> Chapter 8: The Truth, Finally

Kagome ran without much regard for where she was going. Unfortunately, having only flip-flop sandals for shoes makes running fast very difficult and rather… impossible. Halfway across the courtyard, Kagome fell, twisting her ankle and skinning her knee. Having had enough, she promptly burst into tears. InuYasha found her, sitting in the dirt and crying her eyes out. He approached her slowly from behind and slowly placed his hand on her shoulder. Kagome shrugged him off.

"Go away InuYasha. I've embarrassed myself enough today. Can't you just leave me alone?"

InuYasha sighed; slipping his arms under her legs and around her back. He lifted her and began to carry her back to the room. Kagome resisted him, pushing against his chest and squirming.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

Kagome gave up, crossing her arms across her chest and refusing to look at him.

"Because, I have to explain to you…"

"You don't have to explain anything, alright InuYasha? I heard what you said. Now let me leave so I can stop 'getting in your way'."

Upon reaching the room InuYasha closed the door behind them, setting Kagome on the bed, and then turned to rummage through her pack. He pulled out the first aid kit and sat down in front of Kagome.

"Will you just shut up a moment and let me talk?"

Kagome glared at him, but let him continue.

"I know what I said, Kagome, but it's not what I meant."

Finding the peroxide, InuYasha poured some on a cloth and applied it to Kagome's knee. Kagome sucked in a hissing breath and flinched away. Finished cleaning out the wound, InuYasha blew softly on her knee, trying to ease the sting. Kagome felt her heart speed up.

"When I said you'd get hurt… all I meant was that whenever anyone cares about me… or I care about them… they get hurt. I… I don't want you to get hurt Kagome."

InuYasha placed a band aid on Kagome's knee, and then began to wrap her ankle in an ace bandage. The gentle brush of his fingers across her skin sent a thrill up her leg.

"What about…"

"Damn it wench, can you not keep quiet for five minutes?"

Finished bandaging her, InuYasha closed the kit and set in on the floor next to the futon, moving to take a seat next to her.

"What I said about Kikyo… What I meant was that you guys are completely different. Kikyo was strong and wise, but she was also serious and closed off. Kagome…"

InuYasha looked into her eyes, trying to see if she was getting what he was saying.

"You may be a bit slower and not as experienced…"

He noticed the slight frown that marred her face at this. He raised his hand and gently cupped the side of her face, running his fingers over her skin, as if trying to smooth out the frown.

"… But you're also kinder, funnier, more open, and more… alive. And you've made me feel more alive than anyone ever has."

Kagome's face finally softened.

"I never thought I'd be so lucky to know someone like you. But to have you love me, to actually love me… Damn it, Kagome, I don't deserve you."

"InuYasha…"

InuYasha cut her off by pressing his lips gently to hers. It was warm, sweet and short. When he pulled away, InuYasha felt warmed to his toes by the smile Kagome was giving him.

"I love you Kagome."

Kagome jumped on InuYasha, knocking him back onto the futon. The kiss she gave him started off firm, but sweet. It soon turned into a passionate, yearning, overpowering kiss that engulfed his body in a heat all the way to his toes. InuYasha pulled away, breathless. The fire Kagome ignited in him also awakened his demon blood.

InuYasha dug his claws into the futon. He could feel every inch of Kagome lying above him. Her hard breathing was causing her chest to rub against him, and her hips were pressed against his. Growling, he flipped them over, pressing himself firmly against Kagome as he slid his hand up her thigh.

"InuYasha, are you ok? Did I… did I do something wrong?"

InuYasha regained control of his concentration when he saw the hurt look in Kagome's eyes. Cupping her face with his hand, he rested his forehead against hers.

"No, it's just that… lately my demon blood has wanted…."

He tilted her head to the side, pressing his lips to her throat. Kagome gasped lightly as his touch made her skin tingle.

"Wanted, what InuYasha?"

Squeezing her hip lightly, InuYasha nipped at her ear as he pressed himself firmly against her. His warm breath sent a shiver of pleasure through Kagome as he whispered in her ear.

"To do… certain things… to you Kagome."

Swallowing hard, she tried to get a grip on her emotions.

"InuYasha, I'm not… I mean… I don't think I'm ready for… that."

InuYasha rested his head against her shoulder and chuckled lightly.

"Gods Kagome, it's taken me this long to tell you that I love you. I don't think I'm ready for that yet either. But I do know that I always want to be with you."

InuYasha nuzzled her neck, breathing her scent from the hair behind her ear.

"I always want to be with you too, InuYasha. But what do we do about your demonic… um urges?"

"Well, I know something that would sate my demon side."

Kagome's heart raced at the melting look InuYasha gave her. The heat in his gaze set her own blood on fire.

"InuYasha…"

InuYasha couldn't help but laugh at her blush. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he sat up, pulling her into his lap. Kagome went with it, straddling his hips and encircling his neck with her arms. When his laughter subsided, he gazed into her eyes.

"I meant, will you be my mate Kagome? Bind with me forever; body and soul?"

Kagome considered it for a moment.

Bound forever? Me… and InuYasha?

"Yes."

Kagome kissed him, once again igniting a flame that the early October's cool air was powerless to quell.

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This is the end! Yay!

But there will be an epilogue. :D