Last time:

Inuyasha pulled her chin up to face him. Kagome, I want you so badly. But, I know that I'm not good enough to deserve someone like you. He thought.

Inuyasha leaned in towards her. But do you think, that you could..? He mentally hoped as he neared her. He gently placed his lips on hers and felt an explosion of emotions run through him.

Kagome was full of shock. She pulled away as a single teardrop fell from her eye. Inuyasha wiped it away with his clawed thumb. He slowly leaned away; " Kagome I'm sorry for making you cry. " his voice was sad as he began to stand.

Kagome quickly pulled him back down as more tears began to fall. " Baka Inuyasha, What took you so long? " she questioned as he eyes began to sparkle. She pulled him towards her and returned the kiss with one of her own.

There the two sat, concealed behind the patch of roses, as they shared their first kiss.

This Time:

Authors Note: IM SOOOO SORRY FOR NOT POSTING SOONER! I had a bunch of tests, and I helped out at this little kids camp every day this week so I was seriously exhausted. Enough with apologies, heres the story!

The group headed back towards Kaede's the following morning.

" I can't believe that we didn't find a jewel shard. " Kagome moaned.

" That's true, but at least we had a nice time. " Miroku inched towards Sango.

Kagome noticed and raised her eyebrow. Heh, now it's my turn to make them feel uncomfortable.

" How did you like the party last night Sango? Did anything happen? "

Sango turned back to face her, a small blush falling across her features. " No, nothing much, it was a very lovely party. "

Kagome sniggered. " Did you dance at all? "

" A bit, not really though. " Sango replied.

" A bit? How could you just dance a bit? More importantly, whom did you dance with? "

" Kagome, you disappeared last night with Inuyasha? Care to tell us where you went? " Sango retorted.

Before Kagome had a chance to answer, Inuyasha cut in. " Keh, none of your dam business. "

Kagome was relieved yet disappointed at the same time. He has barley talked to me since we left the castle. I wonder, does he regret kissing me? She thought as she turned her head to glance at him. He walked proudly behind her and seemed to be gazing up at the sky.

Kagome sighed and continued her walk towards the village.

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" Kaede! Were back! " Kagome cheered as she raced into the hut. Her eyes quickly looked around the room for a small Kitsune.

" Kagome, I see that you have returned. " Kaede said aloud as she sorted medicines.

" Kaede, how is Shippo? Where is he? When we left he still wasn't awake! " Kagome asked.

Kaede laughed and simply stated, " he is fine, right now he is playing with the village children. "

Kagome let out a relieved sigh and headed for the door. She opened it, and ran strait into Inuyasha. Kagome fell back as she collided with him, but he quickly grabbed her hand on reflex and pulled her up.

Kagome looked up into his eyes. He smiled and Kagome found herself lost in his gaze.

" Are we? Interrupting anything? " Miroku smirked as he and Sango entered the hut.

The two turned the opposite direction from one another. " Keh Kagome was just being her normal clumsy self when she walked into me. " Inuyasha cocked as he refused to be made fun of.

He could feel Caroms aura sharpen with anger and prepared himself. " Inuyasha, Sit! " she bellowed as she stormed out of the hut.

" Stupid wench. " Inuyasha grumbled as his face met the hard wood floor.

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Stupid Inuyasha! Kagome thought as she headed towards the villagers.

They greeted her with smiles and waves as she asked them where all the children were.

" Mistress Kagome, they are down playing at the river. " One villager answered.

Kagome smiled and asked, " Why are you calling me Mistress all of a sudden? I am the same old Kagome as always. " She laughed.

" But we heard rumors that you are now Lord Inuyasha's mate. And as we all know, Lord Inuyasha's father was the ruler of his lands. " The lady continued.

Kagome fell down out of disbelief. A large sweat mark appeared on her head as she stood up. " Mate? Inuyasha? Me? " She stuttered.

The villager nodded.

" Where did you hear this from? " Kagome asked, fully interested in where this rumor was coming from.

The villager covered her mouth as though she thought she had said something to upset Kagome. " I'm sorry Mistress, We just heard it from a traveling nobleman that attended a ball in a village about a days walk from here. He said that all of the guests kept talking about Lord Inuyasha and a hanyou that fit your description. "

Kagome gasped at what she was hearing. So, That's what everyone was talking about at the ball. " Thank you for telling me. I have to get going and find Shippo. I will see you later. " Kagome called as she walked towards the river.

I can't believe it! How could they think that Inuyasha and I are mates? The guy hasn't even talked to me since he kissed me. That bastard. Kagome mentally complained as she reached the river.

She looked down towards the riverbed and saw Shippo playing with five of the village children.

He looks so happy. I'm glad he's better. Kagome mused as she watched them play a game of tag.

A large dark aura swept over Kagome, and she on instinct started to growl. Shippo seeing Kagome for the first time in a week started jumping up and down cheering. As he began to make his way towards her she growled to him, " Shippo, don't move. "

The Kitsune did what he was told, and the frightened children copied his movements.

I sense something. It's dark, but where is it coming from? She listened for even the slightest hint of life. Why can't I find it, I know that it's here. She thought.

Shippo started to slowly move towards her. " Kagome? What's wrong? "

" Shippo, I said don't move! " she yelled as she concentrated.

All of a sudden, a large splash came from the river. Out came a huge water demon in the form of a dragon.

The children screamed and coward as they took in its appearance. Kagome looked strait in the demons eyes, fully set on saving the children, and finding out what the large dragon wanted.

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" Inuyasha, you shouldn't be so cold hearted towards Kagome. " Miroku said as he took a sip from his tea.

" Keh. " He answered.

" Suit yourself Inuyasha, I'm sure some other beautiful and powerful Hanyou that is the heir of her own land will fall in love with you. " Sango mused.

Inuyasha cringed as he pretended not to listen.

" I'm sure Kagome will be fine, she won't have any problem finding a mate. I'm surprised she isn't taken all ready. " Miroku added.

" Your right Miroku, with all those guys after her, it's a wonder why she still hangs out with Inuyasha. " Sango chimed in.

That was all that Inuyasha could take. " I'm going for a walk. " he stated before leaving the hut. " And before you get any funny idea's, I'm not looking for that wench! "

" Ok, You do that! " They yelled to him as they sniggered at there teasing.

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" What do you want?" Kagome said fearlessly.

" Are you not the miko hanyou that possesses parts of the Shikon No Tama? " The dragon asked.

Kagome smirked as she stood her ground. " I guess you could say that, why? "

" That should be obvious, I am here for your shards! " he laughed as he prepared himself.

Kagome's eyes fell on the children and signaled for Shippo to take them and run. He got the message and quietly motioned them to follow.

The demon picked up what they were doing and lunged towards the kitsune. No sooner then he moved, Kagome stood in front of them. Hands in front, she held off the demon. Shippo looked up at her on the verge of tears.

" Shippo, go and take the children. " She growled as she attacked the demon again.

" But! " he yelled.

" Just do it! " She screamed back at him.

Shippo nodded and headed off towards the village with the frightened children in tow.

" Stupid woman. Risking your life, so some mere mortals can live? " He smirked as his tail came unexpectantly flying towards Kagome. She was hit with it and sent flying into a large tree.

Kagome cringed as pain flooded her head. " I will not be beaten by the likes of you. " she yelled as she stood up. Looking closer at the demon she noticed a familiar glow.

" I see, the source of your power is the fact that you have a shard of the Shikon No Tama. " She mused as she started to fight again. Her claws sliced up and down the demons scales, but it seemed that his skin was impossible to break.

" So what if I do use them? There is no way you can break through my rock hard scales. " He laughed as he attacked her.

Kagome was starting to show blood, she wiped her face with her hand, and smiled.

" What are you smiling about? " The dragon asked.

" It's pitiful, that you have to use the Shikon shards in order to have power. " She laughed as she clasped her pearl in her hand.

A warm light. Where is it coming from? Is it… in the pearl? She thought as she concentrated her energy on the pearl.

" What's happening? " the demon looked at her in shock. Her wounds started to heal, and her aura gained in power. Still looking at her, the demon watched in awe as the pearl on her neck glowed a dark blue color. A staff emitted from it and the hanyou grasped it as she opened her eyes.

How did my father's staff get here? Kagome wondered as she looked at it in surprise. Her gaze sharpened as she remembered her opponent.

Digging her staff into the ground she was about to send her final attack at the dragon when he countered with one of his own. There was no where to run, no way to defend herself as the blast was mere seconds away from her face.

" Kagome! " Inuyasha screamed as he jumped in front of her, bearing his sword he deflected the attach with his kazu no kize.

The demon burst into flames and the shikon shard fell to the ground. Kagome opened her eyes and saw Inuyasha looking down at her, eyes full of concern. " Kagome, are you ok? "

She smiled and softly said thank you before running to pick up the shard.

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" Kagome! Your clothes! There shred to bits! " Sango gasped as she took in Kagome's appearance.

Kagome looked down at herself, and indeed her clothes were reduced to shredded bits, exposing a lot of skin. Miroku gawked as he could see her bra strap had broken.

Inuyasha stepped in front of her protectively and Sango whacked Miroku in the head.

" What happened? " she asked. " Shippo came running in here a few minutes before you got here and was scared out of his wits.

" There was just a demon with a Jewel shard. Don't worry about it, we defeated it and got the shard. " Kagome explained as she turned away from Miroku to change into a white T-shirt and some shorts.

" Kagome! " A small voice squeaked as it emerged from behind Sango. Shippo collided with Kagome's leg.

" Shippo! Your Alright! " Kagome cheered happily as she pulled him into a big hug.

Shippo looked up at Kagome with questioning eyes, then plugged his nose with his fingers.

" Kagome, why do you smell like Inuyasha? " The small Kitsune questioned aloud.

The whole room went silent as they heard Shippo's question. Sango and Miroku looked mildly surprised and Inuyasha looked like he was going to beat poor Shippo into the next dimension.

Kagome laughed off his question by saying; " I had to ride on Inuyasha's back on the way here, so I guess that's why. " She felt guilty lying to him, but she would be way to embarrassed to admit that she had kissed Inuyasha.

Shippo shook his head, " Nope that can't be right, you always used to ride on Inuyasha's back, and you never smelled this much like him before. "

He just won't give up, will he? Kagome grimaced as she looked up at him.

" I'm sure your just imagining things Shippo. You must be hungry right? I will go out and catch some fish for supper ok? " She said as she neared towards the door.

" Wait, Kagome. Why would you be going hunting? " Miroku asked. " Inuyasha usually catches you food. "

Kagome mentally kicked herself as she just remembered that fact. " Well, Inuyasha promised me he would show me how too, incase I am ever separated from you guys. " She lied.

Inuyasha raised his eyebrows but followed her out of the hut.

" What was that all about wench? " he questioned as they headed towards the forest.

Kagome blushed as she turned around to face him. " What was what all about Inuyasha? "

" It's just that you have been lying a lot more lately. First with that traveling Miko and sensing an evil aura at that old ladies house, now to Shippo and Miroku. " He counted the numerous times on his fingers.

" Who said I was lying? " She asked.

Inuyasha smirked as they came to a small lake at the far end of the forest. " Keh, I will catch us some food then we will return to the hut. "

Inuyasha walked into the lake so he was waist deep and then he started to look around for his prey.

Kagome perched herself on a large rock that was leaning over the water.

" Inuyasha, what should I say to Shippo to explain to him about why I smell like you? " She questioned.

" Keh, do what you want. " He replied as he dove and missed a fish.

Kagome stifled a sigh as she watched him attempt to catch the slippery animal.

" You know Inuyasha, if I didn't know better I would say that you suck at catching fish. " she smirked as she watched him fail for the fourth time.

" We'll see if I save your ass ever again, " he mumbled as he watched her laugh.

" Oh really? I don't think you could ever not save me. " An evil grin spread across her features.

" Keh, go ahead and try. "

" Fine, I will. " she said as she stood up on top of the giant rock. She neared the very edge of the rock and stood on her tippy toes. " Oh, help Inuyasha, I think I am going to fall in! " she cried as she wobbled back and forth.

" Keh, nice try Kagome, but I know your faking it. Why don't you just come down? "

Kagome sulked in defeat as she started to move to the middle of the rock again. As she started to move she tripped on a loose rock, sending her flying head first into the deep water. " Ah! Inuyasha. " Was all that he heard before she went underwater.

Keh, there's no way she is going to beat me like that. He thought as he watched for her to resurface. A few seconds past before Inuyasha started to worry.

" Kagome, it's not funny any more. Come out. " He called. Still no Kagome came.

Inuyasha then franticly swam towards the spot where she fell in. He dove in to the water to look for her. Where is she? He thought as he resurfaced.

" Kagome? Kagome! " Inuyasha yelled as he looked franticly around.

Just then a hand came up behind him and rested on his shoulder.

" I knew you couldn't resist helping Me. " she laughed as she swam around him.

Inuyasha felt relieved that she was safe, yet annoyed that she was right. " Keh, don't pull such dirty tricks wench! " he yelled as he swam after her. They reached the shore soon enough and Kagome was able to stand.

" So Inuyasha, how does it feel to be proved wrong? "

Inuyasha stood transfixed, staring at Kagome. Her white shirt had gone see through, and it exposed more then he could even imagine.

" What are you looking at? " she asked as she watched where his eyes wondered. With a small " eep" Kagome threw her hands up to cover her chest.

Inuyasha turned away with a blush and then smelled the air with distaste. " What are you doing here Sesshomaru? " he yelled as his brother entered from the woods.

Sesshomaru nodded towards his brother before turning to Kagome. She stood there; hair-dripping wet, and her shirt was very reveling.

Sesshomaru felt shocked for a moment before asking, " Where, did you get that? " he pointed towards the black pearl that dangled beside the half completed Shikon to Tama.


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kurumi tanazaki – you better send me the link:D