No fair, no fair! The moment Kagome laid her hand on his cheek, he turned to mush under her touch (figuratively speaking). She didn't know of this effect on him, but it would have been a dirty trick if she had known.

Feeling awkward with the goofy grin he was giving her, she dropped her hand and got off the bed.

"Okay, so where do we start the search? Wait, more like where can I go to search that no one will try to take me?"

Shaking his head, he knocked himself out of the 'mush' mind and blinked up at her (he is still sitting down).

"No place is safe for you without me. I'll just have to make sure that you have your collar on, that way we don't end up in unnecessary fights. Face it, Kagome, you are different from anything else these demons have ever seen, and that makes you a target for them."

Shaking, Kagome wrapped her arms around herself, and jumped when she felt two strong arms wrap around her small waist. The sold warm chest against her back.

InuYasha tilted his head down to her ear, "don't worry, Kagome. I promise, I will always be there to protect you. I'll kill anyone that tries to harm you, I swear it."

Holding her hands to her chest, she tried to steady her rapid heartbeat, which seemed to jump at his words. It made no sense, but every part of her was saying to trust him. He would not lie to her, and he would protect her even if it killed him.

"Thank you, InuYasha."

"For what?"

"For buying me, for taking me to the shrine, for showing me your true self, for showing me that I can trust you to keep me safe. I owe you my life, and nothing would make me happier than to fulfill your dream of coming to my world with me."

Without realizing it, InuYasha pulled her closer and cradled her from behind.

"Kagome."

Smiling, she relished in the sound of her name being spoken like that by him. It was so soft and…precious, and she didn't know how a word or name could sound that way, but she couldn't think of another word to describe it.

He could have stayed like that forever, but he let her go and walked around to face her.

"You look like a girl that enjoys a relaxing bath before dinner, and after everything that's happened to you, I think you deserve it."

Nodding her head vigorously, she followed InuYasha to the bathroom, and shut the door, ready to take her bath in the jacuzzi size tub.

"I could get used to this."

As InuYasha waited for Kagome, there was banging at the door so he walked over to see who it was, only to be trampled by the feet of a certain annoying wolf-demon.

"Hey, InuTrasha! Where can I find your brother?"

Jumping up, he bared his fangs, thankful that he remembered to put the concealment ring on when he heard the first knock.

"What do ya want, you flea-bitten wolf?!"

Looking around, the wolf-demon scanned his surroundings.

"Yoh! Sesshomaru!"

Instantly, Sesshomaru was in the living room, "what's the reason for your visit, Kouga?"

Giving the dog-demon a toothy grin, Kouga scented the air.

"I heard the last auction had quite a special piece that you so happened to have bought. We're business partners, so I don't understand why you wouldn't call and let me know you were going."

"It was personal, not business related. What I buy for this house is strictly my concern and none of yo-"

"InuYasha! Did you have any clothes you wanted me to wear?"

Hopping down the stairs, Kagome was unaware of the situation happening, and as her feet touched the floor, InuYasha was in front of her, glaring menacingly at Kouga who couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Kagome. I need you to head back upstairs and lock yourself in your room."

"But Inu-"

"No buts! Let me protect you! Trust me and do as I say, please."

Running back up the stairs, Kagome locked herself in the room and rummaged through the wardrobe closet to find something to put on. Why did she go down there in just a towel?! Stupid, Kagome! They may be demons, but they are still the opposite sex, and it was foolhardy for her to go down there in nothing but a skimpy white towel.

"Looks like I missed something good today."

Continuing to glare at Kouga, InuYasha snarled, "get the hell out of here! She's none of your damn business, wolf!"

Walking to the front door, he gave one lingering look up the stairs.

"You might want to watch your back, mutt-face. A treasure like that is sought by a lot of really nasty demons, itching for a taste."

"You included, no doubt."

Licking his lips, Kouga scented the air, "she is a rare find indeed."

He finally left and InuYasha slammed the door shut.

"This is bad."

Sesshomaru glided over to stand next to him, both gazes on the second floor.

"Yes, brother, it would appear so."

"Sesshomaru, Kagome is from the same place as my mom."

"I had my own suspicions about that."

"We're going to find the twin tail and leave this world forever."

"I have no doubt you will succeed."

Just then, Rin ran in and wrapped herself around Sesshomaru's leg. InuYasha smirked as the girl looked up at his brother in admiration.

"Hey Bro, I think you have something on your leg."

"Very funny, InuYasha."

Laughing InuYasha walked with them into the kitchen, "seriously, man when did you become a human magnet?"

"I am not dignifying that with an answer."

Sesshomaru walked like normal, with his cool stride and icy demeanor, but the affect was lost when you glanced down and saw the little girl clinging to his leg like a spider monkey.

Chuckling, InuYasha helped set the dinner table, but was interrupted by the sight before him.

Kagome stood in the hallway with an empire waist knee-length pink and white flowery dress and slightly twisted back and forth with one arm behind her back, and the other holding onto it.

"Is everything okay, Inu? Does it look alright?"

"Beautiful."

Blushing, Kagome moved to sit in the chair facing him. InuYasha sat down and regarded her curiously.

"Hey, Kagome?"

"Yes?"

"In your world, do you have anyone?"

Furrowing her brows, she wanted to make sure she understood what he was asking.

"Anyone as what?"

"Well, as a boyfriend."

Her eyes widened in shock, what a thing to ask!

"Well, no I don't, but it's by choice. The boys at my school only want one thing, and I'm not ready or willing to give something that special to anyone. Only the man I love should have it."

"Who's the man you love?"

He asked, but secretly he really didn't want to know. That would be someone else sharing intimate moments with her.

"I don't know, because I haven't met him yet. But I know God will send my husband to me when it's time, so I don't worry about those things."

Smirking a little wider, InuYasha could feel his breath release, not even realizing he was holding it to begin with.

"So, have you ever been in a relationship?"

Why was he asking her these questions? I mean, she had nothing to hide, but the line of questioning was definitely making her feel a little uncomfortable.

"No, I haven't."

"That has to mean you've never been kissed then."

Okay, two shades darker now. Her blush had reached a new limit!

"Yo-you would be correct."

It was a small silence between them after that, but InuYasha had to know.

"When we were in the hall, we were about to kiss. How would you feel now if we had?"

Such a simple question, but it was a loaded one too.

"I don't really know. I hear everything changes after you've been intimate like that with someone. Of course, we don't even have a regular way with each other to know if anything would have been different after a kiss."

Studying her, he ducked his head slightly, not wanting her to see the darkening of his own cheeks.

"If we had another chance to, would you kiss me?"

Oh dear! What should she tell him? In this situation, the truth would not set her free; it would cause a whole new experience she didn't feel ready for yet.

As Kagome was about to answer, Sesshomaru and Rin came over to the table bearing a bountiful tray of food. Presenting the tray to Kagome, Sesshomaru grinned.

"I hope you're hungry."

Smiling, she forked a huge chunk of corned beef and some small potatoes.

"Famished! This smells amazing."

The demon and little girl, took their seats and everyone started eating. InuYasha was stealing little glances at Kagome, quite anxious to finish their conversation, but it would have to wait until later.

Kagome prayed over her food, and ate quickly, wanting to leave before InuYasha got a chance to confront her with that question again. The truth was, she would try to kiss him again, and her attraction to him felt like a tangible force between them.

Finishing up his meal, he excused himself from the table and walked upstairs, getting dressed in his sleep attire.

It wasn't long before Kagome was also done and went upstairs, quickly walking to her room. Shutting the door behind her, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"It didn't take you very long to come up."