How Do I Find Her?

I don't think there is any way that I could possibly fathom how to accurately describe the pain to you. And I'm not talking about what Naraku did to me, or what I did to myself for that matter.

I'm talking about seeing Naraku's tentacle pierce straight into Kagome's shoulder. I couldn't breathe, my entire body physically vibrated with pain, I felt like I was going to be sick, My vision blurred... The rest I probably just can't remember. Anger, pain, sadness, insanity all flowed through me as I did the only thing I felt that my body could do. I let out the most maddening scream I've ever let out in my life, and I charged, straight for Naraku's heart.

I let off one Kaze No Kizu after another. Careful not to let off an attack too big that it would endanger Kagome. And I kept moving kept swinging until the darkness of unconsciousness consumed me.

But no, wait!

I can't give in. I must fight this fog, this dream. I have to get back to the battle, back to Kagome.

Kagome...

"Kagome!"

I'm shocked back into consciousness and greeted with pain. I have to admit though; it's not as bad as I thought it would be, even though it still hurts like hell.

I crack my eyes open and am greeted with... with... What the hell, a ceiling?

I intake a breath through my nose and smell herbs, ointments, and dried meat and vegetables. Kaede's place. I can also smell the Taiji, Monk and kitsune. Where's Kagome?

Right then, the old bat enters my vision as she leans over me. She must have heard my initial outburst and came to check on me.

"InuYasha, are you awake?"

"I'm looking at you, aren't I, Baba?"

"And back in good humor I see as well. Miroku, Sango, Shippou, InuYasha is awake!"

Why wasn't Kagome's name included in that list?

I sit up and take in my surroundings. On beds on the opposite side of the room are Miroku and Sango. Shippou is sitting on Miroku's lap and Kirara on Sango's. But there's no sign of Kagome. It's then that I realize I'm lying on her bed.

"Where the hell is Kagome?"

"InuYasha, lay back down. You are not well yet and need your rest."

"Can it Baba. You know I'm fine, where is Kagome?"

"Good news InuYasha," Miroku calls to me from across the room, "We defeated Naraku, well, you did actually. Congratulations, the Shikon No Tama is complete."

"Damnit, won't anyone answer me?!"

Why won't they tell me?! Is something wrong? Is Kagome... did she...

I throw the covers off and get out of the bed, stomping towards the door. I falter a little and lean against the doorframe to gather my bearings.

"InuYasha!"

Sango calls to me from across the room.

I stand upright again and turn to glare at them.

"I said I'm fine. Now, tell me where the hell my woman is, now! Before I decide it more efficient to rip the information out of you!"

Sango and Miroku stare at each other, eyes wide and mouths open.

"Did...did you just call..."

"She's fine InuYasha, calm down. She's in her time, she should be back today."

I can physically feel myself relax. For one, it doesn't hurt to breathe now and my throat doesn't feel like Sesshoumaru has a hold of me anymore.

Kagome's safe and alive.

I check the sun outside as an idea forms in my mind.

Yes I do get a good one occasionally.

...

Shut up...

I walk back over to Kagome's bed and pile her blankets and pillows onto it along with her backpack. Lifting it, items and all, I make my way out of the hut and into the forest.

As I leave, I catch Sango's remark.

"What the hell is he doing?"

........................

God she's beautiful. I could spend the rest of my life just watching her. Have I mentioned yet that I love everything about her? Well I do. I love the way her raven-black locks and her soft, pale turned lightly tan from four years of traveling skin contrast amazingly. The dark seductive lashes that hide her sparkling blue eyes. Her sensuous full rosy-tan lips. Her every line and curve, from her smooth shoulders down to her gentle hands and noble feet.

I smile as I watch her go through her wake up routine.

She frowns, and rubs her eyes, groaning at the light, before stretching, yawning and finally opening her eyes to greet the day.

I watch the emotions that play across her face as she takes in her surroundings. Surprise, nervousness, curiosity and joy.

After stealing the things that she had left in Kaede's hut, I had gone through the well where Kagome was still peacefully sleeping in her room.

"Wow..."

The small breathy word escapes her lips.

"Do you like it?"

I grin as I see her jump in surprise before whipping her head around.

"Oh my goodness..."

Reasons why I love Kagome number five thousand six hundred and seventy two: Her eyes. They're a window into her soul mesmerizing me every time I look into them.

The emotions playing through them right now fill me with love and joy overflowing. Surprise, relief, love, joy, astonishment, love and love.

Tears that fill her eyes begin to fall down her cheeks as she launches herself at me, tackling me into the pillows. She wraps her arms around me and cries into my chest, soaking my shirt.

Not really knowing what to do, I settle for wrapping my arms around her and gently running my fingers through her hair. I have to admit though, I would probably end up doing this to her anyway, even if she wasn't crying.

After a moment, she lifts her head and looks at me, relief still evidently shining in her eyes. Then to my delight, she begins to rain kisses over my face and neck while her mouth murmurs against my skin.

"Oh my god. I can't believe you're awake. Thank god you're awake! I was so scared. I can't believe you're here. I must be dreaming...."

Laughing, I capture her face between my hands gently and look her in the eyes.

"You're not dreaming, I'm really here."

"I'm not dreaming?"

"Heh, no."

"Then.... Where are we? How did I get here?"

"Well you're here because I went back to your time and brought you here, which I'm hoping you don't mind, and currently we're deep in my forest."

"Your forest? I've never seen this place before..."

Kagome lays her head on my chest, still eyeing the scenery as she listens to my explanation.

"I found this place back when I was a pup. It's somewhere where I knew no one would be able to find me and that I'd be safe. Kikyo didn't even know about this place."

"This is a good sized clearing, how is it that no one else has found it?"

"There's an eighty foot wall of thornbush surrounding this place. Only small animals can fit through and only birds bother to fly over."

"How did we get here?"

"Treetops, I jumped over the wall."

Kagome falls silent for a moment, obviously in thought. I hope she's not mad that I brought her back from her time. She usually gets angry and I didn't exactly ask....

"Inu..."

"Hai?"

"Thank you... for sharing this with me. I know you don't like to talk about your past so... this means a lot to me."

"Feh, of course. You're supposed to share everything with your mate."

Ah shit, did I just say that? I know Kagome loves me but.... She's not exactly my mate yet. We haven't done that. I'm not even sure she would want to do that with me...

"Mate?"

Damnit, why did I have to open my huge ramen hole?!

"Uh... well... um... if... if you want to... I mean... uh.... I want to but if... I mean I love you... um...shit..."

Two hundred yen! That's right folks, step right up and for just two hundred yen you can see the amazing babbling idiot...

I can feel the crimson blush flaming up my neck all the way to my hairline. I can't believe I just suggested THAT to Kagome! Not daring to face her, I squeeze my eyes shut and wait for the slap or "sit" or "hentai" accusations. What actually came caught me completely off guard.

Kagome gently taking my face in her hands and pressing her lip to mine in a sweet, soft, warm kiss.

"Inu, I would love nothing more than to be your mate."

My eyes shot open and I stare at her as if she just told me that Sango bent over in front of Miroku and the lecher DIDN'T grab her butt. I swear my heart has just grown legs and decided that it wanted to try and beat the wind in a footrace.

"Kagome... I... uh... really?"

A fiery blush colors her cheeks as she stares at my chest and nods her head.

Kagome yelps in surprise as I flip us over so that I'm on top and begin to kiss her with everything in me. Licking her bottom lip, I beg for entrance and she readily gives it. Slipping my tongue inside her mouth, I taste her in a whole new way. I pull away from her lips and begin working down her neck to her shoulder and collarbone. I can hear her heartbeat and breathing increase as I work my way down. The bathrobe she's wearing comes loose and I get a nice view of smooth skin from neck to diaphragm. I can't help but pause and gaze at the beautiful, perfect, pure woman beneath me...

Pure...

Kagome and I both groan in disappointment as I pull away. Damn I don't want to pull away... But I have to make sure Kagome knows what she's agreeing to.

"Kag..."

I clear my throat and try again.

"Kagome. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. But, are you sure this is what you want? I mean, what about your family and friends? What about school? Do you even know what it means to be a youkai's mate?"

"Inu, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you too. I'm done with highschool and college doesn't matter now. My friends are here. Sango Miroku, Shippou, Kaede, I love you all and trust you with my life. I can always go back and visit my family, besides, it's customary for a woman to move away from home when she marries, and you know that. And as far as being a youkai's mate, all I know is that it means forever, that's all I care about. If there's anything else I need to know, I'm sure you'll tell me."

It was taking all my self-control not to just take her and ravish her. I had to explain it to her.

"Kagome... to be my mate, you have to... we have to... um. I have to...take you... your innocence... your purity."

"Inu."

Her soft voice calls my gaze back to her eyes. The love and sincerity I see there gives me the courage to not run off with my proverbial tail between my legs. I'm not sure when she started calling me by that nickname. I think it was a month or two ago. I've noticed that she only uses it when we're alone.

"I've waited my whole life to find the man that loves me as much as I do him. I've found you Inu, I'm ready."

Capturing her lips with mine, heaven and earth collide as I dive into pleasure unknown.

..........................

I hope you guys have enjoyed this because, guess what... It's not over! Muahahaha! There's still one chapter to go. I have a few things to tie up and then it's over for good, I promise. Then it is back to The Truth Shall Set You Free. I'm hoping to make that story a little lighter than this one. Anyway, tune in again in another couple of days for the end.

Oh, by the way, thank you all for your reviews. Most of them cracked me up, but all of them were very encouraging. I appreciate you taking the time to consider my work and respond with you thoughts.