Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha. sob

Chapter 38: Miko's Decision

Kagome gently pushed open the door, and allowed it to close silently behind her. InuYasha was laying on a futon in the corner, in his human form. His haori and white undershirt were tossed to the side, and he had covered his head with a thin blanket. She almost couldn't keep herself from laughing. One leg was hanging out from under the blanket, one arm was hidden under his head while the other was held up against the wall, fingers twitching ever so slightly.

"Look, kid, I appreciate everything but I need my sleep so get out!" He spoke against the pillow.

"InuYasha…" she walked closer.

"Kagome?" he turned his head. "Kagome!" He was smiling at her. That was a good sign. He wasn't mad, not right off anyway. He reached out his hand, and gently touched her cheek.

She melted to the touch, remembering how much she missed him, how much she longed for him to touch her as he was. Finally, she broke down, unable to hide her true feelings anymore. "InuYasha!" She jumped into his arms wrapping herself tightly against him. Kagome felt his arms wrap tightly against her, comforting her. She couldn't help herself, as she started to cry.

"Kagome…what…why-are you crying?" she pulled back where she could gaze into her hanyou's eyes.

"I missed you so much. I had to come, InuYasha, please, just understand I couldn't stay there without you. I couldn't…"

He pressed a finger to her lips, she stopped. "Shhh. It's okay, Kagome. It's my fault for leaving you like I did." He leaned his forehead against hers. "I missed you too, Kagome. I just wanted you to be safe."

InuYasha's words soothed her, calmed her. She was glad, because she still had something she had to tell him, she still had to, even if she was afraid of what he might say. "InuYasha, I-I need to tell you something, but I-I…" she was cut short. InuYasha had twisted her around, his hands holding her just below her hips. He began to nuzzle the back of her neck, nipping her shoulder, and laying a trail of chaste kisses everywhere he could. Kagome lost her thoughts. She couldn't bring herself to stop him, especially as he started to nibble at her ear. He turned her around, gazing deep into her eyes. Without hesitation he lowered his lips to hers. She forgot about everything but him as his hands met with her flesh. She returned the gesture, dragging the tips of her fingers down his chest, shivering under his rippling muscles.

His fangs teased her lips, his tongue tracing along the bottom. She parted her lips, not daring to deny her mate what he wanted of her. Kagome felt herself being pushed closer to her hanyou, as one of his hands rubbed her stomach. Their bodies rubbed against each other; InuYasha growled with pleasure. Kagome loved that sound. It gave her strength, it gave her meaning, and love. She let out a yelp as she was pushed down onto the futon. He pinned her arms above her head, one knee positioned between her legs to keep himself from crushing her. This time he didn't even ask as he plunged his tongue back into her mouth. He moved his hands to rub her sides, and pinned her with his weight.

They both broke the kiss at the same time; Kagome quivered as she tried to catch her breath. Kagome giggled, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

"I love you." Her heart skipped several beats. She loved the sound of those words coming from InuYasha.

"I love you, InuYasha."

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InuYasha was the first to wake. Actually, it wasn't his choice to wake. Kagome, in her sleep, had managed to wrap one of her legs around his and one hand fell in his face while the other rested on his chest. It wasn't that her position was uncomfortable for him, it was just… distracting. He gently moved her hand from his face, bringing her palm to press up against his lips. Her sweet smell was intoxicating to his senses. A low growl escaped from his throat, causing Kagome to stir.

"Ugh…why did you wake me?" she grumbled, slapping his chest and rolling onto her side.

"Oi! You woke me first!"

"Did not!"

"Did too! How would you like to wake up with me sprawled out all over you?"

Kagome smiled, crossing her arms upon his chest. "I wouldn't mind one bit." She replied, giving a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Oh really?"

"Yep."

He plopped down on her, stretching his arm out over her face, and let out a fake yawn. "Alright then, I guess I'll just sleep like this.

"Inu-ya-sha…I can't……breath…"

"Hm? You say something, wench?" he laughed, then rolled back off of her.

"InuYasha, sit!"

THUMP! "Gah!" after the submission spell wore off he sat back up. "Kagome! What did you do that for?"

"You were squishing me, baka! I weigh a lot less than you do, you know." She sat up also and threw his haori at him. "Baka." She yawned.

InuYasha pulled on his undershirt and haori, grumbling about 'that wench' and 'stupid beads'. He didn't really mind the beads too much anymore. He guessed that he was use to them by now. He looked over to Kagome. She was just grouchy from being woken prematurely. InuYasha walked over and laid his head in her lap, letting out a passionate growl. When Kagome didn't react, he nuzzled her hands. She sighed, reaching up and rubbing his ears. Oh man…ears…feels so good. How can she do this every time? InuYasha's eyes closed half-way.

His pleasure was cut short with a knock on the door. "What do you want!" InuYasha knew from the scent it was Haru and the little imp, Jaken, standing outside the door. When no one answered, he reluctantly stood up and jerked open the door. " I said what do you want?" InuYasha crossed his arms in his usual way.

"Lord Sesshomaru requests your and the human's presence in the main hall as soon as possible." Jaken answered. Haru just stood there giving InuYasha an evil glare. Apparently he was only curious about Kagome being in the room with InuYasha.

"Fine. We'll be down in a minute." He answered, slamming the door shut. "Better get ready." He sighed as Kagome started rummaging around for something to change into. What was he going to do about her being here? He was happy she had came, he missed her so much, but now she was closer to Suoh, and closer to the danger he was trying to protect her from. He could make her stay in the castle with Rin, but he really didn't trust Haru around his mate, not by the way the inu had starred at Kagome. He would have no choice but to bring her along with him.

When Kagome had dressed, InuYasha grabbed her hand and led her down the stairs to the main hall. Sesshomaru was already sitting down on one end of the table, Rin sitting on one side and Jaken on the other. He motioned for InuYasha and Kagome to take a seat directly across from him. On the table were all sorts of foods. InuYasha sat down and pulled Kagome up against his side. He could tell she was a little nervous; her hand gripped his arm tight.

"Eat. We will be leaving shortly." Sesshomaru stated. Kagome looked to InuYasha, he nodded. Soon they were all eating in silence. Kagome once again grabbed InuYasha's arm. He looked over to her and smiled. His brother looked at them from across the table with a sense of wonder. "The miko is coming along?" he asked.

"Yes she is. You don't think I'm gonna leave her here do you?" InuYasha shot a look to Haru standing by the door, releasing a low growl.

"Under the circumstances, I would have sent the human back to your little village." He replied, then stood up. InuYasha, Rin, and Kagome followed suit. They all followed Sesshomaru out the door and into the front garden. Neither Kagome nor InuYasha had noticed the garden when they had first come. Flowers of all kinds were growing there. Blues, reds, oranges, purples, and yellows spread out on both sides. Rin ran from Sesshomaru's side humming and joining Kilala to pick some of the flowers. Sesshomaru stopped as he entered the center of the garden.

"Miko. InuYasha has told me you are the one who believes this Suoh is still alive. Why?" he looked past InuYasha straight to Kagome.

Kagome gulped. "I-I sensed him. H-he's trying to steal my powers again, I just know he is." She tuned to InuYasha. "That's why I was getting those headaches and always feeling so tired. His spirit must have been moving close enough to drain some of my energy. When Kaede helped me to find him, his body was almost completely reformed. By now he should be back to normal if not more powerful." InuYasha wrapped an arm behind her back and gave her a reassuring smile. She leaned closer to him.

Sesshomaru nodded, taking in the information. "And now you have more than your miko powers at stake if the youkai finds you." Kagome gulped and nodded at the same time. "If he had been reformed from a new body then his scent has most likely been changed. That is why you haven't been able to track him down."

"Then how are we going to find him?" InuYasha thought out loud. With Naraku, InuYasha knew his scent. He could easily track him down if he got near enough. Now with Suoh, there was no way he could find him on his own. There was only one way to find Suoh, and InuYasha wasn't too happy about it.

"You know that answer, InuYasha. Your miko is the key. She is linked to this youkai, if she realizes it to that extent or not." He looked directly into Kagome's face. "If she cannot find him, then our search is over. You will just have to wait until Suoh comes after her." He turned back to InuYasha.

That's what InuYasha had feared. Kagome would not only have to come with them, but now they would be relying on her to find Suoh. Her hand was trembling against his. She was really afraid of the youkai. Could InuYasha put her through that? If he didn't Suoh would just come after her. "I need to talk with Kagome." Sesshomaru nodded and motioned for Rin to follow him back inside the castle.

"I'll do it, InuYasha. I have to, I'm the only one that can find him." Tears formed behind her eyes.

InuYasha's ears flattened. There was no other way. She was scared to death, but she had to do it, she had to be the one to track down Suoh where InuYasha could get rid of him once and for all. "I'm going to be with you, Kagome. Everything's gonna be fine. This time I'll make sure Suoh dies, I promise." That's all I can do right now, Kagome, give you yet another promise. I won't let you down again. I can't.

She smiled. "Let's go get him."

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A/N: Ooo… the battle is coming! The battle is coming! Run for you lives!

Sry. That's what the lack of sleep and too much pizza will do for you. .'

Not the next chapter, but pretty soon the final battle is going to pop up.