Kikyou awoke to sunlight streaming in through the bedroom window—and her husband sitting cross-legged on their bed.

She watched him for a moment, his brow creased in concentration as his pencil scratched against his sketchpad. He barely paused, switching between long and short lines before finally looking up, giving her a crooked smile.

"Mornin'," he said, placing the pad on the bedside table before lying down next to her.

"What are you working on?" she asked, kissing his palm when he cupped her cheek. He flushed, but she kept him trapped, not releasing his hand.

"Private stuff."

She grinned, intertwining their fingers. "So, drawing me while I slept again."

The heat in his cheeks only intensified. "You've got the best ratio," he grumbled, tugging his hand away to rest on his back.

"It's a very odd way of saying you think I'm pretty."

"Keh."

"You know you can always ask me." She placed a hand on his chest, stroking his skin with her thumb.

"I know, but—" He scratched the back of his head, a sheepish expression on his face. "Sometimes I just like watchin' ya sleep too."

"Perv."

He turned even darker than before. "Oi—"

"Show me the sketch, and I'll take it back," she cut in, pushing herself up enough to rest her chin on her hand, looking at him expectantly. Inuyasha pursed his lips but handed over the book, his curious gaze belying his nonchalance.

"It ain't nothing special," he said.

"You always say that." Kikyou thumbed through the most recent pages, making sure not to smudge the lines, her heart softening as the peaceful look on her own face.

"I like this one best." He pointed to the one in the centre—a few strands of hair framed her face, hands pillowing her cheek. She hummed in agreement, then tapped the one below it, the sketch showing a bare shoulder before trailing off into nothing.

"This one looks unfinished."

Silver ears twitched, and he looked away. "I didn't get a good look at ya before ya moved."

A dark eyebrow rose, and she stretched, purposefully letting the thin purple sheet fall to her waist. "Maybe you should look again." She managed to stifle her laughter as she saw the top of his cheeks burn.

"Keh, who's the perv now?"

"Still you."

"Well, in that case—" He tossed the sketchpad onto the table then pulled Kikyou beneath him. "—maybe I should get a closer look then." Their laughter turned into moans as he got a very thorough look.

For research purposes.