Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Inuyasha, no matter how much I want to.

Last time: "Catching her breath she headed for the door, opened it then walked out as everyone turned to stare at her. "Sorry I'm la—"she met eyes with golden eyes, strong arms, silver hair, then darkness."


"Kagome, it's time to wake up! You said you wanted to go to the lake today." She rolled over and hid her face in the pillows trying to stay in the dreamland. "Kagome, don't be difficult, it's time to get up. Now, or I'm bringing in reinforcements!" Curious as to whom that would be she considered staying in bed. "Alright, you leave me no choice." Sango left and closed the door. A moment later it opened but no sound came. The weight on one side of the bed shifted down as someone got in next to her. Sesshomaru she thought. The blankets moved as he got under them, and she waited with baited breath for him to put his arms around her waist.

"Rise and shine, beautiful." A deep tenor voice said. Sesshomaru had started to put his hands around her waist but instead he slipped them under her shirt and onto her back. Kagome shrieked, and he smirked at his clever idea.

"Ice cubes!!! Are you kidding me!?" she jumped out of bed.

"I most certainly am not. You were warned to get up. You chose to ignore it, so you paid the price." She scoffed at him.

"Jerk."

"My pleasure."

"I'm going to get dressed now." She said opening the closet. Picking out a blue and white sundress she turned around to see Sesshomaru still lying in her bed. "Umm, you can go now."

"No, I will stay to make sure you don't get back in bed."

"You think you can stop me from getting back in bed?" she grinned evilly.

"Of course I can." She started to walk over to the bed on the side he was sitting on. Crawling on top of him she smiled and planted a kiss on both of his cheeks and then rolled off on the other side of the bed.

"Ah, but you see you didn't stop me, because now I am in bed."

"And that is where you went wrong." Now it was his turn to be evil. Pouncing on her, with his knees on either side of her hips, he started tickling her until she was screaming and laughing with tears in her eyes. Leaning down he whispered in her ear, "Are you going to get up now?" she nodded, and he kissed her lips quickly and got off leaving her to get changed. Running to the bathroom she turned the water on and got into the shower quickly washing up and getting out. Pulling on her dress she stepped out of her room and headed downstairs. "Glad you could join us."

"Whatever." She said as she stuck he tongue out.

"Be careful Kagome or we might have Sesshomaru take care of that tongue for us." Kagome blushed a deep red and everyone laughed at her expense.

"Let's eat shall we?" Sango said holding a plate of pancakes. After eating Sesshomaru announced that he would be driving his own vehicle to the lake.

"I'll go with you." Kagome said. Sesshomaru nodded. The house left 15 minutes later. Sesshomaru and Kagome walked to his car and opened the passenger side car door for Kagome. "Thanks," she said with a slight blush. Throughout the drive Sesshomaru asked Kagome questions about what she had been doing with her time since the accident, and listened as she explained all the things she did. When she asked him the same question he answered by telling her that after her "death" he went straight to work in China so that her mothers plan would work.

Arriving at the lake before Miroku and Sango, the couple parked and sat on the hood of Sesshomaru's car. "Kagome…" he paused and looked at her.

"Yeah? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong."

"Then what is it? You can't just stop talking like tha—" he pulled her into a loving embrace that she knew full well would not be happening if others were around. He may show her some emotions, but he never did in front of a crowd. Closing her eyes she wrapped her arms around his waist and basked in the moment.

"It was killing me. I agreed to working because it kept me from thinking of you. Headaches, I had them for months. I would drink myself into oblivion every night. Kagome, I missed you so much." He said in barely above a whisper. Tears came to her eyes, at the sound of his confession.

"It's alright now. I'm here, and I'm staying. Everything is going to be ok now. I promise." This is so unlike him… so I meant something to him after all. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Basking in the moment the couple were unaware of their company until Miroku cleared his throat. Blushing a little Kagome turned. "Oh, hello, glad you could finally join us."

"How long have you been here?" Sango asked.

"Not too long, maybe like 30 minutes?" she looked to Sesshomaru who nodded. "It's nothing to worry about though. So who's hungry?"

"Not yet. How about we play a game of volleyball before we eat?" Miroku piped up.

"Sounds good! Sesshomaru is on my team!!" Kagome shouted; volleyball was her favorite game. Running to the court after stealing the ball in Miroku's hand she started warming up. She served the ball and it landed out of the court and in the bushes. She heard a surprised cry from within them, and some rustling of the leaves.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" the voice of a child sounded. Kagome ran over to the bush and looked over them. Right there was sitting a small fox demon all alone, and looking quite scared.

"What are you doing here all by yourself? Are you parents around? What's your name?" she questioned. The boy looked stunned and even more scared thinking he was in trouble.

"Now, now Kagome, let's not scare him." Sesshomaru said from behind her.

"Humph… are you hungry little guy?" the boys eyes widened as he nodded yes. "Ok, well you come with us, and we'll figure out what's going on 'kay?"

"O-o-ok" he agreed. While the group was eating lunch Kagome discovered that the little boy was Shippo, and his mother had taken him to the park a day ago and while he was playing in the water she said she would be right back but never came back for him. When she asked about his father his eyes went misty and he said that his mother wasn't nice to him so he left one day when he was in school, and then he got in an accident and died. Kagome was almost brought to tears by this young demon's story. Stopping to think the situation over, and the options she finally spoke.

"Well then, since you're alone, why don't you stay with me? I could adopt you if you want?" Shippo's face lit up as he smiled and nodded.

"Thank you! I would like that very much!" having finished lunch and the very important conversation the group went to play volleyball in the sand courts. They played for most of the afternoon, only stopping for a break when the ice cream cart came around. Shippo gladly ate a chocolate cone while sitting on Kagome's lap. Going back to their game, an announcement came on the park's loud speakers. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! PLEASE STAY UNTIL 8 O'CLOCK TO SEE THE WEEKLY FIREWORKS SHOW!! Shippo looked over joyed at the announcement. "Kagome, can we stay for the fireworks? I've never gotten to see them!"

Looking around the group for approval, she turned to the little boy and nodded smiling, "Of course we can!"

After a few more hours of playing volleyball, and sitting out in the sun 8 o'clock when the fireworks started and it was too dark to see anymore. Pulling out the picnic blanket that the group had been using before Miroku, Sango, and Shippo sat down together while Sesshomaru and Kagome went to his car to get another blanket.

Holding hands they walked to the car, Kagome was smiling and laughing as they talked. When the couple got to the car Sesshomaru opened the door to the back seat and motioned for Kagome to get in, once they were both settled he leaned in towards Kagome's neck and started kissing it. Relaxing into his touch she leaned into his chest allowing him to embrace her as she ran her hands through his hair. He growled his approval. The first explosion went off and Kagome jumped. "It's alright, only the fireworks," Sesshomaru informed her breathlessly. She nodded.

"But we really should be getting back though." A little disappointed that their excursion had ended early Sesshomaru nodded and reached under the seat grabbing a blanket, and then helped Kagome out of his car. Grabbing his hand she leaned her head on his arm as she started walking. She was quickly stopped though when he didn't move. "Hum… what is it?"

He looked at her intensely and said, "Would you accompany me this evening at my lake house?" he smirked in the dark at her stunned face.

"Uh… yeah sure." She said blushing. Now he grasped her hand and started walking with her next to him as they went back to the group. Once there Sango turned to Kagome and gave a questioning glance, but didn't ask the question on the tip of her tongue. Where have you two been? Thinking to herself instead of potentially embarrassing Kagome with the question.

"Glad you could join us." Miroku said with a smile on his face, Kagome turned away blushing, and Sango smacked him. "What?!?"

"You know what." Kagome glanced her thanks at Sango, and the two girls got up and left to walk a bit. Once they were out of Sesshomaru's ear shot Sango started drilling the questions.

"He wants me to go to his lake house for the night."

"And?"

"I said yes. Would you mind taking Shippo home with you?"

"Sure thing, and when you get back tomorrow I want lots of details."

"Ha, ok." With that conversation finished they walked back laughing and talking to join the men. Kagome sat down on the blanket next to Sesshomaru and laid her head down on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. As he whispered sweet nothings in her ear, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes allowing her to only feel and hear him and nothing else.

"Well, I guess it's time to go. Shippo looks about ready to fall asleep. We'll take him home alright?" Sango asked.

"Yeah, see you guys tomorrow." Kagome replied.

"Night!" Shippo said running up to hug Kagome once before leaving. After walking to the parking lot the group went their separate ways and left the park. Kagome held Sesshomaru's hand all the way back to the car until he opened her door for her, and then walked back to his side to get in. He started up the car and sped off to his lake house, in a hurry because he didn't want his preparations to be in vain.

Pulling up the driveway he ran out of his seat and got to Kagome before she could even think. He then picked her up bridal style and carried her to the kitchen, where he had a meal prepared for them. The island bar table was lit with two candles and Kagome's favorite dishes were laid out. "Are you hungry?" He whispered in her ear, making her shiver as she nodded taking the fork next to her plate and ate in small bites but soon found she wasn't hungry at all. While she was eating she hadn't noticed that Sesshomaru wasn't with her anymore. Getting up she cleared her plate then put it in the dishwasher, and covered all the leftovers and put them away. Just as she went to start washing a pan a hand twisted around her waist and she jumped. "Don't worry, its only me." Sesshomaru's baritone voice said in a whisper. Immediately she relaxed as he ran his hands up her arms, and then snaked them back down to her hands, as he kissed her neck. She turned around and he lifted her onto the counter. He put his hands on her waist just under her shirt as she laced her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer, he kissed her, and just like that both of their controls were gone, and they enjoyed a night of passion together.

Kagome's POV

A bright light shone in my face, I opened my eyes slightly and noticed that a huge glass window had its curtains pulled back and I had a full view of the mountains and the lake. It was a beautiful sight. I rolled over hoping to run into Sesshomaru, but when I didn't I panicked. I looked around the room and noticed there were at least four doors. Getting up out of bed I went to the first doors, I opened it and was overwhelmed with the scent of Sesshomaru, and his clothes, a closet. I closed that door and moved to a pair of double doors, and I was greeted with an indoor spring and bathroom. I decided that taking a bath would ease my nerves and Sesshomaru would probably come back when I was finished, so I got in and closed my eyes relaxing and letting the minerals in the water work their magic on my sore body. It was so calming I didn't notice when Sesshomaru came in, until he once again tried to kill me with his sneakiness. "How are you feeling this morning?" he chuckled as I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"I'm fine thank you." My stomach growled, and I blushed, "do you have any food?

"Of course my dear, it's waiting for you in the bedroom." After that he left, and I changed into a dress I found on a hanger, then I walked into the bedroom and Sesshomaru was sitting at a table by the huge window, reading a newspaper. "Come, sit and enjoy the view with me." I nodded and sat down to eat breakfast. I noticed that he was acting strange, like he had something important to say, or wanted to ask me something.

"Are you alright?" I asked. He nodded.

"I'm fine." Raising an unbelieving brow, I forced him to push forward and speak. "Just thinking."

"Come on, you can tell me." His reply threw me off completely.

"Marry me." I stared at him, my eyes filling up with tears of joy. "Marry me, and you'll always be safe. You won't have to worry about your mother or Naraku." I was completely speechless. So I did the only thing I could to tell him yes. I walked around the table and kissed him passionately; nodding my head once we broke for air.

"When?" I asked.

"Today, tomorrow, whenever you want." I smiled as I knew I had finally gotten him back, and he was mine forever.

A/N::OH JEEZ! I'm so sorry it took me so long to update!! I've been insanely busy, with moving, and volleyball, and now school has started. So I decided to end this story here, and I'll make a sequel, starting around December, when I go on winter vacation. Because right now I just don't have the time to write. Watch out for the sequel.

Once again, sorry it took so long. Ciao!