Disclaimer: I don't own them, (but I rule you!) I'm just borrowing them for a little while. Sorry if I spell any names wrong, but I'm pretty sure they're correct.

Author: SailorCreative she is the one named sailor creative

""This means talking, ' ' this means thoughts

Notes: Thanks for letting me know that it's called a haori and hakama! Also, some of you commented that they were going a little fast, and that it's only been two days. Technically, it's day 3, and though the chapters are going through each portion of the story kind of slow, yes it is kind of fast but you could also consider the time period. If you can remember back far enough, Inuyasha has only one week to take care of business before the new moon. Concerning the word 'benevolent', (Laughs) thanks for correcting me. I've made all the necessary corrections for the story (besides a few grammar errors I noticed) and pray to proofread my works a little better in the future. Enough talking, on with the story!

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To Live by Love

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Scroll 10

A few days had passed since Kagome recovered from her illness, and all the while Inuyasha continued to stay at her "kingdom". It was the 5th day of the week now, and Inuyasha's time was running short. All the while, the concept of time seemed to slip from his mind, at least when he was with her. Only two days left until the new moon, and he didn't feel any closer to his original goal. Except, somehow it almost seemed irrelevant.

Kagome ran across the sea of grass, partaking the flower's wild beauty. After the storm passed, there were many puddles still left to bake in the sun. "Hey, Inuyasha, are you up yet?" she chimed cheerfully. The hanyou looked down at her with one eye and smirked. "Yeah, whaddya want?"

"Well," Kagome started, staring at the base of the dark trunk. "Just wondering if you wanted to go into the woods with me... I'm still sort of... Scared to go back by myself just yet."

"Don't tell me you get attacked once and cower in fear for the rest of your life?"

"No... I didn't with you, did I?" she proclaimed, not breaking eye contact. He shrugged, "Feh."

"I'll take that as a yes! C'mon!" Kagome urged, tossing her ebony-colored hair to the side. Today it was in two long braids but there were a few stray strands dangling from the nape. She only wore a simple dress, but it complimented her nicely, of course he wouldn't say that.

Jumping out of the tree he followed behind her in a laid-back pace, wondering what his next course of action would take him. After a few days of just watching her and even some conversations it was clear that she had some interest (like the last chapter didn't give him a clue!) but he didn't know what exactly she wanted. Was there some way to pry into her deepest thoughts? (If only he ever read this fic...)

"So..." Kagome asked, holding her basket out in front of her, "Do you have any family?"

He remained silent and his ears twitched. Sensing the awkwardness of it all she decided it'd be best to change the subject. "Do you know anything about flowers?"

"What more you need to know than the fact it's a flower?" The question was baffling, but it was better than the direction she started with. "There's colors, different types, and I'm sure you're familiar with the different smells, being a dog and all," she clucked.

"Dog-demon," he corrected. A small giggle escaped her rosy lips.

They neared the forest's edge, pushing back some of the branches to reveal a familiar spot. "The lake." Somehow, she ended up here again, where that started, where he nearly lost control.

Inuyasha could sense her tension, and placed his hand on her shoulder, "We'll just pick flowers, no swimming this time... Not in the mood." He walked past her, glad to have overcome that obstacle and stopped holding his breath when she released hers.

It was quiet the day before too, except for a minor demon or two, but they didn't pose any real threat. Everyone seemed to be after the jewel. 'Word travels fast...' he thought to himself. He looked back to see her placidly scanning the flowers before selecting one to pick.

Inuyasha found the nearest tree, jumped up to the lowest branch and sat down with one leg hanging. For all the time he only watched and caught himself enraptured in the sweet melody of her laughter. 'What do I say now? How can... I get to her?' he questioned. He leaned against the tree and looked up at the blue sky. Something had to be done; he was running out of time....

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Night had fallen, and Kagome was asleep when a soft rap disturbed her slumber. 'Who...?' She blinked hard, trying to concentrate. Slipping into one of her dresses she opened the door and looked up at the silver orb hanging in the sky. 'It's almost the new moon...' she blinked once more and her vision began to clear.

"Sorry for waking you."

She gasped, but then eased when she realized it was just him. The one she had despised so much before, the one she couldn't trust, the one who refused to tell her what she was thinking; and now, she didn't know what to think of him but his new behavior was an improvement.

"It's alright, did you want something?" It was surprisingly warm that night and the wind rustled some of the treetops as they spoke.

"Not really, just kind of... lonely, I guess," he muttered. He glanced at his feet before returning her gaze. 'Why does she look at me with such pity? Maybe I could go on this...'

"Oh, well... I guess we could take a walk, but not outside the grounds, 'kay?" The hanyou nodded in agreement as she led him around the corner.

The walk was long, and even though nothing was said between the two both enjoyed the company as always. Finally Kagome couldn't abide with the deafening silence, "How long do you think it'll be before my father comes back?"

Inuyasha shrugged, "How should I know?" With eyes cast down she sighed, "I'm just worried, I guess. When he travels I'm never really sure if he'll return to me. Maybe I'm just paranoid." She plastered a false smile but stopped when she noticed he wasn't buying it.

"I'm sure he will, he seemed pretty stubborn," the half-demon commented.

'Just like some hanyou we all know,' the maiden laughed to herself.

They stepped out of the shadows, and what moon there was created an enchanting glow on her face. Everything about the night seemed to enhance her beauty, if that were even possible. Each day she seemed to become more beautiful than the day before; or maybe that was just his imagination?

"Is it alright if I sit?" the maiden inquired. He nodded again and sat beside her in the grass. Softly she rested her head on his shoulder, a small blush cutting across her porcelain face. Inuyasha put an arm around her, and she snuggled in for warmth.

"'Yasha...?" she asked pensively, "Do you... love me?" Caught off guard the hanyou blushed furiously and felt a sudden pang of guilt when she looked up at him, the color of her face matching his.

"I-Kagome..." he bit a small corner of his lip. What ever it was, it was working and now was his chance. Just one little lie could hurt anyways; he'd be gone as soon as he had the jewel...

Holding her chin with one hand he bent in and tenderly pressed his lips against hers, caressing her petal-soft cheek with the other. When the kiss was broken he ushered a small "Yes" before placing another kiss on her forehead.

Relieved Kagome returned his kiss, pressing her lips against his and hugged him tightly. "'Yasha... I love you..." Tears began to stream down her cheeks, "I don't know, but... All of a sudden I realized it and... I couldn't bear to go on without knowing if you loved me too."

She brought her hands up to the back of her neck, fiddling with something he couldn't see, and then his eyes widened. 'The Jewel....' He gasped.

"Please... have it," she held it out to him and he watched it dangle. At first he just stared his mouth agape. "I can't, isn't that valuable."

She only shook her head, "Please take it. As proof of my love to you." Taking his hand she opened it, placed it on the palm and closed it. With another long tender kiss the maiden then nuzzled him, content just to be there in his strong arms.

When he touched it, he could feel it pulsing, as if it had a heart beat. 'She actually... gave it to me...'

Finally his task was complete, he can finally leave, just run and never look back. He noticed that she had dozed off but only watched as she lay there peacefully. It was his, and all he could do was watch his angel slumber.

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Well I talked so much before this chapter, so I guess it's okay if I really don't have much to say here.. I'm on two-week break, so it should be done within these two weeks. Heck, maybe I'll start something else too. Just 2 reviews will do!