Disclaimer:  Inuyasha does not belong to me…….

Nuttin to say……..sowie if last chapter was boring and pretty short too……..

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            The room they were in now was impressive as Sango and Kagome stood side by side in the large room.  The room was not overly large though the fireplace was huge and heated the room with generous warmth that was much appreciated.   

            There was a bustle of activity since their arrival only a few days ago.  An excitement filled the air over their return.  Women had hurried to their lately absent men with eager smiles and outstretched arms.  Hugs and kisses were exchanged between the soldiers and their lovers.

            Miroku walk into the room followed by Inuyasha trailing behind.  Inuyasha slipped his arms around Kagome.  "Come, you should rest."  Inuyasha said pushing Kagome to the large door.  Instantly Kagome temper flared up.  "I'm not tired."  Kagome felt active and did not wish to remain in their room.  Inuyasha rested his hands on her waist, a slim, curving waist he remembered and wished to familiarized himself with again.  Rest while I tend to some matter then I will show you more about my home."  Inuyasha said, totally ignoring what Kagome had said.  Kagome slipped out of his embrace and stomp over to Sango and drag her out saying "I don't need you, I'll go exploring myself." 

            Inuyasha chuckled and slap Miroku on the back pushing him to the door as they both went down the stairs to the keep room where they maintain Inuyasha's home and everything else.

~*~

"You admire him."  Sango commented plainly when they were alone in the hallway. 

Kagome just stared up ahead with a blank expression on her face. 

            "You grow fond of him."  Sango said

Kagome stopped abruptly and stared at Sango.  "Do I?"  Kagome knew at one time she had fallen in love with Inuyasha but….she still had doubt in her heart.  *A scar is always a scar, it will never leave* Kagome thought to her self. 

            "I think you do.  I noticed you do not object when he touches you in public; but I don't think you would object when you guys are in your own room."  Sango teased.  Kagome blushed at yesterday event and continue to listen to Sango words as she climb up the steep stairs. 

            "Do you enjoy his touches?" 

Kagome was surprised at her own quick response.  "Yes, I do."  She shook her head.  "I think I do…I feel this tingle when he touches me.  At first I thought it was the baby, but I realized it had nothing to do with her at all.  It was her father doings."

            "The tingle pleases you?"

Kagome smiled, stepping into the narrow hallway.  "Since do not object to his touch then I guess I enjoy it." 

            Kagome and Sango enter the firs door to their right.  There were tow room on this floor and Kagome felt an attraction to this room.

            As they enter, both notice a big portrait of a young lady.  She was wearing a rosy dress, which made her look graceful like a swan on water floating about.  Her eyes were wide and brown that show much caring.  The delicate features were tempting and angelic.  Her creamy skin was almost like transparent.  But to Kagome the most beautiful part about her was her gracefulness and the intensity of her eyes.  Kagome was mesmerized by the beauty of the portrait.  "Who is this woman?"  Kagome asked no one in particular. 

            "She is Kikyo, Inuyasha dead wife."  A cold but soft voice said by the door.  Kagome turn her head and saw Sesshomaru leaning on the door.  He too was looking at the picture.  Kagome turn back to the portrait and sigh to herself.  *How can I compare to someone so beautiful…* Kagome thought, turning around heading for the door she left with Sango rushing to her side leaving Sesshomaru in the room.

~*~

Inuyasha was tired after his management with his mansion.  HE was practicing his sword, managing the villagers and the keep and also at the same time thinking about Kagome.  Where she was?  What she's doing?  Stepping in to his room he saw Kagome looking out the window at the darkening sky. 

            Inuyasha untied his shirt and removed his inner shirt, tossing it on a nearby chest.  Kagome at first thought to look at him or at least acknowledge his presence but she was in no mood.  Her mind kept on wandering to Kikyo.  Finally Kagome set her eys on his golden ones then it settle on his bare chest.  It was impressive and appealing.  Hard muscles and smooth skin and not a scar to be seen.  It tempted the eye and the hand.  HE was meant to be touch, explored, and enjoyed and the thought disturbed her with Kikyo on her mind.  Why would she ever think such thing?  Fool she was, she actually wanted to eb with him.  She never knew how he truly feel, all he says was she was his duty.  Was duty all he felt?

            Inuyasha was experienced enough to see confusion and the want in her eyes and he intended to take advantage of her own desires, fair or not.  HE had learned long ago that fairies were not always part of the game.

            He stepped toward her.

Kagome stood up and went to a far corner, away from him, away from herself. Her heart was pounding. 

            Inuyasha looked her over slowly, lingering in the most intimate of places.  She wore only a shift of soft white wool.  The hem fell at her ankles, the sleeves at her wrists, and the neck dipped barely beneath her collarbone.  Her long dark hair, shiny and straight, fell to her waist, and her wide eyes wore the look of a frightened animal caught in a snare.

            Inuyasha smiled, for he had caught her firm and hard and he had no intention of letting her go.  She was his, plain and simple.

            His wife.

            His woman.

            His lover.

And he intended to see that she remained all of those and more.

            "Comfortable?"  Inuyasha asked, knowing the answers. 

"I want my own room from now on."  Kagome said stupidly. 

            "Your place is besides me." 

"Who says?"

His eyes deepened.  "You are my wife, and your place is with me in bed."

"Whether I wish to or not?"  Kagome said raising her hand in questioning pose.

"You have a duty."  Inuyasha cringed at his own words and Kagome heart hurt so much when he said that.

            *I was right.  He does not love me.  Duty….how I hated that word*

"What you say is that I have no choice."

"There is always a choice.  It is how you respond to that choice that makes the difference."

            She thought on his words and understood the wisdom of them.

"Why not give us a chance?" 

She paused to reason, but how did one make sense of emotions?  HE had hurt her with his deception and, while she attempted to understand it, part of her found forgiveness difficult.

            "I trusted you," she said with honesty.

He stepped toward her and she made no move away from him.

"I'm foolish to once trust you."  Kagome said seconds later. 

Inuyasha stop in his tracks.  "Why do you hide your feelings, Kagome?"  Inuyasha said raising his voice.  Inuyasha move in closer and slid her gown off her slim shoulders.

            Kagome took a intake of breath as his fingers played with her nipple, squeezing, rolling, and pinching to a fever pitch.  "You respond to my touch."  Inuyasha said looking at her with a teasing glance from his golden eyes. 

            Kagome was about to take a step baclward but Inuyasha grap her waist and pull her to him. 

            Flesh touching Flesh.

Inuyasha lower her to the bed staring at her eyes.  They were filling with confusion, doubt, need, and longing.  He seems to understand he stillness, and her silence and he wrap his hands around.  "Go to sleep.  I am by your side and that is where I will stay.  You have no need to fear anyone. 

            He grew quiet and then whispered in her ear. 

"Especially me."