back of my eyes to turn to tears. I was fed up with this conversation and my throat was getting cloaked.

"I don't wanna talk anymore," I choked, rubbing under my nose. "Just leave me alone."

"That's the problem right there Inuyasha," Sesshomaru strained to keep his anger from building. "I'm being patient and I promised I'd wait, but it's so hard. Baby, I try and try every day to prove to you that I'm not going to do anything to hurt you again."

I closed my arms around myself and edged away. I was getting scared. He was hitting too close to home. The truth was too clear for him not to realize the implications behind why I'm so hesitated to start anew with him.

Realization took a long while to dawn on Sesshomaru he took a deep breath and released it through his nose. "That's what it is? You still think I'm gonna hurt you . . ." Sesshomaru groaned miserably, running a tired hand over his hair. "I really don't know what else to do. I don't. I just—I'm trying, I am. I'm so confused. I want you, but I can't have you. I hate this. . . I hate it."

I hated that broken tone in his voice. When I turned to see him, I sobbed deep in my chest. The man before me was slumped over on the kitchen counter with his face buried in his arms. His shoulders were drooped, lost of their confident poise and his legs looked ready to collapse under him. None of it fit the Sesshomaru I knew. I sniffled and approached. Listening close, I could hear the unsteady breathing inside the dark enclosure of his arms and the way he tried to hold on to being strong.

I swallowed, rubbing up and down my arms. I felt so cold. The cozy atmosphere we'd shared was dissolved into this icy box.

"I'm scared," I bit off softly.

Sesshomaru took forever to lift his head and face me.

I returned his gaze with a calm expression, but there was nothing I could do about the tears breaking from my eyes.

"I'm scared of getting hurt again. You—you have no idea what you do to me. You've been my whole world since I was a kid." I gave him a watery smile. "I used to get ready for church just so I'd get a chance to see you. I wanted to see you sing in the choir, play on the playground with the rest of the kids and just be around you. So, when you finally, finally decided to look at me as something more than a little kid, I was—I was so happy."

Sesshomaru frowned and stepped forward, but didn't make a move to touch me.

"Someone like you wanted to get with someone like me. That was a dream come true for me. I got to share so many of my firsts with you." My stomach hurt so much the more I confessed to everything. It was just pouring out of me like a broken faucet. "So how do you think I felt to learn all of it was a fuckin' lie? You made me fall for you Sesshomaru! That's why I'm so damn scared to get back with you! I can't let it happen again! You broke my heart—do you know what that means?" I was screaming by now, heart on fire and my chest thick with fright as I glared at him. My world was blurry and watered down, but I could still see him standing there.

Sesshomaru held out his hand. "Inuyasha—"

"I love you, Sesshomaru!" I shouted hysterical and just about out of my mind. "I fucking love you so much! It hurts so damn bad, I can feel the pain when I breathe. You mean so much to me!" I had to grab something to keep from collapsing on the floor. That pain, it was here with me, devouring me from the inside out. "I wanna be with you, I want it so much, but I can't go through that again—I can't please, I can't. I dealt with that agony for weeks by myself. You have no idea how much I care about you. I slept thinking about you. I dreamed about you, thought about you, you're all I wanted. I always wanna be there. I wanna be your one and only. I want it to be real!"

I couldn't take much more of it. My legs buckled beneath me and bent. I could no longer hold myself up to see how Sesshomaru would react. Whether it was good or bad, I don't think I'll be ready to handle it.

I was expecting to hit the wooden floor, feel the matted rug under my cheek. I felt something different. Something so warm, comforting and strong held me. These arms were wrapped around my waist, my face was pressed into hot cloth and the smell of Sesshomaru. I clung to it, my small escape from what might come.

"Inuyasha . . . oh baby, you don't know." Sesshomaru tenderly kissed my temple, kissed my forehead and held me close. "Is that what's got my heart thumpin' like that every time I see you? Is that why I can't breathe whenever I see your smile? Is that why I get so dreamy eyed when I smell you near. . ." He cupped my face and held it near. His smile drew a harsh choke from my throat. "I love you too."

My heart skipped a beat. Had he. . . did he really just—

"Sesshomaru, please, please," I begged, "don't just say that to me."

"No, no, Inuyasha, I'm not just sayin' it. I mean it. See feel it." Sesshomaru took my hand and placed it over his chest. Beneath my palm was the thunderous pa-thump, pa-thump of a strong beating heart. "That's you, Inuyasha. All you. No one else has ever, ever made me feel like this. Baby, please believe me. That's all it can be is love for you."

"Sesshomaru," I crooned and closed my eyes. "Please." I didn't know what more I was asking for. It just seemed, felt like something else was missing. I clung to his shirt. I stepped forward and leaned in.

Sesshomaru carefully laid his mouth on me and at once, this bizarre roar of fire exploded in my body. My stomach performed somersaults, anxiously feeling weak in the knees. Sesshomaru cupped the back of my head and thrust his tongue inside my mouth, stroking, feeling and petting over my moist insides. I wrapped my arms around his neck and dragged him as close as we could be. I wanted to blend in with him, become one. I wanted to feel it what was it like to be the same in mind, body and soul with Sesshomaru. He wanted to feel it too. He dug his pelvis against me as we backed into the kitchen counter and worked in this slow, leisure grind. The kiss became aggressive, the noise loudly and wetly smacking skin against skin.

"Shit, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru murmured in my mouth without breaking the entire kiss.

I liked that growling sound he made when I nipped his bottom lip. He was like an animal. He had a sound for everything I touched. He moaned when my fingers stroked the center of his neck. His body hummed when I massaged his scalp. The way he curled into me said he was ready to take as much from me as I was willing to give. He didn't fail to return the same kind of affection. His oversized hands were suction cupped to my ass cheeks, squeeze and pressing me hard into his suddenly elongated dick.

"Oh God," I kissed and panted. "I love you, I love you so much," I kissed him all over his face, under his jaw and strayed down to suck the skin on his neck.

"I love you too, shit, so damn much," Sesshomaru growled into my collarbone. He hiked up on the counter and stepped between my open thighs. Something metal crash on the floor. I didn't care what it was. I had what I wanted in my arms.

"Ahhh, fuck!"

I heard the outraged bark from the side. I reluctantly broke the kiss, but Sesshomaru viciously sucked my neck like a vampire until the skin turned purple.

Koga and Naraku were in the doorway, wearing identical expressions of anger and mild intrigue. They looked at the splatter of food on the floor that used to be their dinner and then at Sesshomaru's possessive assault on my body.

"AIn't this about a bitch?" grumbled Koga. "Yo' hello! Somebody gonna clean this up?"

Sesshomaru pulled back with this lethal look of death. "Koga, so help me, if you don't get the fuck up outta here, I'll castrate your dick and feed it to ya!"

Koga's mouth dropped. Naraku threw a two-finger salute and promptly left with Koga in tow. But with the interruption, came the sudden realization of what happened. I dropped my face on Sesshomaru's shoulder, trying to collecting my composure. The others were grumbling in the dining room. I heard the front door open and close a few minutes later. There was no telling how long I stayed there, warm and relieved in Sesshomaru's arms.

It was quiet.

We were alone.

We were in love.

Maybe that's why I asked him to. . . "Make love to me."

TBC: It's late. Please forgive the mistakes. One more chapter after this guys! Thank goodness.