A.N. Hi guys. Like I said before, totally my first fic, so support is great. Anyway, sorry for the cliffhanging ending, the story took on a life of it's own, and it got so self-involved I had to break it into two pieces. Tell me what you think. Hope you enjoy, the same way I enjoy reading so many stories on this site. Also, if you think I should continue let me know. I think it can end here, but if anyone would like to see more. tell me.

Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha, and I'm not getting paid. There's some lemony stuff in this chapter, nothing to over the top. . . I hope. ^_^

Kagome sat in a ball, not looking at Inuyasha. He knew he had to clarify himself, but he didn't know how. She was crying softly. Gods, he hated it when she cried. It was like a thousand pieces of glass were being thrown into his heart. He sighed. They were supposed to be honest with each other. That was the whole point. "Look. . ."

"Save it, Inuyasha, I think you've said more than enough for one night."

"Will you listen to me for half a moment! I'm trying to explain myself here!"

"There's nothing left for you to explain. Actions speak louder than words, although, in this case, your words did a pretty bang up job too."

He sighed softly again. "Kagome", he began, placing a hand on her shoulder. She shrugged it off.

"I really don't know why I stick around. There's really nothing here that makes me want to keep jumping through the well. After all, being chased by every demon in the countryside is not my idea of a good time. I guess it was my fault the jewel fragments are scattered all over the place. I suppose I owe you."

"Back in the woods, I told you that things between Kikyo and me were complicated, that I had to avenge her death because I owe her that. And you asked me what I owe you. Kagome, I owe you everything. I wouldn't even be here right now if it weren't for you. Not just because you freed me from that tree. You give me strength, and as much of a handful as I am most of the time, you stick by my side. I am a jerk. An asshole even. You have no obligation to me, Kagome. You owe me nothing."

She sighed, still not looking at him. "I love Kikyo, yes, that's true. She'll always hold a special place in my heart as my first true love. But that doesn't mean I don't have space to care about someone else."

She turned around. "Are you saying you're in love with me, Inuyasha?"

He blushed. "I, um, I'm saying that Kikyo isn't the only person who I care about". She lifted her eyebrows. "I do care about you, Kagome. I worry about you. I want to protect. Look after you."

"What are you trying to say?" Kagome asked again, not taking her questioning eyes off of him.

"I'm saying that I'll always protect you, watch over you. Because you're important to me: to my life. When I feel like giving up I look at you and I can go on. I remember the impossible is possible; I'm reinvested. Ready to face anything and anybody."

"I still don't know what you're trying to get at, Inuyasha. I don't think I quite catch what you mean."

"What I'm saying is, that if anything were to happen to you, I'd avenge your death just as fiercely as I plan on avenging Kikyo's. You may be her reincarnation, but I care about you, for you. I will never let anything happen to you. You mean too much to me, Kagome."

"Inuyasha, I'm afraid I still don't know what you're trying to tell me."

"I'm saying that you mean a lot to me. You opened my heart again, you helped me learn to trust other people and let them in."

"Inuyasha, you're gonna have to be a little more specific."

"Damn it, Kagome. How do you not know what I'm telling you?"

"You're not being clear".

"Gods, are you that big of an idiot that you don't understand that I'm telling you that I love you?" She smiled at him. Inuyasha looked at her. His jaw dropped. It was a trick. It was all a trick.

"That's what I thought you were trying to say." He stared at her; the smile hadn't left her face. He was angry. Words began coming out of her mouth, he didn't want to hear them. He was so angry. She had gotten him to say what he had kept to himself all this time. What he never intended on telling her. And now here it was, out in the open. She knew. The world hadn't come to end. He hadn't died. And she knew.

"Inuyasha", Kagome said, holding her hand out. He looked at her again, his face red with embarrassment and anger.

"What!"

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Yeah, whatever."

"So what happens now?"

"What are you talking about?" He wouldn't look at her.

"You didn't hear me, did you? You weren't paying attention to me. You never listen to me, Inuyasha!"

"I said I heard you!"

"Then what did I say?"

"We both already know what you said".

"Why are you upset? I would have thought you would have been happy".

"Why would you think that?"

"Just admit you weren't listening."

"Whatever." He turned completely away from her.

"I said that I had hoped that you loved me, because I've loved you all this time. And if you had been paying attention to me, for one time in your life you would have heard that."

"What?" He looked at her, his heart beating in his ears.

"Inuyasha, we never finished what you started."

"Huh?" Kagome motioned with her hand, he crawled over to her taking her hand in his.

"Nothing can be simple with you, you always have to be hard headed." She kissed him gently on the forehead. He looked at her.

"What was that?"

"A kiss, Inuyasha."

"I'm afraid your kiss will have to be a lot better than that if we're gonna finish what I started", Inuyasha said, taking it upon himself to begin kissing her deeply.

Miroku was throwing water on his face, trying to calm himself. He had let his emotions and infatuation get the best of him. He shouldn't have done that. He had let his guard down. And Sango had taken advantage of him. This was irony at its finest. Sango walked over to him and sat next to him. He refused to look at her. He had stopped kissing her, he had been the one that said no. Was there really a chance his words were for real? She wasn't sure what to say to him. But the silence was killing her.

"You told me you never asked the girl that you loved if she loved you in return. Not because you were afraid of rejection, but because you refuse to hurt her. I don't buy that, Monk."

"It's true."

"No it's not, you are afraid of rejection. If she didn't love you in return you'd be heart broken, not relieved. Otherwise you wouldn't love her like you said you do."

"I'm not going to hurt her."

"That's not the point. You have your reasons for closing yourself off, for pushing her away. But since you never bothered to ask her if she loved you in return, you have no idea whether or not she loves you enough to take the risk. Because if she loved you the way you claim to love her, she'd take that leap of faith, and bear your child. She'd embrace you for as long as you two had together. She'd understand that if Naraku isn't defeated you would leave her, but she would cherish the time she had with you. It would be her choice to be with a predestined man. It isn't fair of you to make all the decisions for the both of you."

Miroku looked at her with a sigh. "Sango, I am unyielding about this. I will not hurt her."

"The only hurt she'd have is if you don't know her well enough to understand that she wouldn't let Naraku take you from her without a fight. But you are afraid to find out if she feels this way. You've told her that you will not hurt her, but you hurt her by not opening your heart to her. By not trusting that she knows what she's doing, and what she wants."

He looked at her, breathlessly. "If I were to ask her if she loved me. And she said yes, do you think she would open her heart to me in return? That she would sacrifice her happiness to be with me?"

"Yes, that is the definition of love, Monk."

"Tell me something, Sango, how would I go about asking her if she loved me?"

"I'd start by telling her that you loved her, directly, not just in so many words. And then, I would ask her plainly. She'll answer you, and then you will know once and for all."

"What happens after that?"

"I suppose you and her would take it from there, see where it takes you."

"When should I ask her?"

"No time like the present."

"You're right, Sango. I'll go ask her right now." He stood up.

"Where are you going?" Sango asked.

"To her village", Miroku answered, looking at his companion.

"Huh?" Sango's heart stopped.

He smiled at her, and then bent back down. She looked him, not appreciating his joke. But smiling back anyway. "I love you, Sango. I've loved you since we first met. I wonder is it even remotely possible that you could love me too. I wonder would you want to open your heart and take me in, even though I am fated. If it were up to me, I'd be with you forever, but providence may not be kind."

"I know that. I love you too."

Inuyasha had successfully gotten all of Kagome's clothing off, except for the weird looking thing that was now sitting where her shirt had been. He was fumbling with it, not sure what it was he was doing wrong. Kagome only giggled. "You're mocking me, aren't you?"

"No", she pulled away from him. "It's just that 5 centuries later males still can't get bras off", she released it finally letting Inuyasha see what he had only seen glimpses off a couple of times. The glimpses didn't do Kagome's twins justice. He leaned closer to her, resting his head on her shoulder.

"When you say other males can't get that odd thing off, I mean, I thought, you hadn't, you know. . ."

"I haven't, Inuyasha."

"Oh." He blushed. "Kagome, can I be honest with you?"

"Of course you can."

"I've never done this before either." She moved back so that she could look at him.

"Are you serious? I mean, I always assumed you and Kikyo had, you know. . ."

"Um um."

"Didn't you want to?"

"Of course. Well, I mean, she said she wanted to wait. I respected that, but I always felt like she said no because she never trusted me completely." Kagome gave him a sad look. "Don't make those eyes at me, I don't know if I fully trusted her either. Maybe that's how Naraku took advantage of us". Kagome looked at him, her eyes nodding in understading.

"Kagome, if you don't feel comfortable it's okay. We'll only go as far as you want to."

"Well, that wouldn't be very fair to you. I think I've gotten you pretty worked up." She pointed. There was Inuyasha's erection, taunting them.

"Yeah, that. But I am serious, Kagome."

"I know that, so am I. I can't say you didn't warn me." She planted a kiss on his lips. "So are you planning on ravaging me?" He smirked.

"Sango, are you sure, do you really know what you're saying, what this means? What if I leave you, Sango? What if I die? You're about to give up so much for me. I hardly feel worthy of it. If you have any second thoughts, if you don't want to do this I completely understand, I. . ."

"Shut up, Miroku. Just when I thought I was happy you started to speak to me again you go overboard."

"Wait, what did you just say?"

"I told you to shut up."

"No, the part after that."

"I said I was happy you started speaking to me again."

"No, right before that."

She thought for a moment. "Miroku."

"Hum, you never call me that, I'll take that to mean you must be deeply in love with me." He kissed her.

"Don't get excited. It won't happen again", Sango teased. Miroku leaned over and kissed her neck, dominatingly.

"I'm not so sure about that." She moaned forcibly. "When I'm finished with you I think you're gonna be screaming my name."

"Hum." She pulled away, smiling. He couldn't be that more experienced than she was, Sango concluded. "Screaming your name? That remains to be seen, Monk", Sango continued, purposely accenting that word he hated. Miroku glanced at her.

"Just for that, Sango, I'm going to make you beg for it." In one smooth, fluid motion he got her on her back and straddled her legs. With another smooth movement he shed the top half of her kimono, exposing her to him. Sango gasped. "I think it's time I live up to my lecherous reputation."

He bent down and began suckling her left bosom in his mouth, letting his tongue circle the tender flesh around her nipple before fiercely sucking the nub into painful erectness. Sango could only moan as he repeated the calculated process over again, licking every inch of her milky white breast. Just when she thought her poor nipple couldn't stand it anymore, he began a third time. "Ah, ah, Miroku", she cried, making an almost inhuman sound. Her womanhood had already begun to pulsate as he finally moved to her other side, making sure to pay equal attention to her right breast.

She rubbed her fingers through his hair, arching her back up towards him as he circulated her nipple for the last time. She had never known anything could feel so amazing. She was already lost in the sheer pleasure as Miroku began to pull her clothing off all together. "This, I think is more of a hindrance than a help."

He smiled at her as he began kissing her again, massaging his tongue with hers, exploring her mouth. She was leaning towards him, sitting up, running her hands through his hair. Releasing his dragon tail. He continued the exploration. She tried to take over the kiss, probing deeper and deeper until he had to break for air. "Easy, Sango, all in good time." She panted as he laid her down again, and started to claim her neck once more. She moaned once again, and he began working his way down, trailing sloppy wet kisses to her lower abdomen.

Miroku stopped at her naval, looking up long enough to notice Sango biting her bottom lip. She doesn't want to cry out. She won't have a choice soon. He gently spread her legs apart, the spot between them already damp with anticipation. He placed a finger at her opening, not probing just yet. "Hum, not wet enough." Sango opened her eyes, and shot him a look. "Just a personal preference." He kissed her inner thigh tenderly, and Sango relaxed again.

He worked his way excruciatingly slow as he kissed his way up towards his final destination. Just before reaching his ultimate goal he began working his way back down her leg. Then he repeated the painfully grueling procedure on the other thigh. She wasn't sure how much more she could take. She grabbed his hair tightly, pulling him closer. She needed him to get to the throbbing at the top of her legs.

He stopped, looked up and smirked. "What's wrong, Sango. Do you want more kisses?"

"You know very well what's wrong. I can't stand it anymore", she said, her voice rasping with need.

"I'm afraid I don't now what you're talking about. But let me try to make you feel better." He carefully licked the source of all her moaning, lingering a little at her clitoris.

"Oh, oh, Gods, Miroku!" He smiled, and looked at her.

"Sango, are you alright?"

"Miroku, I. . . I can't stand it, much longer. Hurry up." He smiled before licking the same spot again, even more slowly than the first time. Sango toes began to curl. She let out a long, deep moan. She began twitching uncontrollably. Miroku looked up again. Sango drew her legs up, her knees pointing in the air.

She began rubbing her thighs together, trying to relieve some of the tension Miroku continued to build. "Oh no you don't", he said, pulling them apart.

"Come on, Miroku, please. Stop teasing me." Her breath had gotten even thicker, her voice laced with lust. Miroku bent down, and started to suck continuously. Sucking the same area he had twice teased with his licks. Sango unconsciously arched towards him as he twisted his tongue in all the right places. She moaned harder as he squeezed it into her tightness. He added kisses and licks to his ministrations, trying to swallow as many of her juices as he could. She began bucking her hips, her hands having a firm grip on the Monk's hair.

"Miroku, oh Gods, yes. Don't stop, I. . . ah. . .", her words trailing off at her orgasm. Sango couldn't stand it. He didn't stop, his tongue tormenting her until he could feel her orgasm again. "Miroku. . ." She could barely speak. She could feel tears of absolute pleasure well up in her eyes. Why wouldn't he just take her, this was torture. He was enjoying torturing her, wasn't he? He certainly looked smug. . .

Inuyasha wasn't sure what Kagome wanted him to do, so Kagome decided to take over. She was kissing him gently, guiding his hands to her thighs. "It's okay, Inuyasha, that feels good", she whispered. Kagome knew what she wanted, Inuyasha was still a little hesitant, but he was responding to her touch so that had to be a good sign. He carefully caressed her as she placed her hand on top of his, moving it to all the places she had wanted him to touch for what now seemed like a lifetime. She got him on his back, not sure what she was doing, but she went with it.

"Kagome, I. . ." She kissed him.

"I think we're going to have to start by getting these clothes off." He sat up, and she helped him. He worked on the red shirt, she worked on his red pants. She got on her knees; he got on his. They kissed again, his shaft rubbing against her. He kissed her harder, she whimpered. Not to be out done, she kissed him just as firmly. Inuyasha had another trick up his sleeve. He began grinding himself into her, going faster as she pushed herself back against him. Moisture was already beginning to build up between her legs. She wouldn't be able to rest on her knees for too much longer, they were going weak, and ardor was going to her head.

Inuyasha seized control and got her on her back. "I'll take it from here." She smiled at him.

"I think you're going to have to earn that right." She wiggled under him and giggled for a second time.

"Stop being silly."

"Make me".

"I intend to". He tried to get a hold of the situation, ready to enter her, but she gave his buttocks a squeeze then tickled him. "Hey, cut that out. Quit it."

Before he had a chance to get back in control she managed to get from under her soon to be lover. While he was still lying on his stomach she got on top of him. She started playing with the raven colored mane, loving the texture. "Not so quick, Inuyasha. Haven't you ever heard of foreplay?"

"The only play I want to know about is me inside of you." He spun around so that he was on his back, Kagome still sitting on top of him.

"Do you want me?" she asked.

"What's with the stupid questions?"

"So you do want me."

"Yes, dammit."

"Prove it. You're going to have to catch me if you can, Inuyasha". She stood up.

"You're kidding, right?"

She took off sprinting towards the forest. "What do you think?"

I take it her ankle is feeling better, Inuyasha thought, getting to his feet. This was really getting ridiculous. But she could have it her way. She'd be sorry when he caught her.

It was dark out, and Kagome had had a bit of a head start. But she had to realize that Inuyasha wasn't thinking with a clear head at the moment. Or at the very least he was thinking with the wrong one. "I'm going to make you regret running from me."

"Such big talk, Inuyasha." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"You're really asking for it." He chased her a little further into the forest. Where'd she go now? Kagome rested behind a tree. Inuyasha tried to sneak up on her but she had the feeling he'd try that, so she moved just as he was about to pounce. She tried faking him out, pretending to be going right, but then going left. Inuyasha anticipated her plan and nearly grabbed her. She squealed and barely escaped.

She got to a thick part of the woods, thinking she could hold him off by dodging in and out of the trees. "You're not the only one with some fancy moves. I think you've forgotten how quick I am", he got in front of her, blocking her and with one quick move she was back on the forest floor. He regained dominance and rolled on top of her.

"I'd be careful, I don't think you want me to tickle you again", Kagome warned.

"Let me give you a piece of advice. If you're going to be making silly threats make sure you can back them up."

"You don't think what happened the last time I tickled you could happen again?"

"I don't think you're going to get another chance to tickle me." He pressed down hard. Looking at his prize with animal hunger. "Enough with the games. You're mine." Inuyasha started at her lips, kissing and pulling at them with his teeth. Before long he began the same brutal punishment on her neck. Kagome whimpered once again. His abdominal muscles now glistening with sweat, she began moving her hand over his built abdomen. Inuyasha continued to trek further down, Kagome began playing with him, her hands roaming over him, slowly.

She had given him a work out. "You had to know I was going to catch you, Kagome." He was calming down a little.

"I never said I didn't want you to, Inuyasha", she breathed.

Miroku fought the burning urge to finally finish what he had started. He wanted to draw her passion out, but with each cry of his name his erection got more unbearable, the pre-cum oozing out steadily. But he wanted to take it slowly; he had too. He sat up a little, watching her rub her breasts, breathing heavily.

"Let's see if you're ready", he said, sliding one finger inside of her, finding little resistance. "Hum, almost perfect."

Sango could barely form words. "Almost? Miroku, I'm going to explode. No more waiting, now."

"Patience is a virtue, Sango." He smiled again, as he slowly let a second digit slip inside of her. Sango moaned again. Before long she began moving in rhythm as the fingers moved in and out of her. Once she seemed completely used to the pressure, he carefully added a third finger. She's so tight, Miroku thought. She was really turned on. He didn't know how much longer he could hold out. His pre-cum had begun to pool on the ground, tingling sensations running the whole length of his shaft.

She worked herself slowly, but deliberately on his three fingers, keeping the same steady pace as he added the 4th. "You like this, Sango, huh?" She could only whimper in response. She was in ecstasy, moving her body faster with Miroku's thrusts. Miroku stuck his fingers even deeper. As deep as he could get them as Sango pumped harder. "You're enjoying my fingers, aren't you?" She whined again. He leaned down, trailing a kiss to her ear lobe; then leaned in and whispered, "this excited by my hand, just wait until I get the rest inside."

His comment sent her over the edge as she had a third orgasm. Miroku pulled his fingers out. Watching captivated as she bucked again in the air, her wetness beginning to run down her legs, he knew it was time. "I'd say you're ready. I don't think whores get this excited." Sango was exhausted, but her body still ached. She panted rapidly as she watched Miroku position himself at her entrance.

"Miroku", she gasped, reaching her hand to his hard on. Shots of gratification raced through his body. He pushed her hand away. She grabbed him again, pulling him again. He forced her hand away once more, this time swiftly pinning her arms above her head with one of his hands.

He rubbed the tip at her tender entry. Teasing her again, poking her. Each time he backed up, the night's cool air hitting the spot and sending chills up her body.

"Miroku, please."

"Please?"

"Please, Miroku. I need you to."

"Need me to what? You have to tell me what you want." He took his free hand and began agitating her flesh again with his index finger.

"Inside, please, you have to be inside." Her words were slurring, she could barely see, whiteness had blinded her.

"I don't know if I should."

"Do it, take me, right now." He poked his finger inside. She screamed in delight, her body writhing. "Sango, are you sure? Do you truly want this?"

She squirmed, trying desperately to get free. This was complete agony. "Yes, yes. Please, Miroku, I'm begging you."

That was all he needed to hear. He pushed part of himself inside. Then drew back out. He pushed a little further in the second time, once again pulling back out. He was teasing her again. He was truly enjoying this. He repeated the process until with one solid thrust he was inside of her.

Sango winced at the pain, but it was nothing like she had feared. And before she could think about it it had dissipated and pleasure replaced it. Miroku's pace was unhurried; once again he wanted to draw out the sensation inside of her. He pulled almost completely out before gradually working his way back inside to the hilt. He continued to do this, keeping a perpetual tempo. Their hand positions shifted. Sango was holding Miroku's cursed right hand, squeezing it softly to reassure him that she wanted this, wanted him.

His eyes bore into her as he continued; she leaned up and kissed him aggressively. She could tell by his facial expression that he was becoming more excited by it. His control was incredible. Sango could only make small gasping sounds as she felt her body respond to his presence. Before long it was working, she felt herself climaxing slowly, as he continued.

Faster, he has to go faster, her body demanded. He could tell by the look on her face that she wouldn't be able to hold it for too much longer. He increased his rhythm, her body responded. She began pushing back into him, meeting each thrust with one of her own. He began kissing her neck again, in the same manner he had claimed it as his earlier. She was having another orgasm, he could feel her muscles become even tighter.

He couldn't control himself anymore. Miroku was about to come apart. It was all he could do to increase his speed again, trying to hold on to the very end. As pleasure hit him he got a moment of clarity and pulled out releasing on Sango's stomach. His arms gave out and he collapsed on top of his lover, too weak to move. He thought he should let her hand go, but was to exhausted to move it.

"Kagome. . ." It came out breathy, practically a strangled groan. "Mmmmm." With the clothes out of the way and Kagome's playful resistance over with, she was back on top. Presently she was preoccupied with delivering feathery kisses to Inuyasha's chest and stomach, sending shivers of delight up and down his torso. "Is this that foreplay thing, cause if it is, it's wonderful." He'd let her take over more often, she was doing an excellent job.

She smiled to herself. She wanted to take care of him, the way he did her. His temperature continued to rise, fire burning from the object of her desires, it saluting her imperially. "You certainly have a lot of body heat now, don't you?"

Each kiss she placed lower and lower. Sending the same bundle of emotions to his brain, telling him this is what he had been missing all this time. This intimacy he could never have with Kikyo. This feeling of losing it to something higher than himself. As strong as he was he was trembling at the slightest touch of her hand brushing the silky roughness of his chest, her breath breezing the fine hairs on his stomach. He wouldn't have been able to move if he wanted to. He was at her mercy.

"Why are you making that face?" she asked.

"You."

"Am I doing something wrong?"

"No, it's so right it's scaring me."

She gave him one more gaze, before continuing her sojourn down her Adonis' upper body. She had no clue what she was doing, she was definitely past the point of reason. But she went with the feeling. Everything about him thrilled her. Every nook and cranny of his chiseled trunk gave her assurance. And his smell, it was amazing, so manly, so male. She could feel his heart beat in his belly, taste the sweat and anticipation on his thigh. Watching him shiver, respond to her movements was getting her even more excited.

A lifetime later, Kagome reached him, looking at amazement of how beautiful he really was. She cautiously touched it, placing a nerves hand where she had never dared venture before. "Mmmm, Gods, Kagome. . ." She smiled again, he was actually letting himself go, he was letting her take control. She gave the head a soft kiss, getting pre-cum on her lips. She enjoyed the reaction so she repeated her actions, this time in another location along the base. She continued giving him sensitive kisses, each one in a different spot from the last, each one causing Inuyasha to stir a little more.

She finished by placing another kiss where she had first started, then moved up to plant a seductive kiss on his lips. His eyes shot open in surprised pleasure, closing as he wrapped his arms around her. Was this what melting felt like? Kagome wondered unvoiced. What falling and floating and drowning were? Was this all those romance novel clichés come alive, butterflies flying and fluttering across her soul. . .

"Kagome, I. . ." She could only look at him, her eyes a thousand miles from sanity.

"Inuyasha, I'm ready. I want to." She rolled off of him, unto her back. He carefully positioned himself above her, suspended by his forearms and elbows. He looked at her, head whirling. What in the world was he waiting for?

"Let's do it like this", he answered. He helped her onto her side, so that they were facing each other. He moved closer, moving his leg. She intuitively wrapped hers around his waist. He pushed himself inside, wanting more than anything to plunge into the warmth that immediately surrounded him. He waited, unmoving, watching her eyes until they beamed at him and told him it was alright. He began an easy pace, his mind already clouded with rapture. Before long she moaned at his unhurried cadence, grabbing him and meeting his thrusts.

She felt like nothing he could have imagined, dreamed. She was soft, warm, like this was where he belonged. He was taking her in his arms, quickening his movements when she suddenly shifted and pushed him onto his back. Kagome laid on top of him, pushing into him harder, her breasts mashing into his chest. She grabbed his mouth with hers, allowing her tongue to slow dance with his, her hands working themselves through his long midnight- colored tresses.

Inuyasha could barely contain himself. "Gods, Kagome, what are you doing to me?" The words ending in a moan that seemed to come from the pit of his stomach and make it's way all the way up to the back of his throat. She was the one who decided to speed up the rapidity. Inuyasha could only comply weakly.

He was about to lose it. His mind was already long gone. His body close behind. He pulled his arms around her tighter, he could feel himself going over the edge. She was going now, she clenched onto him tightly, and that did it for him, it was all over. Everything came out of him, all his nervous tension, tribulations, self-importance, and deep-rooted fears. For that second, that moment, he was free. He had finally found his salvation.

"Kagome, I. . . I love you. . . I love you." She could only nod as she fell asleep, Inuyasha still inside of her.

Sango didn't know she had fallen asleep until she woke. It was still dark out, and she sighed contently as she snuggled up in Miroku's arms. She wasn't cold, the night's breeze feeling wonderful as she lay naked on the grass with her Monk. "My Monk", she whispered to herself. She smiled. She supposed he was hers and she was his now. She thought a moment, reaching her hand towards her stomach. Dried semen was still caked on her body. He had pulled out at the last minute, why?

Inuyasha woke up startled, trying to figure out where he was and why he wasn't dressed. Then a flashback of the previous night's activities came to him. Kagome was half lying on him, half on the ground, humming a little song to herself, seemingly uninterested in anything other then her current actions. Kagome was playing with his overly sensitive ears. "Ah, my little hanyou is awake."

"Yeah."

"Good, for a while there I thought I'd have to carry you back to the village."

"I guess you've been awake for a while, huh?" Inuyasha asked, sitting up on his haunches.

"Yeah, but then again, I suppose I really wore you out."

He gave her a smirk. "I am pretty hungry."

"I don't think we're that far from the village, we can probably follow the stream back if worst comes to worse. But if you wanna eat first that's fine, maybe I can use an arrow and spear us a fish or something. I'm all out of ramen".

"When did you get up?"

"Around dawn, about when you changed back."

"I fell asleep?"

"That's generally the only way you can wake up, by falling asleep first."

"I never fall asleep when I'm a human. Any of a number of things could have happened to me. To us."

"But they didn't", she stood up, putting on some clothing. "Besides, Inuyasha, I would have protected you."

"What, with your bow and arrow?"

"Yeah, and if that hadn't worked then Kouga would have protected us."

"The same way he protected you last night?" Inuyasha put on his pants, giving her a quick glare.

"I was only kidding Inuyasha, no sense getting all grumpy."

"If you say so."

"I know you can never let your guard down, but there's no use worrying about what might have been."

"Whatever."

"Are you saying you regret last night because something could have happened to us?"

"I regret last night because it didn't happen sooner." She smiled at him, giving him a little kiss. "Next time however, I'm taking charge."

"If there is a next time", she taunted.

"Don't get smart."

"I think you liked when I took control. Isn't that what first attracted you to Kikyo? You seem to go for women that can kill you without even batting an eyelash".

"Kagome", he said, grabbing her arm, "don't flatter yourself."

Miroku was just dressing as Sango finished washing up. It was not yet dawn, but the sun longed to rise, and they had to get dressed before Shippou woke up and noticed their disappearance. They had a long day ahead of them, besides, who knew where Inuyasha and Kagome had gotten too.

"Can I ask you a question", Sango asked, as she put on her shoes.

"Yes."

"I thought you wanted me to bear your child."

"I do, Sango", Miroku said, helping her stand up. "I want nothing more in the world." He didn't release her hand as they walked back to the campsite.

"What about last night?" Sango continued.

"Hum, last night, yes, last night was very nice."

"That is not what I meant."

"Why, Sango, are you saying you did not enjoy last night?" He looked at her with an eyebrow raised. She blushed a horrible shade of magenta. "Your moans misled me, I think."

"I'm not talking about that. I'm wondering why you did not. . ." She couldn't get the words out.

"I did not what?"

"You did not. . ."

"Sango, I know you are not shy." She blushed harder.

"You did not release yourself inside of me."

"Oh, yes, that. Well, I told you that I wouldn't hurt you, and I meant that. I don't want you to bear a child for me until after we have defeated Naraku."

"But I thought that was the point of having a child. If Naraku isn't destroyed you'd have a child to carry on your mission."

"Yes, that is certainly the advantage of having an heir now. However, I desire to raise my child along side his mother. By not having a successor I have a greater incentive to kill Naraku." He smiled at her.

"Hum, I see. I suppose I'm supposed to be touched."

"You're not?"

"If you want me to bear you a child after Naraku is defeated then what was last night all about?" Sango asked, giving him a look.

"Practice." Sango's eyes narrowed. Miroku quickly let her hand go and tried to protect himself from any blows she might think to throw at him.

"You lecherous Monk!" she said, walking away.

"Sango, wait, it is not as if I planned it like this."

"I find that hard to believe, Monk."

"Monk? What's with the "Monk" stuff? I thought we were past all that." He cut in front of her. She stopped, crossing her arms. "I'm sorry, everything I've said has probably come out wrong. I love you, Sango. Which is why I don't want to have a child with you until we know for sure that Naraku is defeated. Which is also why last night was so special to me. Because it was with you."

She looked at him and sighed. He kissed her softly. "Don't think, though, that I will start calling you Miroku all the time. Last night was a fluke." "Hum, I suppose I'll have to find a way to change that. I do like a challenge." Before Sango could make another comment, he patted her bottom. Sango jumped, arm extended, ready to slap some sense into him.

He grabbed her arm. "You have some nerve!" she yelled.

"Well, you were the one who stopped wanting to call me by my name, so I figured if we were getting back to normal I should do my part."

"Getting back to normal? Is that what you call it?" Sango was growing angrier.

"Well, yes. Of course that doesn't mean everything is the same." He lifted her chin with his right hand and placed a tender kiss on her lips. She smiled at him, despite herself. Miroku, the charmer, was at it again. He kissed her once more, letting his left hand lightly wander down her back and to the place it had drifted to a hundred times before. Sango's only reaction was to place her left hand on his check, gently, and pull him closer.