Disclaimer: R-U-M-I-K-O! T-A-K-A-H-A-S-H-I! Now! What does that spell? RUMIKO TAKAHASHI!!!!!! And she owns the show Inuyasha…Not me…Arigatou.

Love Me as I Am

Chapter 54- Calm Consent

Kanaye groaned and rolled over. Trinity's smell was still bugging him. His senses weren't as acute as Inuyasha's but every time he rolled over her smell intoxicated him nonetheless and he had to turn the other way to calm his demon blood. He considered asking Inuyasha about it but decided against it. He could take care of his own problems for once, though he wasn't sure how much longer he could stand it. He growled to himself.

'Damn this cursed nose of mine.'

~*~*~

Kunara stared out the window, her elbows once again on the windowsill. She nearly jumped through the ceiling when she heard uneven breathing behind her. She had been lost in thought.

"Kunara…" came Rin's soft, voice.

Kunara cringed as Rin walked closer. She sat beside her on the window seat, leaning against the wall and pulling Kunara into her arms.

"It's about your father isn't it?"

Kunara sniffed and laid her head down on Rin's chest, hugging her tightly.

"H-He wants to hurt you…I know he does…"

Rin stroked Kunara's hair gently and looked out the window.

"You mustn't worry about me love. Lord Sesshomaru will protect me."

"He wants to kill him too…"

"I think you underestimate Lord Sesshomaru. He's never failed to look out for me and I don't expect any less of him now."

Kunara simply nodded but didn't say anything as Rin rubbed her back soothingly. Rin sighed.

"What if I told you…after Sesshomaru and I are married…that…we want to adopt you?"

Kunara's face lit up instantly and she squeezed Rin tightly.

"Really?"

Rin smiled and nodded.

"I've already talked to him."

There was no possible way for Kunara to express her happiness as she hugged the woman whom she would soon be able to call her mother. She would never forget her real mother. Kikyo. She could sense her presence in the room at that very moment.

~*~*~

Kikyo watched as Kunara hugged Rin. She knew it was best and that her only daughter would be safe under Rin's wing.

'Sesshomaru…with all my heart and soul…I'm trusting you to take care of her. Love my daughter as I would and not as her father does. Protect and care for her as if she were your own. You will be truly happy. For she brings joy to life and I see that's something your life has always needed more of. Free her from her father's grasp and kill him so that he may remain here with me. After all he's done, I still cannot hate him. But at least, floating here with me, he will not be free to hurt anymore and he will be able to have me, just as he has always wanted. Ever since he was Onigumo, the injured man in the cave, he has loved me. And I have been too blind to see it. I have finally come to terms with it and realized…that I love him too. It may seem strange I know…but at every turn in my life, he's been there. He didn't know how to come about his feelings…taking the wrong turn and hurting me on accident. I know he didn't mean it. He loves me.

And Rin, cradle Kunara as I cannot do now. Give her the love that I was never able to show her. Tell her that I love her and that I'll miss her when I'm gone. I truly do have a heart, and I know how to use it. You Rin, must have the biggest heart of anyone.

I'll be waiting here for Naraku. Please…send him to me soon. Send him to me soon…soon…'

~*~*~

Kagome sighed as Kuneau's crying began. First a soft whimper, then quiet sobs, then loud howling, then finally full out bawling.

"Inuyasha…would you take care of her?"

Inuyasha rolled over and off the futon, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

"Y-Yeah. We musta…slept in for a while…"

"Hai. It's awfully bright outside."

Inuyasha nodded as he picked up Kuneau and came back to sit down on the futon, warming her bottle between his knees. His mere presence seemed to calm her a bit, but Kagome wasn't surprised.

'His presence sure calms ME.'

When the bottle was warm enough Inuyasha popped it in her mouth. She seemed awfully content with it he could tell by the way her eyes gleamed. She was no longer a newborn but she was still small for her age. Her tiny hands grasped the bottle as she drank.

Kagome smiled.

"Another Kodak moment."

Inuyasha blinked.

"A what?"

"Never mind."

~*~*~

Weeks later things were finally falling back into place. Yasuo's wounds had healed for the most part and he was living a normal life again. Well, as normal as life with Inuyasha and gang could be.

Everyone was at his house for a meeting about what to do next about Naraku.

"Odds are he'll attack us on his own time. No telling when that'll be." Explained Miroku.

Kanaye nodded as Trinity squeezed his hand. She was sitting in his lap.

"Yeah. But wouldn't it be better if we went after HIM instead of waiting for something bad to happen?"

"Makes sense." Sango agreed as she grasped Miroku's wrist before his hand reached her backside.

She didn't slap him for once because there were children in the room and she figured they didn't need to be exposed to violence like that at such a young age.

Kuneau was sitting in Inuyasha's lap messing around with his hands, putting them together at first then pulling them apart. Inuyasha fought back laughter. Not only was it funny that she found his hands so amusing but her small hands tickled his palms. As much as Inuyasha hated to admit it, he had missed having young kids around. Back when Suki and Kanaye were young, he had found them a great source of stress relief. No matter how bad his day had been or how many demons he had killed, he could always count on seeing his young daughter's innocent face and warm smile, feeling his son's small arms gripping his legs, and his wife's loving embrace. Life never ceased to amaze him.

Kagome waved her hand in front of Inuyasha's face.

"Yoo hoo…Inuyaaaaaaaasha…"

Hearing her voice Inuyasha came back to earth. Everyone stared at him but soon lost interest and went back to talking.

'Phew.'

"Inuyasha? What were you thinking about?" wondered Kagome, whispering in his ear and causing it to twitch.

"Nothing."

Kagome kissed his neck gently..

"Whatever you say."

Everyone else was so absorbed in conversation they didn't even seem to notice a panting Shippo standing in the doorway.

"Shippo? What brings you here?" gasped Kagome.

"We need…your help…"

~*~*~ I know this chapter might have been a little bit weird…but you have to have a weird chappie every once in a while right? That's what I thought. Well anyway. My b-day was yesterday and I'm psyched because it was an awesome bday (nix the fact that I was sick…and still am somewhat). I managed to get all 5 of my friends to try out for the musical and they all made it! They thanked me so much and it made me feel awesome. ^_~ I was sung to in like…4 of my classes including French. Then even at drama tryouts cause she said it was awesome that I showed up on my birthday (cause I had to stay till 6). My mom is ordering me an Inuyasha hoody soon off the net too! If you guys are looking for a good anime merchandise site I suggest you check out Japanimation.com. It's just about the best site out there for plushies, mugs, pins, clothes, bags, calendars…just about ANYTHING anime. Check it out sometime. ^_^ Sayonara minna-san! ~*~*~ Miyu