CHAPTER 2

INUYASHA´S POV

He watched her stir a little in her sleeping bag before he heard her heartbeat take on a gentle rhythm, informing him that the girl had fallen asleep. He slowly drew in to get a closer look at her. Nervousness hadn't left him since that morning and having her so close, all alone didn't help him control himself. He had set out to declare his feelings to her and although having Mrs. Higurashi's approval gave him some security, he couldn't do anything without first confirming Kagome's feelings.

He felt unprotected, completely vulnerable and at the mercy of the azabache...

-Kagome...do you still want to be with me? -After hiding my feelings from you for so long... making you believe that I still loved Kikyo, and treating you like the idiot I am, can you take me as your mate? - The memory of the kisses of that morning came back with force, that had to mean something, didn't it? Kagome had always treated him sweetly but never so openly. Those kisses had to have meant something.

Was it affection or love that the priestess felt for him? He was certainly bent on finding out.

-Kagome I will do whatever it takes to prove to you that it is you I love,- he thought as he removed a mischievous lock of hair from her forehead.

KAGOME'S POV

The next morning after preparing everything they needed, they set off. InuYasha had told her that he wanted to show her a place that was 2 days away, very close to the beach. She was excited at the anticipation of being able to swim in the ocean. -Only you love to get your fill of sand and deal with the sting of the salt water in your eyes jhez woman! - he had told her amused. InuYasha apparently paid more attention to her than he had thought,he remembered how much she loved the ocean.

INUYASHA'S POV

InuYasha rejoiced as he smelled the joy emanating from Kagome, he knew the azabache loved any pool of water she could swim in:lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, she always went crazy when they passed by those places and begged to stay so she could enjoy them, he as always granted it, not after a good fight and exchange of insults - he smiled at the memory - If I want this to work I'll have to take Miroku's advice -.

Flashback

-Wow buddy, it took you long enough but I'm proud of you,- said an amused Miroku as he patted his back-.

-Stop teasing Hoshii pervert- he replied irritated.

- Well well, if you are determined to conquer Miss Kagome's heart, the first thing you must do is to open your mind and heart to her InuYasha...- he looked at him strangely.

- Explain yourself - he ordered him.

- Well friend, it seems to me that you and Miss Kagome haven't had much time to talk about your feelings, dreams, goals, past, present, future ...

- I get your point, well...it's not like we had a lot of time to relax, did we? - he replied in his characteristic annoyed tone.

- Come on InuYasha I'm not blaming you my friend, what I mean is that one of the ways to women's heart is the mind InuYasha, there are others of course...much more pleasant in which I can also enlighten you like... - before he continued in that direction InuYasha gave him a blow in the head while he placed his murderous look on him - Alright alright, we'll leave that talk for later. - He took a seat on the rock in front of the half demon and continued - As I was saying, if you want miss Kagome to start seeing you in a more serious way, you have to show her the real InuYasha...the one you don't show to everyone else, you have to share with her your SINCERE thoughts and memories, the good ones and the not so good ones, do you understand? - she asked, InuYasha just nodded slowly - you must not evade her questions. If you feel uncomfortable to answer you must force your thoughts to come out of that shell where you keep them. - he saw him stand up and look at the horizon determined.

-I think I got it..- he turned his back to him and started to go deeper into the forest, when he was about to lose sight of him he heard him -Thank you bonzo...-Miroku smiled between proud and amused.

End of Flashback

-Okay, "open your mind and heart" aaghh why is it so hard - he thought frustrated - but if I want to do this, I must make it, it's not that hard, just awkward and embarrassing arhghh - Kagome is worth it - he muttered.

-InuYasha did you say something? - she heard her ask him as she looked at him confused.

-eh! I... no I mean it's time to go- he answered her nervously -I must be careful, thinking is so troublesome -

Kagome rode as in most of her trips on InuYasha's back, her preferred means of transportation, although sometimes she enjoyed the autonomy that her bike gave her or flying through the air on Kirara, InuYasha's back was the best. Those moments were when she felt closest to the half-demon, the closest she could get to an embrace - Of course! - she congratulated herself at the idea that had just occurred to her. Decidedly she changed the position of her hands that were always on the boy's broad and strong shoulders under her to slide them gently over his neck to the beginning of his chest and form a kind of embrace without becoming uncomfortable, exerting a gentle pressure.

She rejoiced when she felt him tense at the caress, then relaxed and tightened his grip on her legs more, settling her better on her back, allowing her more space in his grasp.

-InuYasha...does it bother you to hold me like this? - he asked sweetly.

-Etto...mmm...it doesn't bother me...I think...it's more comfortable this way ne?- he answered her, clearly nervous.

-You're right, I wonder why I didn't think of it before?- She said, propelling herself a little over his grip and finding his face as she leaned back next to his head.

She noticed then the blush that covered her cheeks but she didn't count that InuYasha was planning to turn his face to tell her something, then...they met just inches away, -But what the...!- she heard him say before feeling how he lost his balance and managed to position her on top of him preventing her from hurting herself. - I'm so sorry InuYasha, I didn't mean to scare you - she apologized as she tried to stand up, however the half demon's arms had a strong hold on her which made it difficult for her. She decided then that she would seize that moment before InuYasha fell for the position.

INUYASHA'S POV

And again he found himself with the little girl in his arms - I don't know if this is luck or curse? - he thought to himself as he enjoyed the closeness of the azabache. Without thinking too much he tightened his grip and drew her closer to his face, just enough to nestle her face into his neck and inhale her delicious scent.

Kagome's amused giggle and the shudder of the small body on top of him brought him back to reality.

-You tickle me InuYasha- he heard her say though he didn't sense any scent of displeasure or movement that would indicate she wanted to part from him. - Your nose hehe tickles- he broke away quickly to look at her blushing. She looked at him with amusement and reddened cheeks.

- Are you ok? - he asked her as he lifted her up and left her in front of him making a quick inspection of her body looking for any sign of discomfort. He saw her stir a little uneasily in her place and realized that he was staring at her body shamelessly.

-Yes...yes, I'm sorry InuYasha didn't mean to cause an accident.

-khe! Kagome it wasn't your fault...let's go - he tried not to pay too much attention to her and leaned down offering her his back. He quickly felt her familiar weight, to his satisfaction her arms occupied the same pleasant position. He smiled inwardly.

They set off on the journey again in pleasant silence, both enjoying the new closeness of their bodies with that almost possessive grip. After a few hours on the road, Kagome's curiosity broke the silence.

-Hey Inuyasha...she caught his attention. The little ears twitched in her direction.

- mmj - was all the answer she got, but she knew she had his attention.

-I was wondering...if this place we're going to, brings back good memories for you - she saw him tilt his head a little as the seconds passed by making that gesture that she knew well but were not so common in InuYasha as it meant he was consciously thinking before he spoke, something uncommon in her hanyou.

-Mostly - he answered in a tone she didn't hear him so often, somewhat melancholy.

-What do you mean by "mostly... InuYasha I wouldn't want to go to a place that brings you sadness…- she shared in a worried tone.

She heard him sigh and tilt his head back a bit to make sure Kagome heard him carefully before blurting out:

-Kagome...that place has a story that I'll tell you in more detail when we get there okay? just...when I say it mostly brought me good times is because it did, those that weren't so nice were...well...because I was alone.

It broke his heart every time he remembered everything the silver-haired boy had to endure alone -Okay, I'll wait- She whispered.

-You don't have to be like this after all... I'm not alone anymore,- he said as he tightened his grip on her legs a little.

-I'm sorry InuYasha, it just seems so unfair what you had to go through, you know that if I had met you back then...I would have never left you, right? - he asked her, he wanted to reaffirm what he had just told her, to let her know that he really wasn't alone and he would never be alone again if he accepted her by his side.

-I know Kagome...he answered

-Now you are surrounded by people who appreciate you and care about you InuYasha, you will never have to be alone again, -she reaffirmed, squeezing him a little tighter in her embrace.

INUYASHA'S POV

And there she was again, offering him her friendship and companionship, assuring him that he would never have to be alone again. - Oh Kagome, if only you knew that I only need you to be complete - he should be used to the selfless concern Kagome professed to him and all her friends by now, but it simply continued to amaze him that she had such a Heart. He remembered how he once believed Kikyo gave him all that, only to meet Kagome and understand what it truly meant to be a person free of selfishness in her heart. A heart that always gave away peace and well being to others. Such was Kagome's heart.

-InuYasha...hey InuYasha...what are you thinking? - he heard her call out to him.

- Hey...what were you saying?

-Wow, you're really on the clouds - she accused him amused. He just shrugged his shoulders, playing it down.

- I've always wanted to ask you something but for one thing or another I end up forgetting...

-What is it? - he asked curiously.

-Have you ever measured how far you can run before you run out of steam? It seems like you can do it for days on end. I can't believe you never get tired, besides with me on your back, if it wasn't for me and our friends asking you to rest on our trips, I bet you could go on and on and on…- he listened to her.

The truth is that he had never consciously put it into practice but he sure could do it for several days if he put his mind to it. He smiled, Kagome was unknowingly helping him a lot in the mission Miroku had given him. He wasn't exactly the most talkative of the group and it was hard for him to initiate this kind of casual conversation, but now that Kagome didn't have Shippo or Sango to chat with all her attention was turned to him and of course she couldn't stay quiet for hours...Kagome was always thinking about something.

-Hmm...I never thought about it before, but I guess if I have to travel a specific long distance at top speed with the goal of arriving in a certain period of time I experience more fatigue.

-I see...and has anything like that ever happened to you? I don't remember treating you for that kind of exhaustion during the years we have been traveling,- she asked intrigued.

-That's because you don't remember it…- he commented with regret at the memory of that moment.

-But that's impossible InuYasha, I remember perfectly every wound your body has had and I have never treated you for exhaustion, it's always because you were weakened by blood loss or a fever,- she answered him very confidently.

-That time...- she heard him say as he tensed up- when Hakudoshi tried to take over your mind with Akago, when I found out and you were so far away, I had to travel a long distance in the shortest time possible, that day we returned to the village, at night, I was quite exhausted...and once I found where to sleep I didn't wake up until the next day, you know I never needed many hours of rest to recover my energy, but that day I slept almost like a normal human because of the exhaustion…

- I'm sorry InuYasha, I never thought that could happen to you...why didn't you tell me? I could have taken you home and you would have rested better- she reprimanded him angrily.

-Kagome, my total carelessness almost cost you your life, I had no desire to show myself weaker than I had already been. -

-You know perfectly well that you are never weak to me- she assured him as she put more pressure on his shoulders as a sign of support.

Inuyasha smiled at the azabache's words, she was the only one who trusted him blindly. This only reaffirmed his conviction and mission to "open his mind and feelings to Kagome" so far everything seemed to be going well, he could smell the girl's nervousness every time She asked a question but also how happy she was at any answer from him.

KAGOME'S POV

-Thank you for trusting me with this InuYasha, I know how hard it is for you to share your thoughts and feelings even with me and our friends, but you know we will always support you and be there to listen to you right?

-I know,- she heard him murmur.

- I can only imagine how many things this head thinks...- as she gently patted the crown of his head, she felt him stir a little-

-Hey, stop distracting me or we'll fall again,- she blurted out.

- So I'm the one distracting you, huh? - she asked, amused by his reactions. Certainly the silver-haired man was responding too much to her touches, as innocent and normal as they seemed to him. This only encouraged her to continue wreaking havoc on him.

-Tsk - she heard him groan as he felt discovered getting only an amused chuckle out of her.

She didn't know what had happened to InuYasha but he was definitely sharing with her much more than usual, this only made her feel happy and confident to continue with her mission.

So between small talks and comfortable silences, the night came and they decided to stop to sleep in one of the many small abandoned huts in the middle of the forest that only InuYasha was able to find. Kagome took it upon herself to clean up a bit while InuYasha fished for dinner. Once she was satisfied with her work she decided to make use of one of the tools she had brought from her time to catch the half demon's attention, she rummaged through her backpack and pulled out her pajamas, upon inspecting them she couldn't help but blush as she had never seen her in that style of clothing before - Kagome what are you saying if he even saw you naked, but it was an accident! and it was only a few seconds, he couldn't have seen too much couldn't he, besides I always sat him down in time. - the soft material brought her back to reality, it was a gift her mother had given her and she guessed she gave it to her because she no longer saw her as a child. The outfit consisted of a light, thin strappy top and a small matching short, both red and in satin, quite daring even for her time she thought. She knew she was behaving anything but decorous by this era's standards of conduct, but this was InuYasha, who had been around in her era and seen what his life was like, she couldn't expect him to sleep in his sporty ensemble all the time. It wouldn't be that comfortable. So, trying to mentally convince herself that this step was the right one, she proceeded to change before the silver-haired man returned.

INUYASHA'S POV

Inuyasha was returning from the river with the fish that would make dinner in one of his hands, while in the other he carried several logs for the campfire. He was unprepared for the sight he received once he entered the hut.

Kagome was on her back with some small garments barely covering her, he admitted that he had missed feeling the softness of her legs as he carried her on his back as with that strange hakama she was wearing it didn't allow him to do so. He supposed it was logical that the girl brought clothes to sleep, he knew that in his time she always used a special one to go to bed but he had never seen her something like that, the garments let him see her legs almost completely and in the position in which she was the fabric had run a little and he could even see the beginning of the underwear of the azabache, her shoulders were slightly more uncovered with those straps.

The sound of the logs on the ground brought him back to reality- aah god InuYasha you gave me a good scare! - He saw her sit up quickly giving him a frontal view of the model, simply ravishing, her cheeks flushed with fright and her breathing slightly accelerated, he saw her blush more furiously and that's when he noticed how she was looking at her, he averted his eyes quickly and began to pick up the logs. - Wow, the great InuYasha has been very distracted today. This is your second stumble so far, are you feeling okay ? - she heard him ask teasingly.

-Damn, it was just an accident, woman, I'm perfectly fine,- he answered nervously, still unable to turn to look at her.

-All right, all right, don't get mad, thanks for the fishing, I'll start the fire right now - he saw her take one of the logs to start preparing dinner, the moment when their hands brushed and the electric sensation that ran through him from head to toe did not go unnoticed.

What the hell is happening to me? Why do I feel so agitated? Why does she have to wear those clothes? This woman is going to drive me crazy! how am I supposed to confess my feelings to her if I can't see her without embarrassing myself, tsk just as I was starting to relax...

After a few uncomfortable minutes as InuYasha was just watching through one of the windows the familiar behavior of the clouds and wind that night he heard her call out to him.

-Dinner is ready InuYasha, come and sit next to me,- he could not help but turn to see her at the invitation, she looked simply beautiful, the firelight reflected on her delicate skin giving it a special glow. He stared at her until he saw her avert her gaze a little nervously.

He answered as he slowly came closer to her side, they always ate dinner facing each other, he was a little surprised that Kagome had specifically pointed out the place next to him where she had invited him to sit. He was too focused on the glow of her skin and how incredibly beautiful she looked in those clothes to disobey her, as he reached her side, he positioned himself at what he thought was a safe distance away and reached out for her to pass him one of the fish.

He saw her take the food, look at him for a few seconds, look at the space that separated them, look at him again with some doubt in her gaze and then shorten the prudent space she had left between them and feel his shoulder collide with her side. He tensed completely.

-Here you go,-she held out the food to him, -do you mind if I sit a little closer?, I think it's started to get a bit cold- she commented. He just shook his head from side to side at the lack of words for his sudden action.

At some point during the silent dinner he managed to relax his posture a little, suddenly he was looking at her fleetingly, it seemed that his mind had her focused on something so he felt safe from her gaze, it gave him a little more freedom to enjoy the closeness.

He could clearly perceive the scent of her hair, thanks to his advanced eyesight he noticed how the fine hairs on his arms twitched at times, he wondered if it was because of the coolness of the night or because of her closeness. Never before had he been so aware of Kagome's body and the effect it had on his own. Of course it had been the first naked woman he had ever seen in his life - the memory of those few seconds of vision made him shudder - although it had been a few seconds he could not deny that he had found her beautiful, yet at those moments he had never thought of touching her nor remembered the reactions she had produced in his body. But then he didn't have much time to think about that of course. However, now, he felt an inexplicable need to touch her, to have her close and his body reacted to any touch that the azabache gave him causing him a strange sensation, one that he had not experienced before and that began to worry him as it seemed to be increasing.

A strong wind whipped the door causing the girl to shiver, she quickly ran to close it and put some pieces of the firewood that still remained to lock it. -A storm is coming,- He said.

-But how? It's not the season.

-Maybe it is the work of some deity, it is very strange that it rains in this season, even more that it threatens to turn into a blizzard.

-Blizzard? Come on, you must be kidding, how is that possible? - she asked, astonished.

-Tzk maybe it's the work of a demon or deity, I should go take a look.

-I'll go with you! - he listened to her with determination

-Of course not, it's going to start raining any minute, you'll freeze out there, I won't expose you unnecessarily, wait for me here.

-No! Inuyasha, if you go I'll go, you won't leave me here alone.

-Arggg Kagome why are you so stubborn?

-Because you don't listen to me - he saw her amused while frowning.

-Okay we'll go tomorrow once the storm passes.

-But...-he heard her refuse -nothing Kagome, I won't expose you in the middle of the night- he ended up shutting her up, he walked towards the place where she was sitting near the fire while unknotting her kosode, he could see the surprise and immediate blush in the girl which made him embarrassed too. When she was just inches away from his body he covered her with the fire rat and took her bridal style which made the girl let out a shriek of surprise - waaa - he quickly placed her in his sleeping bag and positioned himself at a safe distance leaning against the wall and closing his eyes - Your bag will not protect you from the cold, it is thinner than normal, I thought you had gone to your time to prepare yourself with the necessary things Kagome? - he claimed her in an annoyed tone for her carelessness still with her eyes closed.

-Thank you InuYasha, I'm sorry, I didn't think we would have this weather, besides I didn't want to carry too much stuff, that's why I only packed light.

-Tsk, what can we do - he said resigned - sleep kagome, tomorrow we have a long way to go.

-Oyasumi InuYasha

KAGOME'S POV

Only to them could this happen, a storm in the middle of spring weather what were the chances, but at least she was with InuYasha. He had turned down her idea to accompany him to investigate tonight to protect her. She was a little surprised that he told her in so many words, she had heard him right, he had said he wouldn't expose her in clear protective tones. InuYasha always protected her -she smiled at the thought- Suddenly she saw him start to untie his kosode, the sight was simply too much for her heart, her hanyou walking towards her while undressing in the dark,she was sure his intention was not to seduce her -but why the hell does he look so sensual while undressing! Kagome, stop thinking perverted things, get a hold of yourself - she was trying in vain to calm her racing heart and the heat in her cheeks, suddenly she felt the familiar warmth of the fire rat, until then she hadn't realized she was actually starting to freeze - of course he just wanted to shelter me, aghh silly perverted Kagome, you think he was getting ready to lay down next to you and warm you up, what did you expect? - she thought amused. - Suddenly she was in the air in his arms. Even with the initial surprise she only had a few seconds to enjoy the contact, as she soon found herself wrapped in her own sleeping bag.

She watched him take up his usual position not far from her and heard his reprimand for not preparing properly. She had to admit that she hoped to use that to her advantage and perhaps that night would be a good occasion.

INUYASHA'S POV

For a moment he pictured himself with Kagome in his arms sitting on his lap as he hugged her with his haori covering them. In his head that was the quickest option to keep Kagome from getting cold. - How could I imagine something like that, what excuse could he come up with? - hey kagome you can sleep in my arms, it's for your health, so you won't be cold - sure baka!

There they were again those thoughts that had never crept into her mind before.

-Inuyasha - she heard him call me.

-mhj - he answered still with his eyes closed just to let me understand that I had his attention.

-you...you won't be cold? The storm is stronger and you only have your hakama?

-I'm fine, Kagome you don't hav...-but she didn't interrupt before continuing.

-This bag even though it is thinner can be extended you can share it with me if you want, so neither of us will get cold...

He opened his eyes in surprise, the images of him and Kagome sharing such a small space...-B..b..b..but what things are you saying Kagome! -completely blushing.

-In my time it's normal InuYasha, when we go camping everyone does it to save on luggage- she answered him innocently.

-What? he stood up angrily, making the girl jump with fright,- are you saying that you shared that -pointing to the bag- with hobo-bobo? -the very idea that that useless human had put his hands on Kagome made her blood boil.

-Of course not InuYasha, I've only shared with Eri and Yuka - he reminded Kagome's chattering friends - of course I don't trust any boy in my time, you are the only boy I trust and my best friend so it's not bad ne?- he let out with an adorable smile mixed with embarrassment and doubt.

She said I'm the only boy she trusts, her best friend? - the silver-haired boy's heart began to beat in a hurry at such a confession, he knew that Kagome trusted him with her life every time they entered a battle, but she had never told him that he was the only boy she trusted, much less that she considered him her best friend this made him as happy as it made him sad, she had said: "best friend" when she had once called him her "beloved InuYasha" did it mean then that she only saw him as her friend, the best, but only her friend?

-Come on...come - he heard her say as she opened her sleeping bag after opening a section in a strange way (with zipper) which made the bag twice its size. And he felt with his hand for the space to lie down.

What the hell is going on kuso this is definitely not normal, only married humans and mates share a bed. Kagome and I are not married, we are not mates. - He could feel the strong heat on his face from the noticeable blush that should be covering him, his fists had automatically clenched in response to the mess in his head - Kagome comes from the future, and if she says this is normal...

-InuYasha...- he heard her call out to him, looking at her he could see the disappointment in her eyes and could almost smell the sadness enveloping her -Kagome is inviting only me to share her bed, because she trusts only me...- he repeated to himself to give himself strength. He started to walk towards the azabache and the instant his hands touched the bag to make more space he felt how the smell of nervousness and happiness reached his nose - This woman is definitely going to drive me crazy - he said to himself resignedly while he got under that strange futon of the future. He felt her move to give him more space but they were still inches away from touching, he turned his back to her and made sure he was in a position where he had no contact, he used his left arm as a pillow and focused his gaze on the door of the cabin. - It's only a few hours, as soon as she falls asleep you can leave, she won't notice. I won't be able to endure having her so close all night. - he struggled internally.

KAGOME'S POV

She had made it, InuYasha would sleep with her tonight. It had been a very risky move she admitted, for a moment she thought the hanyou would yell at her that she was crazy or something like that for proposing something so " indecorous" for that time, but InuYasha was not a prejudiced human, and he knew the future well enough to understand that if she was proposing it was not a problem nor did she see it wrong, such behavior between them. When she felt him get into the sack a complete immense happiness ran through her. She wanted to hug him and bury her face in his beautiful silver hair, but she restrained herself. With hard work she had gotten him to agree, she knew it had been difficult for the hanyou to make the decision as she watched him debate internally. In the end she felt grateful and touched that he trusted her.

Besides... she knew that KiKyo would never have thought to propose anything even remotely close to this, if she trusted what Elder Kaede had shared with her when she asked about the relationship between the priestess and the silver-haired man, InuYasha hadn't even entered Elder Kaede's hut before Kagome arrived, and when he traveled he always stayed in trees. So she could take pride in being the first to share her bed.

Final Comments:

I hope you enjoy the new chapter. This story is coming to an end in its original Spanish version. I ask for your patience as I'm translating myself, and English is not my first language but I enjoy doing the translations as best as I can so this story can reach more InuYasha lovers.

I thank you immensely for the reviews and your love for this story.

I remind you that you can access the chapters in advance from my main page. Which you can find the links on my facebook profile called Taisho Fanfics.

Read you later.

Mata ne!