AN: Happy October! If you guys are loving this fic and want more, I'll put the link on my Tumblr page!

Chapter Seven

Changing Expectations...

The fourth week without going to her husband had been easy. But, with her dealing with her monthly bleeding, she couldn't go to him and his bed even if she wanted to—which she didn't!

Now, week five and her dreams were haunted by Inuyasha and lovemaking. Every morning she woke up feeling like she was on fire, and it irritated her greatly.

Before she met Inuyasha, she was fine! Happy in her solitude! And now, she craved Inuyasha's large hands on her body like the opioid addicts that used to linger at the edge of her village.

So when she woke on a day in the middle of week six and found him sitting on the edge of her bed, she thought for sure she was still dreaming.

"Lord Tashio? What are you doing here?"

He reached over and grabbed one of her knees, squeezing it and making it tickle. "My wife is ignoring me." Brushing his touch away quickly, she drew her knees up to her chest for her protection. "I had some free time today that I thought I'd give to you."

"I thought I was to come to you?" Kagome hoped she didn't sound as excited as she felt because all she could think about was him leaping onto her with his large hands.

The smirk he wore had her worried, though. "That's not why I'm here. Although, if you're…."

"No! I'm fine!"

Inuyasha chuckled, her want showing far more than she liked. "Alright. Then get dressed."

"What are we doing?"

Getting up, Kagome hovered at her armoire, waiting for Inuyasha to tell her what to wear essentially. Coming up behind her, he opened up her closet for her, his arms around her like a canopy. "Hmmm, let's see. Why don't you wear this one?"

A kimono in his hold, she took it and looked it over. It was a simple one, her favorite of all the ones given to her. Inuyasha lingered, making her think he was going to watch her dress but then shot out of the room like an arrow when she pulled on the ties of the yukata.

Stopping at the long glass in her room, she took in her simple and sloppy appearance. It would be an hour still until her handmaids came to dress her for the day, so she was left to wrap her obi herself.

The image of Kikyo in her graceful and perfect air popped into her head. At the time, she ignored the differences between them. But since bringing Inuyasha back from the mountains of his proclaimed death, she thought deeply about her husband's last lover.

Thin and delicate, Kikyo was a woman of fine upbringing, not like Kagome from a poor family and village. The elegant woman was what Inuyasha wanted and loved, and Kagome was far from that. The wild hair that he had already seen, she twisted and knotted on top of her head. Powders and beni were supplied to her, but she had no clue how to apply them. Another thing Kikyo excelled at, the woman was looking like a fine geisha for even an informal meeting.

There was indeed nothing about Kagome that wasn't inferior to the Lady Kikyo.

Her chin held as high as she could manage in her depression and self-loathing; the smile that spread across Kagome's face at the sight of her waiting husband was not forced at all. On the contrary, it was as if all her inferiorities slipped away when he looked at her that way.

Their hands tethered, Inuyasha led her out of the villa and to a stable; she was soon before him on a horse. Then, his arms around her tight, he took them towards the east of town, further out than she'd ever been. The village was still in sight, as was the villa, but it was small in the distance.

Thick forest gave way to more stables and a storehouse. A couple of other prominent buildings stood nearby, and she could hear voices coming from them. Mostly male with a few female voices, their higher pitch ringing out over the others.

Inuyasha dismounted, helping her down with his large hands on her waist. Kagome knew they lingered, too, that it wasn't her imagination. Because his heavy breath hit the top of her head and washed down her shoulders. Sitting before him with the motion of the giant beast beneath her, Kagome would have let Inuyasha throw her to the forest floor if she looked up. So she didn't look up, spinning out of his hold and breaking the spell they were under. Now she had to face whatever it was he had planned for them today.

oOo

Circular targets of red and white sat a large distance away, the small, treeless space meant for target practice. Several were already lined up, bows and arrows in their hands and a quiver on their backs. She had followed Inuyasha into the armory, the large building that had been before them when they first arrived and been supplied with the necessary items. It was pretty clear what they were here to do today—train.

Why he thought to bring Kagome here, she didn't know, and the looks on the men around her told her they didn't know why either. But now, the Lord Tashio was lining her up with a target, his hands on her shoulders.

"Who taught you to shoot in the first place?"

"A friend from my village. I used to go hunting with him and cleaned his kills for food for my family. Then, watching him, I figured it out, got myself a bow, and got my own kills."

Inuyasha chuckled. "Oh yeah? And how did your friend feel about you no longer cleaning his kills for him?''

She shrugged, taking her first arrow and pulling the string taut. "He was fine. Like he needed a scrawny girl following him around and taking some of his food."

Inuyasha didn't look like he believed her. Truth be told, Koga never said anything about her leaving him behind to hunt by herself. He was far more vocal about her leaving the village to get married.

These thoughts had Kagome feeling homesick again, so she pushed them away and focused on her target. Maybe twenty feet away, it would be the furthest shot she'd ever taken that she knew of. But she was used to her targets moving a little.

She felt the strain in her shoulders as she lined herself up, the bow in her hands tighter than the one she used last. It was a man's bow, meant for long shots. Inuyasha was looming, so close Kagome could feel his breath on the top of her head and his fingertips on her spine. Just about to take the shot, she took a deep breath only to have it all wiped away from her as a voice interrupted.

"Lord Tashio!" Lowering her weapon, she turned with Inuyasha, his stodgy advisor Myouga coming up behind them. "May I have a word?"

Inuyasha ran his palm down the length of her spine but said nothing as he left Kagome for his man. With nothing else better to do, she lined back up for the shot, suddenly feeling many eyes on her. With Inuyasha so close before, they either did not dare look her way, or she was so wrapped up in his presence, she did not notice. But every eye on the field was on her at the moment. To say she felt pressured would be putting it lightly.

Inuyasha's opinion was the one she valued the most, and he was otherwise occupied, the sound of their voices behind her. It sounded like a slightly heated conversation, and she tried not to listen. Especially when she heard Inuyasha's angry voice say something like "too late" and "I want her". She didn't have to guess who he was talking about when she heard him say "love" a few times too. Something must have happened to Kikyo.

Pushing past the pain in her chest and the sounds in her ears, she narrowed her sights on her target, took a deep breath, and released it with her arrow. It whistled as it flew, so fast she couldn't see it. Not until it appeared again, embedded deep in the target. But it was off to the left of center; Kagome had missed the bullseye. Those around still applauded, impressed that the little wife of Tashio could even shoot an arrow, indeed. Heat bloomed on her cheeks, and she felt nothing but annoyed.

The applause died out, except for one pair of hands from behind. Kagome turned when they continued to get closer, her husband smirking as he approached. Nearly dropping the bow when Inuyasha ran his hand down her free arm, she ignored the swelling in her chest and the heat between her legs when he pulled her close and nuzzled her hair. What kind of man talked about his love for one woman only to hold another so close and lovingly a moment later?

oOo

Inuyasha wanted to see Kagome's skills. What with him slightly incapacitated in the mountain pass, he had been confused for weeks as to who the archer was that single-handedly took down ten or more of the rabble that threatened his life. When he found out, Inuyasha was beyond shocked. His wife had truly saved his and Miroku's and Myouga's life. No way Sango, Handu, and Sab would have survived as well, not without Kagome's aid.

He was beholden to her, enamored all the more by the small woman. Kagome was fearless, a beautiful and rare creature. Had the council married him to a human or something unearthly?

That was something Inuyasha wanted to see for himself, taking the day to take Kagome to a bit of target practice. It was one way to keep his mind off what Inuyasha wanted to take her to do all day. The memory of the last time they made love served to keep him...warm at night, finding relief with his hand most of the time as he dreamed about Kagome. Now close to her, a small layer of sweat starting to form on her neck from the warm air; he wasn't entirely sure he could contain himself as he promised. He hoped to achieve another thing today, besides seeing his wife and spending time with her, was to push her a little towards his bed.

Because he wanted Kagome, Inuyasha craved her like a mad man. And he was starting to lose his composure and control when he needed it the most.

She was new and naive to men and love. He loved that about her, but it made his situation more complicated. Saying the words would mean little to a woman who had never experienced love before. It would only confuse Kagome and make her feel forced to return it or even indebted to Inuyasha for it. Both of those situations would be unsavory, which left him with the task of proving his love without words as well as getting Kagome to love him in return.

So in a sense, he was just as innocent and naive as she was. Inuyasha had never been in this situation before. He had never loved a woman as he did Kagome and never needed to prove his love. The women in his past gave it so freely to him; it was only more proof that he had never been loved before. Nor had he truly loved another, not until Kagome.

Her bow at the ready, Inuyasha was excited to see what Kagome could do, his fingers finding their way to the small of her back. Her stance was solid and sure, that of a real hunter but not so much a fighter.

Right as she was about to release her arrow, all was stopped by the voice of his advisor. "Lord Tashio! May I have a word?" As little as he wanted to, he left his wife behind and entered the manic fury that was Myouga for some strange reason. "I came here, hoping it was not true. You brought your wife here?"

"Of course! It was Kagome's skills that saved our lives that day in the Devil's pass! I wanted to see the extent of them." He wasn't hiding his admiration as he spoke, looking back at Kagome's form as she looked around her.

"I thought we had an understanding?" Inuyasha's attention snapped back to the small man. "That it was dangerous for you to carry on this way with her? The woman that all know as your wife?"

"Explain to me again why it is so wrong to love my wife?!"

Myouga shook a little with his irritation. Irritation that was starting to transfer to Inuyasha as well. "She is a weakness! One that could cost you everything!"

"It's too late, Myouga. She is already my greatest weakness."

A heavy sigh left the elder, shaking his head. "You're just infatuated. I suggest taking another woman to bed for a turn. The more, the better."

"I don't want another; I want her."

"Lord Tashio…"

"Myouga! It's done. I love Kagome. I will always love Kagome. There is nothing you or anyone else can do about it. Not even she can change my feelings; she is mine. Now excuse me while I enjoy her as much as possible." He whispered, so Kagome did not hear but made sure his man understood by using a harsh tone.

Slow to leave, Myouga eventually got the message, even if reluctantly, just as Kagome sunk her arrow into the target. Although not on the bullseye, it was still impressive since Inuyasha had little clue she could shoot at all. Kagome hesitated to turn to him as he praised her, glancing back at Inuyasha over her shoulder as if unsure of herself.

The red tint of her cheeks was all he needed, even if he still craved more, coming to her side without fear. He no longer feared anything about her, not for who she was or the way she made him feel.

"You have quite a skill there."

Her blush spread to her hairline. "I missed the bullseye…."

"But not the target completely. Here," encouraging her, Kagome had another arrow and her bow up at the ready while he wrapped himself around her, "lower your shoulders a little," Inuyasha would be lying if he said he wasn't taking advantage, grabbing and pushing Kagome's shoulders down only to slip his hands down her back to her hips, "and spread your legs a little more."

Kagome trembled, but he refused to let go, pressing his fingers a little harder into her waist. Yet to pull away, Inuyasha pretended to look down her sight when really, he wanted to put his nose deep into her hair. He could not place her scent, but it was addictive. The tip of her arrow grazed the edge of the red in the middle, closer but not perfect.

"See? You are...very talented. Such a fast learner."

Whether she realized it or not, Kagome was pressing her back to him now, leaning into him. Her backside, in particular, not only pushing but wiggling against his crotch.

God, Inuyasha wanted to part her kimono place a finger or two inside her. But there was half his army nearby, a few watching more intently than he liked already. So he slid his hands across Kagome's belly once before gently grabbing her hips again and pushing her away. A little distance helped, even if it made taking in Kagome's shape and face easier, the beautiful greenery around them paling in comparison.

"You learned to shoot all by watching?"

A small smile spread across her lips as Kagome lowered her bow and her eyes. "Koga has far more skills than me. I used to follow him around while he hunted. Eventually, I could kill my own and did so from then on."

Inuyasha's jealousy was pointless, but he felt it nonetheless. Especially given the wistful look on Kagome's face when speaking about some other boy.

"Koga is my dearest friend's brother. They are like family to me."

That did little to quell the heat in Inuyasha's brain and heart. "I suppose he said nothing about you coming here to marry me then?"

"Oh, no, he did. Koga lacked any joy in our union. But that was because I was leaving, and his sister would be without our friendship." Kagome's face fell, and so did all upset feelings within himself.

Flicking a stray hair off her neck, Inuyasha moved in close to her again. "I am sure she is happy for you. And grateful to you for what you gave up for her and your village."

Keeping his hand on the back of her neck, Inuyasha held Kagome gently and watched her face change again. Kagome wore her emotions on her face for all to see. Now, she was still sad, nostalgic, but his words had slightly brightened her spirits. "They should be grateful to you, not me. You are the one protecting them."

"For you. All for you, Kagome."

Blood spread across her face again, starting at her nose, and Inuyasha grew bolder still, stepping even closer to kiss the bridge of her nose. Her response was to giggle, and he had to swallow something thick in his throat down. Inuyasha's heart trembled when she coyly reached up and carefully placed some of his hair behind his ear, just as he had done for her—just as she had done in his dream.

Kagome was starting to pull her hand away, a look of confusion on her face that Inuyasha assumed was aimed at herself. But, before she could, he caught her wrist, pressing Kagome's palm to his cheek as he spoke. "I...I want us to spend more time. Together." Her brows pulled together while her neck began to share her flush from the continued intimacy. "I want to see you more than once a month."

"My Lord is busy, I understand…."

"You never come to me. You avoid me like the plague. Why?"

Trying to pull away proved fruitless for her, so she stopped. "You were the one to avoid me first? Remember? Three moons since our marriage, and I have spoken to you a handful of times? And most of those times were so you could ravish me."

Her eyes flew to her feet at her slip. Inuyasha wrapped an arm around her waist, and she wiggled against his hold. "Forgive me; I am just as new to marriage as you, Kagome." She slowly lifted her head back up, sparkling teal crystals staring up at him. "As much as I love ravishing your entire body, it is not the only thing I want from you. I want to see you whenever I can, like today, but I want you to come to me."

"I do not wish to interrupt…."

"You are my wife, dammit. It's not an interruption, and even if it is, it is wanted."

This was part of what Myouga had warned him about, falling so deep that he ignored his duties as a Lord. Nevertheless, Inuyasha couldn't stop himself from feeling as though Kagome was worth it. He wanted her. He wanted her to want him. And most importantly, he wanted her to be with him for more than just her village.

oOo

"Morning, noon, and night, I want you around. I meant it when I told you I wanted you to show me all of yourself."

Kagome was still reeling from her husband's words only a few hours ago. The night was quickly approaching, and she had to make a decision. So she was stubborn, and that was all that kept her from going to her husband all this time. That, and Kagome had assumed he only wanted her for two things; sex and children. With the two going hand and hand, it was easy to see how she was confused.

Inuyasha hadn't wanted this marriage. He was forced into it just as she was. Although, if Kagome was being honest, she never really felt forced. Her circumstance and the village's needs made it an easy choice that she was happily living with.

Until now.

The last thing Kagome ever wanted was to love someone, and she surely did not want to love a man that loved another?! There was something wrong with her because she not only lacked the ability to stop herself, Kagome lacked the care as she gently told Sango where she was going and left on her own towards Inuyasha's quarters. Only to find them empty.

"He's taking a bath, my Lady." The maid broadly grinned as she tried desperately not to faint. "It's that way...if you'd like to join him?"

The cheeky maid had her nearly melting to the floor, keeping her eyes glued to it while letting her feet guide her. There wasn't a thought in Kagome's head to lead her towards the bath house, and yet, she ended up there, carried by her feet. Her hands were shaking as she changed out of her kimono and into a robe, leaving on her undergarments. A deep breath, and she made her way out to the bath.

Inuyasha watched the cherry blossom buds dance in the breeze as the sun set fire to the horizon behind them. A few fire pits had already been lit and hung high above the waters on chains. A thick wood wall stood high around the whole place, the bath sectioned off on its own. It felt like they were the only people alive at the moment.

Kagome's movement caught Inuyasha's attention, sitting up a little straighter against the rock he leaned on. The bath was surrounded by large and gray masses that helped keep the water in the pool.

"Don't be afraid to show me all of yourself…."

Inuyasha's words were ringing in Kagome's head again, and she was struggling to find them insincere. It had been a month since the last time she was intimate with her husband, which was falling woefully behind on her duties as his wife. That was why she tugged hard on the belt of her robe and let it slip off her shoulders.