Disclaimer: I am not Rumiko Takashi…Though I'm sure that if I was I wouldn't be sitting here writing FANfiction…that is how you know that I am not her…unless of course she is a fan of herself…which if that's the case then that's just weird. Therefore, if I am a FAN then I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters or plot. Only the plot of this story. Thank you. *bows*

Love Me as I Am

Chapter 20- Together in the Springs

Trinity set up a bed for Kanaye and set up another for herself right beside it. She knew she wasn't going to use it.

With a steady walk she led Kanaye over to his futon with a soft hand wrapping gingerly around his wrist.

He found the bed with no problem. He seemed to be getting used to using only sound and smell. It was a good thing his other senses were so well developed.

Climbing into the bed he listened as Trinity climbed into her own. She figured since she hadn't been invited to sleep beside him it was more polite.

He smirked and rolled over, facing the direction her futon was in. He was met face to face with her and he could feel her warm breath on his nose.

"My arms are always open." He whispered as she smiled and scooted over and into him leaving her own bed vacant. His arms wrapped around her shoulders and he held her almost the same way Inuyasha held Kagome.

The rain had stopped finally by the time everyone was asleep and even Suki lay asleep, her newborn son bundled in her arms.

~*~*~

Inuyasha awoke the next morning with a searing headache. He groaned, sitting up and looked to Kagome who had her arms wrapped around his waist still, his new daughter snuggled in between them.

He bent down and kissed Kagome's forehead gently, pushing her bangs out of the way. Then he removed her arms from his waist and stood up wincing. Maybe a soak in the hot spring would help ease the pain in his head a bit. Kagome would know where to find him.

He tiredly sauntered outside and into the morning sun, his bare feet padding on the dirt ground as his hair flowed behind him. He reached the springs and started taking off his haori, laying it on the ground about ten feet away from the placid water.

He then removed his cream colored undershirt, exposing his bare back and pale skin. He had some scars from fights he had had in the past that would remain carved in his skin forever.

After he took off the last of his clothes he climbed in and the water covered him. He sighed, dunking his head underwater then coming up again, pushing his hair out of his face and rubbing the water out of his eyes.

He blinked his eyes open and laid back against the side, staring up through the thick foliage and branches of the trees that shaded him from the sun.

He could barely remember the last time he had come here alone just to relax. Usually it was because Kagome made him take a bath that he ended up in the springs.

Minutes flew by as he thought about his life. If he had never met Kagome then none of it would have ever happened. Worse, what if Kagome had turned him down when he had explained to her his love for her? What if she told him she didn't feel the same? Where would he be now?

He shook the thoughts from his head.

'She didn't…so what am I worrying about?'

His thoughts were interrupted as someone else climbed in beside him.

"Kagome…"

She smiled.

"I left the baby with Kaede. She volunteered to watch her."

Inuyasha nodded as Kagome leaned her head on his shoulder. She had only her underclothes on.

He pulled her into an embrace, her body against his and his against hers. She slid onto his lap as her legs floated lightly in the water.

He lifted his right arm from underneath her and put it around her bare waist.

Kagome loved the way his hands felt on her skin. His attitude was always rough and he acted all 'high and mighty' but when they were alone together his attitude changed completely and his feelings for her took over his soul. He became gentle.

Inuyasha moved his hand up to her side and dunked just her hair into the water. He pulled her back up slowly as her wet, silky, charcoal-colored hair covered her bare shoulders and part of her chest, cascading down to her lower back.

He stared into her eyes as she stared back.

"I love you Inuyasha." she said finally.

Inuyasha's amber eyes shimmered like the water as he studied her face and got to her eyes.

"Ai shiteru Kagome."

Kagome was taken aback.

She couldn't think of one time when he had talked to her so passionately like that. She wondered how long it had taken him to get the guts to say those two simple words: Ai shiteru.

Inuyasha thought of the words he had just said. Did he mean it? Yes. With all his heart. He had said the first thing that came to mind when he looked at her.

~*~*~

Suki woke up, finding her baby pawing away at her kimono top again. She smiled and nursed him. While kneading her he had reached up and found the jewel that still hung around her neck. She pried it gently from his grip as an idea struck her.

She waited patiently as he finished with his feeding. She rubbed his back gently to help with his digestion. After he was finished she stood up then realized Inuyasha and Kagome were gone and that Kaede was caring for her sister.

Kanaye and Trinity were still asleep as well as Miroku and Sango who were huddled in the corner covered in blankets. They seemed to like that position rather than stretching out on the floor.

'I guess I'll have to wait till they get back.' Suki thought.

"I hope she didn't forget the visit to Tokyo we were supposed to have. You still need a name. Yes you do." she cooed, tickling her baby. He giggled for the first time and she smiled, wishing she had her brush and ink with her so she could record it somewhere.

She laid back down and set him on her chest. She watched as he tried to lift his head. It would drop every try but he did seem to be getting stronger.

"It's only a matter of time love. You'll get it eventually."