My eyes opened and then squinted as the sun shone down on my face. I raised my hand in front of my face as I stretched. Scanning the room in a half conscious state, I sat up trying to remember what happened last night. I felt something slide off of my body. I looked down and much to my surprise there was nothing underneath the cloth. I quickly grabbed it and pulled it up over my chest. I looked around more quickly.

"Oh yeah…" I said to myself. I sighed with relief as I remembered last night. I smiled slightly as I touched the swollen area on my neck. I was his, and he was mine. The mark symbolized a bond much more than a mere marriage. I kind of liked how powerful the bond was. In my "world" you can't guarantee that when you say till death do you part that the other really means it. This was absolutely final, for life.

I heard the reed curtain clatter quietly behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see my white haired hanyou walk in wearing only his hakama. In his hands he held two apples. He plopped down next to me, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked handing me one of the red fruits. I nodded as I took the apple. He smiled slightly, "Good…" He leaned against the wall taking a huge bite of the apple in his hand. I rolled the apple around in my hand as silence fell between us. Oddly enough, it wasn't awkward at all, we merely enjoyed each other's presence. I looked up when he inhaled deeply and sighed heavily. He looked at me with soft eyes. There were no words to be said. I simply looked back at him, smiling warmly.

"I love you," I whispered.

He smiled and took another bite of his apple. He reached out, grabbing my wrist with his calloused hands, and pulled me into his lap, holding me close to him as if I were too precious to let go of, "I love you too." He whispered as he nipped at my ear. I giggled as I pulled back from him. He caught my lips quickly and kissed my passionately. I pulled away smiling again. A low growl filled the room. I looked down at my stomach as Inuyasha chuckled. I took a huge bite of my apple as I readjusted myself in his lap.

"I have to go back home today." I said softly as I leaned against his chest. He wrapped one arm around my waist as he chewed slowly, "I kind of left with out telling anyone." I paused for a moment, "And I should at least explain to Hojo why I disappeared." I assumed Inuyasha would go into a jealous rage at the sound of Hojo's name, but nothing happened. I twisted around to look at him.

"What?" He raised his eyebrows. He threw the core of his apple into the fire pit.

"No fit?" I questioned.

"What do you mean?"

"Usually you completely freak out about things like this."

"Well," I felt his hands under me as he lifted my slightly to readjust his legs then placed my down again, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, "I figure you left him at the alter to find me and we totally did it last night… I don't think he has a chance in hell of getting you back." I looked away and pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. I was a little embarrassed about the whole "did it" phrase, but it passed quickly, "I'm not worried at all." He kissed my on the cheek. His kiss made my cheeks flush slightly, "I love it when you blush." He smiled making me turn an even brighter red. He chuckled.

"I think we should get going." I stood up to get dressed, but remembered all I had to wear was my wedding dress. I felt a light pull on my wrist. I looked down at Inuyasha. He held up his red kimono.

"You made a dress out of it before." I smiled and took it from him. This was a completely different side of him. He was thoughtful, caring, and soft. At first I thought it was too good to be true, but he showed me more than once that this side was here to stay. I took his kimono from him and slid it on. He stood as well and picked up his white kimono.

The present day was bright and sunny. Sakura petals fell and colored the shrine with specks of pink. I smiled and held out my hands catching a couple in my hands. It was such a perfect day until my eyes landed on Hojo's car sitting in my driveway. I slowly lowered my hands and sighed, "Well there goes my good mood."

I felt Inuyasha's hand wrap around my waist, "Everything will be alright," I looked up at his peaceful face. He laced his fingers within mine filling me with confidence, "C'mon." I sighed and allowed him to pull me towards the front door.

As we walked inside, the tension in the air hit me so hard it almost knocked me over. I walked down the hallway towards the living room and kitchen. It felt as if I was walking down death row, but Inuyasha's hand in mine kept me close to reality, or the dream reality we had created for ourselves. Before we rounded the corner into the kitchen, Inuyasha quickly snagged a baseball cap off a hook and placed it on his head. Everyone looked up. The awkwardness of stares almost made me throw up.

I smiled nervously, "H..hi everyone…?" My mother, my grandfather, and my mother just stared at me. What do you say to a bride who ran away from her own wedding when she walks with the one she left the groom for?

"You really did a number on that dress…" My mother said as she took the dress from Inuyasha. Apparently that's what you say. I shrugged in response. My grandfather stood up and walked out of the room. My mother placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, "Inuyasha, why don't you come with me for a moment."

He was hesitant to move at first, but realized my mother knew best, "I'll be right in the other room." He kissed my cheek and then unlaced his fingers. I smiled and watched him leave.

I slowly turned my head towards Hojo who stared straight at my. His eyes bore deep into me, as if he were trying to burn a hole through my eyes. I looked down, picking at my nail nervously. I looked up again after a long minute. His eyes still bore into me. I felt tears come to my eyes.

"Hojo, I'm sorry…" I blurted out, "I…" He held up a hand and turned away. I flinched. Then I asked the stupidest question in the world, "Are you angry?" I choked back tears.

He stood slowly and walked over to me, looking at me with such hate, I really thought he was going to slap me. To my surprise he answered with a soft, "No…"
I blinked in shock, "B…but… why?"

He sighed and shook his head, "I'll admit, at first I was furious." My eyes glanced quickly to the right then back at him, "But, I can't be angry."

I shook my head not understanding, "Hojo, how can you not be angry with me? I left you the alter, I'm wearing his shirt right now and only his shirt. I don't… how can you not be angry with me?"

"Because I saw the way he looks at you, and the way you look at him." I just stared at him as he continued, "You never look at me with those eyes." He took a piece of my hair and pushed it behind me ear, "As much as I love you, I can't compete with that. I just can't compete with him." He rested his hand on my shoulder, "I wish you nothing but happiness."

I smiled as a tear rolled down my cheek, "You too…" I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly, "I'm so sorry…" I choked out.

He pulled back and shook his head, "No, I am…" I cocked my head, "I'm sorry for keeping you away from him." He pulled out of the embrace, "I'm gonna head out now." He shrugged, "Maybe our paths with cross again."

I smiled, "I hope so…" He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my cheek. He smiled and then walked out of the room. I stood still as the sliding door opened and then closed again. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Strong hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me backwards, "Are you ok?" He asked in his soft voice.

I nodded and looked over my shoulder into his amber eyes. He nodded understanding what I said was true. I pulled from his embrace and began up the stairs. Inuyasha followed close behind.

I went up to my room, stripped off his kimono and pulled open my drawer. I fumbled threw pulling out a pair of underwear, a bra, and a pair of black leggings, and black pleated skirt, a red t-shirt, and a black vest. I quickly tied my hair into a high pony-tail. As soon as I was dressed my mother walked in. I stood there, a little nervous for her reaction to my return.

"Welcome home…" She said blankly, placing her hands on her hips, "What do you have to say for yourself?" I looked down at my feet, unsure of what to say. I felt like a little girl, ashamed that she had gotten all F's on her report card.

"I'm sorry…" I said meekly.

I felt warm arms wrap around me and hold me close, "Kagome, you don't need to apologize to me." My eyes snapped open, "I understand. You were confused, but its alright now," She pulled back from the hug, "But I am rather upset with you just leaving like you did." I looked down at my feet again, "But I understand why." She took a step back and pulled something out of her pocket, "Kane has been blowing up your phone all day. He says come to band practice today whenever you get around."

I sighed. I had kind of shoved my band mates to the side when Hojo proposed to me to begin planning the wedding, and they probably wanted to know what the hell was going on now. I took the phone from my mother and quickly text Kane.

'Reschedule for tomorrow… I have too much on my plate right now.'

"I'll go see them tomorrow." My mother nodded and left the room. Inuyasha sat on my bed looking at me with his soft eyes. I walked over to him and climbed into his lap, "Well, the worst of it is over." I sighed, "Maybe now I can pursue my band."

"You weren't going to before?" Inuyasha questioned and he repositioned to lay down on the bed. I laid next to him.

"It wasn't that, but if I married Hojo, it just didn't seem like I was going to have time for it anymore." I closed my eyes.

"But isn't it something you love?"

"More than anything…"

"Then why would you let him take that away from you?"

I shrugged, "I thought I loved him…" I looked over at him.

"I want you to be happy. If this band thing is what you want then go for it."

I rolled over onto my side looking at him, "You're so much more understanding now."

He rolled over onto his back, "Keh!" That was more of the Inuyasha I was used to. I smiled as I snuggled into him.

"Hey. Kagome?" He said after a long silence.

"Hmm…?" I asked as I drifted back towards consciousness.

"Did you put on some perfume or something?"

"Uh, uh…" I said shaking my head slightly.

"You smell different…" Inuyasha rolled back over and sniffed my hair. I shrugged. Maybe it was just something in my room.