Ancient Feelings

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

A/N: Okay, I think there's only one more chapter to go and we're all done. I hope you enjoyed this chapter; I enjoyed writing it :)

"Things are going just fine, Sango; let me breathe for a second, will you? And please, pass me the salt as you do, if it is not too much trouble," Kagome said, busying herself with a new recipe. She didn't even look away from the pots and kitchen tools as she reached her hand to grab the salt-cellar Sango unmistakably handed over.

"You know, you do not have to do this. I have told you before, have I not?" Sango asked, her tone giving away her irritation, "We do have servants that cook."

"I know. It is just that," Kagome trailed off as she stirred the cream for the upcoming dessert. "It gives me something to do," she admitted in a low voice, but suddenly became very cheerful and lively as if her recent gloomy disposition hadn't been there at all. She threw a bright smile at Sango as she kept rushing around in the kitchen, making sure nothing was overcooked.

"At this pace I should hire you as our new cook," Sango joked, joining Kagome into a wholehearted giggling fit.

But things were far more serious. A couple of months had passed and both Inuyasha and Kagome were still not ready to face their obvious feelings. They had got closer; that much was true. Unless they still didn't believe Naraku had done it to them, they were aware of each other's innocence. In all truthfulness, Sango longed for the days she would blush at the amount of public affection the young couple would to display. Now they were so shy around one another… always reserved. Would they ever really forgive each other? Would they ever move on with their lives?

She hoped they would, but not separately.

Sometimes, Sango debated whether to throw Kagome out of her house. Maybe instil a fight as a pretext. Kagome would surely have to leave her and Miroku's house and go to Inuyasha's, wouldn't she? But what if she found someone else to go to, instead? What if she went to Kaede's? After all, she had taken a liking to the old woman she was now training.

Of all the times she could be meddling in the already frail relationship Kagome and Inuyasha had, Sango decided this was not the most suited one. They had to straighten things up for themselves, unless they wanted an awkward life.

Things could not look less promising.

"My Lord, are you sure you should not pay Miroku and Sango a visit?" Myouga, Inuyasha's vassal asked wittily then visibly flinched when his master threw a glare his way.

"How many times have I told you, old flea, that I do not want you interfering with my affairs!" Inuyasha bellowed, his unfounded anger getting the best of his already fragile nerves.

"But it is not an affair, my Lord! It is a marriage," Myouga reminded him deftly, instantly avoiding the punch that was meant for him. It was an advantage to be a flea demon; bigger demons could not catch him at times, when he was really swift.

"Get back here, you bloody coward! And stop playing with words!"

While Inuyasha was chasing the older demon around, uselessly trying to catch him and beat the life out of him, the servants announced a visitor, but they would not say who it was.

"Very well," Inuyasha said, straightening himself and rushing back to the sofa he had been standing on minutes prior. "Let them in," he ordered with a dismissive flick of his wrist.

It was already evening, Inuyasha realised, as the sky was draped with an impressive dark light that had a shiny quality to it. Suck a beautiful window view always made him think of Kagome, and this was not an exception. Her midnight dark hair was always silky-soft to the touch, and it resembled the wavy clouds on the deep, evening sky. Sometimes he found himself wishing to hold her close, but other times he remembered all the things she had unwillingly and unknowingly done to him. He knew she wasn't at fault, and he had long since forgiven her… but wasn't it his fault for not protecting her? She'd offered her body to so many men and he hadn't done anything about it at the time. He'd been a… coward.

It wasn't much he could do to keep himself from banging his head against all the walls in the house for being such an idiot. Guilt washed over him every time he thought about it, so the more he remembered it, the more he wished he could forget it.

The thought of her naked body pleasuring another man…

But then again, hadn't he done the same with Kikyou? According to what everyone said, he had lived quite a long time with Kikyou, giving the impression that they had had a true relationship. He sometimes wondered if that was true. He never got to ask her anything; he hadn't even realised she had left until after she was gone.

And Kagome's scent… It was oh, so divine… so intense that he would swear he could smell it.

Much too enveloped in his admiration-filled thoughts, he failed to notice who was waiting for him to greet her in the same room he was in.

At Myouga's suggestive cough, Inuyasha snapped out of his trance and looked up from his sofa, only to have his heart stop beating for a couple of moments.

Mouth parted, he could only stare at the beauty in front of him. He didn't care about manners right now; all he wanted to do was to drink in the sight of her.

The woman of his dreams and nightmares smiled at him, still patiently waiting for him to make the first move. Well, technically, she had made the first move by coming to his house, but he had to take it from here. It was only so much she could do.

Inuyasha was too dumbfounded to even think of anything else than how well the dress complemented her deep eyes. She looked…

"Gorgeous…"

Inuyasha stiffened when he realised he might have said that last thought out loud, judging by her incredibly intense blush and the dazzling smile that captured his attention instantly. With a distracting cough, he caught himself and rose to his feet, apologising for his 'lack of manners' and kissing her hand politely, although letting his lips linger on her heated skin a bit too much.

"What brings you here?" he asked, intrigued by her sudden visit. It was quite late, and still she was there. Her extended silence confused him even more; she seemed very reluctant to say whatever it was she had come to tell him.

"This cannot go on like this," she uttered so quickly he had to strain to hear her words. "We have to discuss it," she insisted, and he instantly realised what it was she was talking about. Oddly enough, he agreed. However, his lips prevented anything from escaping his mouth, so he didn't say a word.

Kagome approached him warily, daring to grab one of his hands and clutch it between hers while looking him in the eye.

"Tell me you do not love me, Inuyasha. Tell me so, and I shall leave you alone for good," she begged, her eyes shining with a mysterious emotion he couldn't quite place. Her eyes were hopeful, but reserved. She was neither happy nor sad; she was something in-between.

When his answer didn't come, she didn't relent. "I know this has been hard for us, and this does indeed sound like an ultimatum, but things cannot go on like this, or else we shall be driven mad. None of us takes a step forward; does that mean we have decided to live in the past? I refuse to do such a thing," she declared with a heated look.

How much wonderful could she get?

Inuyasha sighed and turned away from her. For a second, he waited to see if she would run away, but when she stood her ground, he turned back to face her.

"You are right," he whispered, his eyes showing a rare amount of affection. "I do still love you. I do still want you more than everything, but things have been difficult for us, and these are amazingly hard times for such new changes." Unexpectedly, he grabbed her by her forearms and pulled her against him in a swift movement, momentarily surprising her. "I am willing to give us a try," he whispered against her ear, feeling a familiar sense of comfort by holding her in his arms. She was his, again. His alone.

Happy beyond measure, Kagome threw her arms around his neck in a sloppy embrace, kissing his cheek repeatedly out of sheer happiness. When his eyes went wide, she giggled softly and disappeared form the room in a matter of seconds.

"Do you think they have become intimate again?" Sango asked her husband, who was reading a book by the fireplace. She was due in a couple of months, but she already felt like she would give birth to her baby the following day. Miroku regarded her with such love in his eyes that she almost shivered.

His grin was ruthless.

"Why, dear Sango? Are you feeling left out?"

With an offended huff and a turned back, Sango crossed her arms over her chest indignantly.

"You know I did not mean that! Why must you always ask lewd questions?"

Gently and without making noise, Miroku set the book down and walked towards his wife, startling her by placing a hand on her shoulder. When she faced him, she could feel his affection encasing her in its warmth. As lecherous as he was, she couldn't help but love him. He was a faithful, caring husband.

Settling next to her and pulling her in his lap, the happy man caressed her swollen belly, praying for the baby to come out soon.

"I do not think so. It would have shown, I am sure," he said firmly.

"Sorry?"

"About Inuyasha and Kagome being intimate… I sincerely doubt it."

"But they are living together now. Who is to say they have not done it yet?"

"They are living under the same roof, my love, but not in the same room," he corrected, his face the expression of wisdom. "Remember; they have agreed to take things slowly at first."

"Yes, but they already have three months of living together in Inuyasha's house. Is three months not enough for them?"

"Apparently not."

"And you know this how?" she asked, curiosity apparent on her features. He seemed sure of himself; where did he get his information from?

"Let us say there is a dog in that mansion," Miroku stated mysteriously, a sly smirk tugging at his lips.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Wherever there are dogs, fleas are bound to thrive," he said, his smirk turning into a full-fledged grin.

"Myouga!" Sango exclaimed in disbelief.

"Precisely, my dear. Precisely."

"Finish your sentence," Inuyasha encouraged, smoothing the rebel hair from her temple with gentle gestures. They were both lying on their sides on the bed, facing each other. Kagome's bare shoulders shone in the faint moonlight, and she seemed even more beautiful than usual. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against hers in a tender gesture, letting her know he was there for her whenever she would need him.

Trailing his fingers down her arm, he relished her intense shiver at his feather-light touch.

She giggled childishly, seemingly considering something.

"What was I saying again?" she asked, inching closer to him.

"You were telling me how you are no dog demon wife material," he provided with a smile that reached his beautiful eyes.

"Oh, yes. That I was," she said with another cheerful giggle, wondering how come he hadn't been offended by her remark. "Well," she started, "I am not a bitch," she said playfully.

"That you are not," he concurred swiftly.

"I do not bark," she continued.

"Not required," he interrupted, "You could just bite instead," he said with a suggestive grin, his eyes glinting with mischief in a way that had her tingling down to her toes with desire as his fingers seductively trailed the length of her side. His eyes darkened with lust and she swallowed thickly, watching his alluring neck move with the pressure of his own gulp.

"Inuyasha, if you do not want to go any further, please stop," she urged, her voice hoarse and full of passion as she felt the proverbial fire arise under her already heated skin.

He moved a tad closer to her naked, quilt-covered body, so close that he could feel her erect nipples brush against his chest. Groaning with mad need, he watched her almost pained expression.

"I think we should take this to the next step," he suggested huskily looking deeply into her eyes, his hand covering her sensitive breast, "We are once again familiar with each other and I desire you so much," he revealed, pressing his searing mouth against her ear lobe and pulling it between his lips to suck on it sensually.

Kagome's pleasure-filled moan was music to his ears; she was everything he ever wanted. They had been sleeping in the same room for a few weeks, but no one knew. Inuyasha was aware of how vicious gossip was and he didn't want any of that for himself and Kagome, so he had her sneak into his room every night, when no one would see her. That had been their little game for a month now, and every night led to less wariness and a bigger amount of touching.

He smirked against her temple when his sneaky hand found the moist flesh between her legs and rubbed thoroughly. In and out.

They'd been sleeping naked against each other, but never did they do more than that. This was the most intimate thing they shared in so long.

The pale moon light caressed Kagome's skin as she writhed on the bed unashamed, giving in to her desire for her husband. The escalating moans, her shamelessness, the combination of the scent of Kagome's sweaty arousal and her pure essence brought the deepest sense of belonging to Inuyasha's healing heart.

He was immensely content. He wanted to make her happy.

Moving even closer to his wife, the hanyou looked at her seriously, stopping his ministrations. Grunting in annoyance, she found herself forced to look at him.

"Will you be my mate?" he asked her solemnly, capturing her gaze with his own. Tears sprung to her eyes as she nodded wordlessly, cupping his nape and pulling him against her to rest her head on his shoulder. "Yes," she said, nodding against his shoulder. "Yes, always yes!"

Releasing a relieved sigh, Inuyasha held her for a minute, enjoying the warmth of her naked body pressed against his equally naked one. Suddenly, this knowledge made him feel a familiar discomfort that only had one cure.

"Kagome..."

Without warning, he flicked her clit with his skilled finger then coated his fingers with her juices before trailing them up and down her slit. Finally heeding her begs for more, he slipped two fingers inside, revelling in her pleasure-induced ecstasy.

Capturing a nipple inside his wandering mouth and sucking on it greedily, he focused his main attention on the activity of his talented fingers, determined to bring her to climax.

That wasn't as far, because with a few more thrusts, stars exploded behind Kagome's eyelids as she clung to the man in front of her desperately.

Inuyasha watched with avid interest the first orgasm of many to come on that night. Her lips trembling with pure, unadulterated pleasure… her glistening skin that beckoned him to take her as quick as possible…

""What do I want most, Kagome?" he breathed near her ear, letting her feel the warmth of the air he exhaled. "What do I need most?"

She head threw back when she felt him graze the side of her neck with his fangs.

"What do I crave for most?"

Her answer was in the form of a lengthy moan drawn from her lungs when his skilled hands roamed around her body, making her forget about everything that was rational, letting room for only the unknown in her heart. The pressure built between them and it spread like poison ivy, driving madly through their veins, pushing the blood aside and making way for a completely new, mind-raking sensation.

"You," he answered himself, entering her in a swift, fluid motion that had her screaming in pleasure.

Seeing her slight grimace, he stopped forcefully, thinking of anything else in order not to lose control over his own body. It was bad enough that his demon side was clawing at his sanity with every moment left.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked worriedly, his eyes almost rolling in the back of his head from the feeling. Fucking Hells, the feeling…

He was totally unprepared for her wicked grin and her witty statement, "Not in the bad way." But what really made him want to crawl out of his skin along with Kagome and live with her inside his very bones, crushing her and locking her inside him for many eternities was the roll of her hips and the sharp thrust she managed, while still under her husband. His eyes did roll back into his head from the sheer pleasure of it, repeating the gesture.

Tension coiled inside their stomachs as they reached higher and higher towards absolution, towards something so beautiful they both missed.

Hiding his face against her hair, he tried to breathe normally, but got caught up in the whirlwind of sensations once again, unable to control himself anymore.

Sweet Jesus, Mother of God.

The passion between them was so thick you could cut it with a butter knife.

As she lost herself in him, yearning for a supreme form of sensation, he covered her neck with open-mouthed kisses, sticking out his tongue and licking the column of her throat hungrily, making her arch against him, creating a whole new level of friction between them.

Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha changed the angle and started pounding furiously into her, while kissing every inch of her heated skin.

"Fuuuuck," he hissed, already close to the edge, but determined to try and haul her up and over along with him.

Bringing his hand between their bodies, he rubbed her clit mindful of his claws and smiled against her skin when she moaned in satisfaction, closer to reaching the highest peak than ever.

Without warning, his fangs sunk in the delicate skin of her neck, not a drop of blood flowing out. Kagome didn't notice the slight discomfort he was causing her as he thrust them into oblivion. Releasing her neck, he saw that the traces of the fangs were gradually being replaced by their unique markings. Their marks. They were mates!

Breathing raggedly against her ear to calm down, his chest slapping against hers repeatedly with his powerful heaves, Inuyasha kissed every inch of her face, content and amazed of this new life that awaited them.

Loneliness would only be a thing of the past now.