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Kagome smiled, as her mom sat down to a large American style breakfast in front of her. She was even going to use a fork and spoon! Kagome squealed in excitement and started to dig into her hash browns, while Souta sat on the other side of the table, filling his mouth past full with scrambled eggs. An American breakfast was a HUGE deal in the Higurashi house.

"Mmmmm, thanks so much mom!" Kagome said after swallowing a large bite of the browned potatoes, then looked up at her mother, causing her neck to sting with pain. Ok, I guess there's no sudden movements of my head from now on. Kagome thought silently to herself, taking a bite of her ham. Sooo good!

Just as Kagome let another squeak of contentment out, Inuyasha appeared at the doorway, his hair also covering the mark. He had figured that if Kagome wanted to tell her mother, then she would tell her mother.

"Oh, Inuyasha, hello! I made a huge American breakfast, why don't you have some? Either way, we'll be swimming in leftovers for a month." Mrs. Higurashi smiled and sat another plate, napkin, fork and spoon down at the table. Inuyasha blinked at the foreign utensils oddly, poking at the spoon, with his claw. Kagome, Souta and their mother all laughed, though Kagome and Souta's laughs were mixed in with the food they had in their mouths.

Inuyasha looked up at Kagome's mother, "What is this thing?" He asked, almost disgusted, as Kagome laughed, as she placed the spoon correctly in his hand.

"It's the American chop stick. It's more convenient when you get the hang of it, but I more prefer normal chop sticks." Kagome said, smiling at him. Inuyasha rolled his eyes as Mrs. Higurashi filled his plate. He winced; this was going to be a long meal.

Sango returned to the hut, refreshed to find Miroku and Shippo playing a game of cards. She smiled and tightened Miroku's robes around her. He wasn't going to get them back, even if it meant embarrassment for herself, she wanted to give Inuyasha a chance to get back at the monk. Sango walked over and sat down half way between Miroku and Shippo, and viewed both of their hands. She smiled; Miroku's letting the little fox win, which is really cute.

"Do you want dealt in, Sango?" Miroku asked, looking rather desperate. Maybe he wasn't letting Shippo win… Sango chuckled and nodded, as Shippo pouted.

"You did that because you knew I was gonna win! That's not nice Miroku!" Shippo shouted, surveying his new cards. He quickly silenced, Sango smiled, Full house, the only way Miroku could bet this was if he cheated. She thought, looking down at her hand of two three's and three jacks. Sango sat contentedly as the fox and monk traded out their cards, sighing after each was done. Miroku smirked, trying to make this interesting.

"I say we make a little bet," Miroku piped up, as Sango's eyes scurried over to his face. "Winner gets to make the two losers do whatever the winner wants for a day."

Sango smiled, "A day? An entire day?" The monk's bluffing, Miroku's violet eyes shone towards Sango. He wasn't bluffing, in the least bit.

Miroku smiled over the hand of five cards, This is too good. Miroku nodded.

"Deal!" Sango shouted, slapping her full house on the floor of the hut. "First off, Monk, you're not going to touch me at all with that hand." Sango said, but Miroku simply laughed.

"Actually, Sango, dearest, I am," he said, laying a royal flush across the floorboards. Sango froze, and Shippo giggled, putting the pair of aces he had on the floor. Sango glared, storming off out of the hut, still wrapped up in the Monk's robes.

"DAMN HIM!" She screamed as she reached the forest line. The damn monk was going to pay, she wouldn't kiss him, even if he begged her. If he uses the bet, then you'll have to. "I don't have to do anything." Sango barked at herself, hearing a chuckle.

"Sango, talking to ourselves, are we?" Inuyasha asked, then studied the girl. 'The monk's robes? Oh, you've GOT to be kidding me.' Inuyasha sniffed the air and stared at Sango more, but decided to keep quiet. Hopefully, Kagome would catch on.

"Sango, why are you wearing Miroku's robes?" She asked innocently, causing Inuyasha to laugh and Sango to scowl.

"To give YOU a chance to get back at the monk. Tear him limb from limb, I really could care less." Sango said, angrily pointing at Inuyasha, Kagome's eyes widened as she wrapped her arms a bit more securely around Inuyasha's neck. "Just to make sure you don't give me any crap, I'd like to let you know that it's alright if you carry her in your arms, not on your back when it's just me. I've already seen the mark." Sango snorted, storming off into the forest. Both faces of the young couple flamed over in a deep red blush, as Kagome scrambled to cover her mark with her hair. This would be interesting.

As they continued on towards the village, Miroku soon after came rushing by them then stopped. "Kagome! Inuyasha, great to see you." Inuyasha slipped Kagome off his back and walked over to the monk, also examining him. Then, he punched him. Miroku fell backwards, "What was that!" Miroku shouted, as Kagome glared.

"Inuyasha, SIT BOY!" She screamed.

Crash, Inuyasha groaned as his face was buried in dirt. He won't be able to smell correctly for about an hour. Lovely, now that we're mates, Kagome is going to have to stop doing that. Inuyasha growled, fighting the spell, and standing up immediately after being sat, angry now. He maintained his stance, even though the necklace was still pulling him downwards. "Monk, you'll know what it was for later, and if you make a remark about what it's for, I'll do it again." Inuyasha growled and scooped Kagome up into his arms, glaring at the girl before taking off running in no general direction if anywhere that Kagome knew of. She blinked, looking up at the scowling hanyou. He got angry quickly.

"Inuyasha, what's the matter with you?" Kagome shouted, as Inuyasha's ears twitched. He continued scowling into the air ahead, ignoring the girl in his arms. She will know soon enough. As Inuyasha stopped, Kagome looked around. We're at the edge of Inuyasha's forest? No, this couldn't be right… The girl's eyes registered the glare that Inuyasha was bearing down upon her.

"Kagome, damn it, I can't have you doing that all the time. We're mates now, damn it." Inuyasha growled, still glaring right through the girl.

She blinked up at the hanyou. "Doing what, exactly? S-i-ting you? INUYASHA! I only s-i-t you when you deserve it, and I know what you don't want Miroku to say anything, but that was NO reason to punch him!" Kagome screamed, as Inuyasha forced his ears to stay upright. He was NOT going to fold under her anger.

"Kagome, I'm supposed to be the dominant one, and when Sesshomaru comes to "inspect" you or what the fuck ever he decides to do, then I can't have you controlling me. I know, I usually don't care what the bastard thinks, but this is important, damn it. If he doesn't fucking find you "suitable," he has the choice of KILLING YOU." Inuyasha shouted right back, as Kagome's eyes widened and she silenced. Fuck…I shouldn't have told her that. Inuyasha mentally slapped himself, as he looked down at Kagome. "Um Kagome?" He asked, trying to wrap his arms around her waist, but Kagome slapped his arms and pushed him away.

"So, is this how much I mean to you? You're WILLING to risk MY life, and you KNOW wouldn't be able to do ANYTHING about it! THANK YOU, INUYASHA! SIT!" The girl screamed, storming off into the forest.

Inuyasha crashed to the ground, he didn't blame her. He deserved to be sat five more times. Sure it hurt, but he had been an ass hole. Another "SIT!" came ringing from far away in the forest, as he was dragged deeper into the ground. Misery was the only feeling that Inuyasha felt. Misery, and pain.

Kagome tore through the forest, hurt and angry. No, she was far beyond angry. Pissed was an understatement. She couldn't BELIEVE the nerve of Inuyasha.

If he doesn't fucking find you "suitable", he has the choice of KILLING YOU.

The words ran fresh through her mind. She knew how much Sesshomaru hated her, she was done for. For the first time, she pulled her hand up to the location of the mark, and touched it, but quickly pulled away. The mark had burned her? Kagome tried to touch the mark once again, and got the same reaction. What does this mean? Why is mark burning me? Something's wrong. Kagome stopped for a few seconds, debating on what to do. Is Inuyasha in trouble? He had to be, that was the only explanation. She had no weapon though! Kagome ignored her feelings telling her to go back to the hut, and took off running back in the direction she had come from.

"Damn it! DAMN IT…all." Inuyasha sighed and climbed up into the nearest tree, allowing his bangs to hide his face. Why had he allowed himself to blab as so? Damn it and his lack of control of his own mouth. Sitting he could deal with. Hell, he could even deal with fighting with her as long as he knew she would come back to him eventually. Sesshomaru could KILL his girl, His woman, His Kagome. "DAMN IT!" Inuyasha screamed at the top of his lungs as his mark gave a dull throb. Kagome was feeling his distress, hopefully she knew what it meant, Inuyasha shook his head. Kagome didn't know the first thing about demon mating, accept for that it was forever, and she was part of it. "Damn," Inuyasha was flat out frustrated. He needed Kagome here, now. He just wanted to be soothed by her scent? Inuyasha sniffed the air, Kagome's scent was sprinting towards him. He blinked and dropped out of his tree, leaning against the tall tree for comfort, Inuyasha closed his eyes, taking in the ever-growing strength of Kagome's scent. Maybe this mating stuff wouldn't be so bad if it sent her running back to him every time he got frustrated.

"Inuyasha?" She asked, slowly approaching the boy. "Inuyasha, something's wrong with the mark," Kagome said quietly, looking at Inuyasha as his eyes shot open and he raced over to his mate with one leap. In one fluid motion, he had moved her hair back and was now examining the two vampire-like punctures on her neck.

"Kagome, there's nothing wrong with it." Inuyasha said quietly, taking the time to examine his mate from head to toe. There was no blood, no bruising (accept for the mark) nothing.

"No, it's burning." Kagome said quietly, tapping her scorching hot mark with her finger then quickly jumping and retrieving her hand.

Inuyasha shook his head, "That's because I'm frustrated, wench. We're linked; you'll be able to be more in tune with me if you want to call it that. I don't know, it differs with every pair, but something always happens to inform the other mate of major emotional changes. Like right now, you're pissed and worried. Don't ask me how I know, I just do. It's my instinct to understand what the mark is telling me, but you don't have the instinct. You're not even supposed to be trying to read the mark. That's probably why it's heating up. You'll learn to read it soon enough, Kagome." Inuyasha explained, calmly, as Kagome slowly settled down. He also started to relax.

"I just thought something had gone wrong, the mark just started to burn. It burned my shoulder; it burned when I tried to touch it. I was scared something was happening to you. I was afraid I was going to lose you, Inuyasha." Kagome finally confessed quietly as Inuyasha drew her into his arms, softly smiling down upon the top of the girl's head. Kagome wrapped her arms up around Inuyasha's neck, snuggling herself close to Inuyasha's chest. This was comforting, and she felt the mark cool. "So hot means frustrated? I'll have to remember that, but there are only two major temperatures, hot and cold, this is so confusing.

The sound of someone's throat clearing was heard as a tall figure stepped out of the shadows.

"I'd hate to interrupt this darling, perfect painting moment, but I believe there is business to attend to." Sesshoumaru's cold voice rang in the couple's ears. Kagome's eyes closed tight, Inuyasha simply looked up and over at his brother. "Good, I see you've chosen the live priestess." Sesshomaru said coldly while staring at Kagome, who was still snuggled in Inuyasha's arms. Kagome felt the mark go freezing cold, then it burned, finally settling to a slightly cool state upon her shoulder, almost comforting her. Inuyasha, however, growled.

"Why wouldn't I?" He growled, as Sesshoumaru, smiled. Even though it was just a tiny grin, Inuyasha and Kagome both stared. Sesshoumaru…smile? Well, this was new. Sesshomaru shook his head at his brother, and looked over at Kagome.

"Brother, I believe it's time for you to come back to my castle. Even if it is just for a little while, we have issues to discuss." Sesshoumaru said coldly, as Kagome remembered something.

"OH!" The girl reached into the small pocket of her skirt and pulled out a note, folded around a wax crest. "We were to, deliver this to you." Kagome said, and walked slowly towards Sesshoumaru, holding out the letter that he had addressed to himself. Sesshoumaru took the letter and tucked it safely into his kimono, still staring at the couple.

"When can I expect you?" Sesshoumaru asked plainly, studying Inuyasha's face.

"Tomorrow by sundown." He growled, staring his brother down.

Sesshoumaru laughed quietly then looked at his pitiful brother and his mate the priestess. It was against everything. Priestesses were to be pure, if mated at all, then to humans. Demons were the enemy...but there was something different about his brother's priestess. He knew that she was the reincarnation of his brother's first intention, sure, but he liked this one better. She was livelier than Kikyo had been, even in her natural life.

"Then I shall be seeing you, little brother. Priestess." Sesshoumaru nodded to them both then was off. Both Kagome and Inuyasha could just blink, as Inuyasha slipped his arm fluidly around Kagome's waist. When did he let go of me? Kagome mentally asked and blinked, looking up at him.

"...I guess we're going to Sesshoumaru's tomorrow." Inuyasha grumbled, and Kagome looked up at him, her eyes sparkling.

"Did he really say castle?" She asked, smiling, wrapping her arms around Inuyasha's middle. Inuyasha smirked and nodded as Kagome let out a short squeal. "Does that mean there's...a bed?" Inuyasha nodded. "Bath?" Inuyasha nodded. "Electricity?" Inuyasha blinked, and Kagome laughed. I tried...wait. If Inuyasha and I are 'mates', we'll probably have to sleep in the same bed...eep! Kagome smiled, snuggling against Inuyasha's chest. "Let's head out tonight," Kagome whispered, and Inuyasha laughed.

"Let's get a good night's rest in safety, then head out in the morning. I told Sesshoumaru tomorrow by sun down, and I plan to keep that accurate." Inuyasha said quietly, picking Kagome up bridal style and jumping up into a tree, shifting the girl in his arms, contentedly.

"Inuyasha," Kagome whispered softly into his chest, sitting up, and pushing herself against him, her back against the tree. His arm immediately caught her waist, keeping her securely on the branch, as the girl's hands reached up to Inuyasha's ears. Before she knew it...Inuyasha was laughing?

The half dog demon squirmed, trying to keep Kagome and himself on the branch, but seemed to be having trouble. Kagome pulled her hands away, looking at the now twitching ears. Kagome smiled at her hands, then looked back at the twitching ears. Inuyasha's ears were ticklish! Inuyasha, however, scowled.

"Don't do that, wench." Inuyasha growled, staring off in front of them, angry. Kagome nodded and laid her head against his chest.

"Sorry..." She mumbled, trying to hide her smirk, as Inuyasha's arms pulled around her. "We should head back to the village," Kagome said to him, not wanting to fall asleep so early.

"Fine, wench." Inuyasha said, looking down at her, still grouchy about having his "secret" revealed.

Around fifteen minutes later, Kagome climbed out of Inuyasha's arms and walked close to Inuyasha's side as they entered the small hut, Sango sitting next to the door frame, pouting. Miroku, however, was smiling.

"Monk, I'm not doing that. I have modesty and intend to keep it." Sango bit out, glaring daggers through Miroku, who was smirking.

"Lovely Sango, the bet was..." Miroku smiled as Sango stiffened up.

"I REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT THE BET WAS!" She screamed, standing up and turning around trying to storm out the door, but instead ran into Inuyasha, who simply blinked as he moved quickly to catch Sango's arm, keeping her from falling. Sango stood up and chuckled, looking at Kagome.

"Would you like to go to the springs for a bath? ALONE?" Sango had practically screamed alone, as Miroku laughed. Inuyasha growled.

"Yes, yes I will." Kagome said, sitting her yellow backpack down on the ground and taking two towels out, soap, shampoo, and a new uniform. Kagome smiled and whispered into Inuyasha's ear "Watch him," as she passed him, and grabbed his hand swiftly, then letting it go, wondering if anyone had noticed. She looked over her shoulder and saw Miroku gawking at Sango, who was smirking at her and Inuyasha's now apart hands. Damn...

As the two reached the hot springs and sunk into the water, Sango simply smiled at Kagome, who had made a big job of making sure her mark was covered, before remembering that Sango had already seen it.

"Who gets story time first, you, or me?" Sango asked, smirking mischievously. She was excited.

Kagome blinked. "Err...you can go first." She said, blushing from head to toe.

"Well...MIROKU KISSED ME!" Sango shouted, as Kagome squealed, and the two girls chatted like they had been apart for months.

Ok, not as long as I wanted, but still pretty long. I'm happy with this chapter, it makes me smile. And I've read so many fictions where Inuyasha just loooooooves having his ears rubbed, and it feels soooooooo good, and yadda yadda...so I decided to be a little different. And have it tickle. Yup! The big, bad dog demon is ticklish. -smirks- and we even get to go see big bubba? Ooh, this'll be fun. I'll see ya'll next chapter!

OBMcKenzie: Wow, I'm inspiring? And wow, thanks. –feels flattered again- I'm gonna try and treat you guys to a long chapter, but I dunno. I wanted to do that with the last one, too, but couldn't.

Bookwormjavajunkie: Aaaah, I love you! And I've read so many fictions where Sango and Miroku are all lovey, lovey, and it just bugs the living heck out of me. Too OOC. And I havn't even thought about bringing wolfie-poo into the story…-smiles- good idea! And we'll have to work on the thinking thing. And oooOOooooOOOh! –snuggles plushie, hangs poster next to her cousin's band poster- …aww, I'm very sorry. I'm glad that I could cheer you up a little. .

Koriat: COOKIES! –Munches-

Inuyashatotallyobsessed (): Quote obsessed is not bad. And as for the spider: I wanted to make it all dramatic and what not, but I couldn't. So I made it a spider. Yeths. ½ way there, and now, we get to hear from our lovely little flea friend Myoga and Sesshoumaru. –tackles Sesshoumaru and steals his momoko-sama(that's its name, right?), snuggles it- …and I doubt step two is going to come for a long time. Thankey! .

Moonlight-dancer-08: Thank you for your many reviews! I'm trying to work on the length, but it's not as easy as it sounds. O.O

Kei-Ookami.kara.mori: Yes, there will be another one. However, it might not be for quite a while.