Inuyasha landed between the branches of Goshinbeku and let go of Kagome just long enough to sit down with his back against the tree and pull Kagome in his lap.
"You really are here." Kagome sighed as she grasped Inuyasha's hand and pulled his arms tighter around her. She could feel him nod behind her and a low rumble started in his chest.
"I missed you so much, Inuyasha." Kagome sighed, sadness lacing her voice. "I dreamt of coming back to you so many times. You'd be waiting for me by the well, and you'd pull me out. We would hug and kiss, and I'd see Sango, Miroku, and Shippou run towards us. We would go back to the village together chatting. I miss the others so much too." Inuyasha could smell her tears, and he started rubbing her palms with his thumbs.
"They are doing well. Miroku and Sango got married and had children. Twin girls first, and then a boy. Kohaku started rebuilding the clan and I have no doubt the brats became demon slayers. Shippou started traveling with my asshole brother to become stronger, and Rin started learning from Kaede. When the well opened and allowed me to come here, they were all very happy and living an amazing, peaceful life all thanks to you." Inuyasha said. He wanted to put her mind at ease. He could hear her sniff and nod.
"I'm glad." She said and leaned into him more. They sat there silently for a few minutes longer before Kagome started to turn around in Inuyasha's lap, the wiggling her hips making him groan. She didn't say anything as she stared at his face, her hands slowly raising up to touch his cheeks. Inuyasha leaned into her touch and watched her with curiosity. His skin was a bit more tan than she remembered, his eyes held more understanding and maturity than when she first met him. She could have also sworn he became taller and more muscular as well, but sitting down it was hard to tell. Her left hand found its way to his hair, her fingers getting tangled in it, and her right hand brushed his silver bangs out of his face until they reached his ears. Kagome slowly caressed one and leaned forward.
With her pink lips slightly parted Inuyasha had to swallow as he saw her nearing his face. There was a light blush on her cheeks and she stared at him with half lidded eyes. When he felt her fingers brush against his ears he had to fight a shiver that tried to run down his spine. He met her halfway, with his own eyes closing and cheek blushing. This kiss wasn't like the chaste peck they shared by the water fountain. This one was slow but passionate, both of them pouring years of pent up feelings into that one kiss. Kagome moved to get closer to him, her hand slipping from his hair to his chest, and for a second she was disappointed to remember he wasn't wearing his red fire rat.
"What's wrong?" Inuyasha asked confusion in his voice. He could smell the disappointment, but he couldn't read her face.
"Oh nothing. I just like the red on you more." Kagome giggled. Inuyasha leaned in for another kiss when Kagome's phone went off. They both jumped back a bit and Inuyasha growled at the offending item in Kagome's hands.
"Hello?"
"We are waiting for you guys by the food court. The girls dragged me into every store and I really want to eat and go home. Please hurry." Souta said and hung up without waiting for a reply.
That was very uncommon for him, but Kagome knew what it was like to shop with her friends. She sighed as she put the phone back in her skirt pocket.
"We should head back to the mall. I think they have a ramen bar. We will have plenty of chances to be alone later, okay?" Kagome knew the ramen will help coerce Inuyasha to head back to her friends, although she would rather be sitting here with him.
He stared at her for a moment and a slow smile crept on his face. He stood up with her still in his arms and he made his way back to the mall. He wasn't nearly as quick to get back there as he was in his get away, but it still only took a few minutes to get there.
"Stop here, Inuyasha" Kagome called and he obliged. He set them down between the trees in the parking lot. "People can't see you jumping from building to building, that will start questions and rumors. We can just walk from here." She grabbed his hand and they walked inside.
As they approached the food court, Kagome could see her friends and brother sitting at a large table, with shopping bags sprawled all over it. Eri and Yuka were arguing over what to eat, while Ayumi talked with a blushing Souta.
"Ahh, you guys are back. Did you have a… good… talk?" Eri asked as she looked between Kagome and a glaring Inuyasha. She glared back at him and squinted her eyes. Before Kagome could answer Yuka was next to her, grabbing Kagome's unoccupied hand and leaned close to her ear.
"Now I can understand why you put up with his two-timing and his shit for so long. He is cute" she squealed not at all quietly. Inuyasha grumbled something and turned away from the girl. He will have to ask Kagome later what two-timing means.
"Maybe if he wore clothes that actually fit him" Eri murmured. Inuyasha shot her a look and growled quietly. What was her issue?
"Oi, what the fu-" Inuyasha was cut off when Kagome elbowed him in his ribs.
"Let's get something to eat, Inuyasha and I will shop later, it seems like you guys are already done." Kagome said trying to avoid a conflict between her friends and Inuyasha.
Eri rolled her eyes, clearly wanting to ask Inuyasha to finish his question, but seeing Kagome's pleading eyes she just nodded silently. They all made their way to the food stalls and came back to their table with trays full of food. Inuyasha sat down between Souta and Kagome, before any of the girls could. He put his right hand on her left knee and started caressing her skin with his thumb. A shiver ran down Kagome's spine and she let out a small gasp only Inuyasha could hear.
"So Inuyasha" came Ayumi's voice. "How did you meet Kagome? And how come we are just now being introduced to you?"
"Well, you know how I used to be sick a lot in high school, it was never really the right time then, although I think you may have seen him passing a few times. And after high school, Inuyasha had to take care of family so we were separated." Kagome answered, tactfully leaving out how they met. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at Kagome, and glanced at Ayumi.
"What she said. Except now I will be able to stay with her." He said, the determination in his voice not going unnoticed by anyone at the table.
"Why now, did the family you take care of die?" Eri asked sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Ayumi and Souta looked up from their meals with a gasp, and Kagome's eyes hardened.
"Eri? How can you ask something like that?" Yuka held her hands up to her mouth.
"What is your problem, bitch?" Inuyasha asked with a threatening voice.
"My problem with you is that usually when Kagome cries it's because of you. I have watched her cry over you for years! In high school, because of your two-timing, and after that, because you cut her out of your life. You weren't the one picking up her broken pieces. And almost 4 years later, you waltz back into her life like nothing happened and she falls to her knees in front of you like you're a god. You don't deserve her." Eri said, each of the words dripping with anger.
Before Inuyasha could even reply Kagome stood from the table and leaned towards Eri.
"You have no right to speak to him like that." Kagome's voice was hard and cold. Inuyasha could feel Kagome's reiki swirl around her. "I know you want me to be happy but you don't know our relationship, and you don't know him." Kagome grabbed his hand and started leading him away. "I'll see you at home, Sota." Kagome yelled over her shoulder as she stomped away from the group, Inuyasha close behind her.
He could still feel the sparks of her energy and it made him smirk. He pulled his hand from hers, and dropped his arm around her left shoulder. He planted a kiss on her head as they continued walking.
"What are we shopping for Kagome?" he asked, wondering if that's the right thing to ask. She was still fuming and he wanted to take her mind away from what just happened. They can talk about it later when she is calm. He chuckled at how Kagome would always be the one to calm down and not let anger over take him during a battle.
Kagome looked up at Inu Hanyou incredulously.
"What?" she asked in a small voice.
"You said we need to shop." He said the smirk still on his face. When did he become so handsome? He is definitely taller, Kagome noted. She let out a large sigh and relaxed her shoulders. Inuyasha was with her. She gave him a bright smile and nudged him toward one of the stores.
"We will get you comfier clothes!" she said as she led him to a rack of jeans.
"Great, I hate these." Inuyasha grumbled as he pulled at his pants making Kagome laughed. Inuyasha relished in the sound and smiled back at her.
Twenty minutes later Inuyasha stood in front of a dressing room his hands full of clothes.
"Go in, put them on, come out, and show me. I'll bring you different sizes if they are too small or too big. We will take whichever ones you like." She said beaming at him.
Inuyasha walked in with a blush on his face, and sighed as he pulled the curtain shut behind him. He seriously needed to stop blushing when she smiled. He isn't 12 years old for fuck's sake. He grabbed a pair of dark blue jeans and a red long sleeve shirt, and put them on. He stared at the mirror for a minute before he decided the shirt was fine but the jeans were too small on his calves. He took off the shirt and decided all the ones that are the same size will be fine. He'll just need to figure out the pants. He slipped out of the pants.
"I think I need a bigger size of this." He called over the curtain. He put the pants down and reached for the next pair. A movement in the mirror caught his eye and his ears twitched when he heard the curtain move.
"Which one?" Kagome asked as she poked her head in the dressing room.
Her face immediately turned red when she saw Inuyasha's undress. She stared at his muscular back with her mouth slightly open. How many times has he carried her on his back? Her eyes ran up to his shoulders and down his strong arms. How many times have those caught her? Looking at his strong legs, she understood how she can be so quick.
Inuyasha slowly turned towards her with a raised eyebrow. Her blush was evident, but somehow she still didn't look away from him in embarrassment. He watched as her eyes rake over his body, a small sound escaping her lips, and he smirked darkly at her. He took a step toward her, grabbed her arm and pulled her into the dressing room. Kagome squeaked and Inuyasha put his hand on her mouth.
Kagome looked at him with wide eyes, his hand feeling hot against her own skin. She could feel his breath on her face, but all she could see was his chest and she knew she had to look like a tomato. She lifted her head to see him looking back with the widest grin she has ever seen on his face.
The look he gave her was close to predatory and it had Kagome's blood boiling. She moaned quietly and Inuyasha leaned down to her ear.
"You might want to be quieter 'Gome." He said and he licked her ear.
Kagome's breath hitched in her throat and she closed her eyes inhaling slowly trying to calm her racing heart. Inuyasha leaned forward and started placing kisses on her cheek, temple and jaw. Everywhere except where Kagome wanted the most. He kissed the corner of her mouth and she whined when he moved away as she tried to kiss him. The whine turned into a low moan when he started kissing and nipping at her neck.
"You smell amazing, Koi" he growled as he bit her lightly right under her ear.
Kagome whimpered against him and moved her hands over his chest. The way her fingers brushed against his skin sent electricity through his veins. Her nails dug into his skin slightly and he growled in approval. Kagome opened her eyes at the sound and watched as Inuyasha stared back at her with a positively predatory glint in his eyes. The light blush that adored his face gave her a bit of courage and she stood on her toes to capture his lips in a kiss. Her left hand stayed on his chest while her right arm dug into his hair and started rubbing his ear. Inuyasha groaned into the kiss and she pushed her tongue into his mouth.
Inuyasha groaned again as he battled her for dominance. Cheeky wench. Inuyasha wrapped his left arm around Kagome's small waist, and his right hand grabbed one of her ass cheeks and he squeezed. She could feel his heat rubbing against her and she shivered. He lifted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding his hardness against her. Kagome's eyes shot open as she moaned. Inuyasha smirked and let her down.
"That one" he said he nodded towards the discarded pair of jeans.
"Huh?" Kagome's brain wasn't processing what was happening. She shook her head and stared at him incredulously. What just happened? She looked at where Inuyasha was nodding and her face flushed with annoyance. She picked up the pair of jeans and threw it at his face. What a jerk! Kisses her like that, just to tease two seconds later? Well that was more than just a kiss, but that just makes it worse! She crossed her arms over her chest and exhaled loudly.
"You are so-" her sentence was cut off short with a kiss and she gave in after a moment of resistance.
Inuyasha pulled back smiling at her.
"Your friends are in this store. When you moved the curtain I could smell they were close." He said as he let her go again. "If you want to talk with them, now might be a good time. I'll look for more pants." He said and he squeezed her hand.
Kagome was still dazed but she nodded and turned toward the curtain. When she got out of the dressing room she found herself face to face with Ayumi who was clutching a sweater close to her chest.
"Ah Kagome! We were looking for you. Eri was way out of line, and she wanted to apologize. I think she is by the women's section by the skirts. Are you all done in here?" She asked as she moved towards the dressing room Kagome came out of.
"W-wait. Inuyasha is changing in there." Kagome stuttered. "He needed some help." Kagome looked away blushing.
Ayumi put her hand on Kagome's shoulder and when the raven haired girl looked up she smiled warmly. Kagome sighed in relief and smiled back at her friend.
"I'll look for Eri" Kagome said and walked away.
"Inuyasha?" Ayumi called out to him. All she heard back was a grunt. She took that as a sign to continue.
"We all love Kagome. She is selfless and kind. We have known each other since we were children and we want her to be happy. I can tell you now that I have never seen her look at anyone the way she looks at you, and every time she spoke about you it was always with a smile. And while yes, she cried, I kenw we didn't get the full story from her, so I never wanted to judge too harshly. While I don't know you, if Kagome is as smitten with you as it seems, you have to be a good guy. At least, until its proven wrong. But until then you have my support." She said. Ayumi stood there a moment longer, but when she didn't get a reply from him she moved toward and empty dressing room.
