A/N: Hmm…what to say about this chapter? Um…I'm really not sure what to say. Why am I writing this, anyway? Jeez…further proof that I am an idiot…

Chapter 15: Giving in to Temptation

Kagome sighed as she walked next to Inuyasha on their travels. They were finally almost to the back to the village after traveling for a bit. That was how their travels went nowadays, since Naraku hadn't been seen in a while. Also, Kagome knew she had to go home to catch up on school, and also so she wouldn't worry her mother.

I don't like it when Mama worries when I've been gone too long…and I don't want her to find out what danger we're in here…then she wouldn't let me go.

Kagome squinted over the green landscape, until her eyes found what they were looking for. "There it is!" she said, pointing towards the familiar village…that place that seemed like home to her. Everyone turned towards the direction she pointed in and smiled, each glad that they had made it to once again see their safe haven.

But one wasn't so glad. "Keh, took long enough." Inuyasha muttered, as they walked towards the village. This had Kagome wondering. He had been in such a bad mood ever since that salamander youkai had attacked, such a contrast to how he had been on the night of the new moon…it made her curious.

What's wrong with him? She wondered. Is it something I did? Or said? Her brown eyes slid back to look at the proud hanyou, the one she loved, who though he could tell her so many things she never knew about him, could also hold things up inside for the longest time, without letting her help him.

Kagome sighed as they came nearer to the village, and Inuyasha strode at the head of the party, taking little notice in her. I thought that now, with us…he'd tell me more things, and I could help him, but he won't. She closed her eyes in reflection. That's what I wanted to do, before…help him, but now… She opened her eyes and sighed, I just want to love him.

She used to think that if Inuyasha ever came to feel for her like this, everything would be okay. They wouldn't have to worry about anything anymore…not Naraku, not anything else. She had known, in her heart that his love would set it all right.

But, him loving her hadn't suddenly, magically, changed the world into a place free of problems. They still had to deal with Naraku, she still struggled in school, and she always, always had the small fear that he might one day leave her. She had always imagined that one day, he would sweep her up in his arms, declare his love for her and kiss her like she had never been kissed before.

Sadly, only two of the three had happened. Much to Kagome's dismay, Inuyasha still hadn't said those three words to her yet…words every girl dreams of hearing from the man she loves. It wasn't that Inuyasha didn't have the sense to do it, she had given him plenty of hints, but it was more that he wouldn't. She knew he wasn't very good with intimacy, being a hanyou and all. He had to suffer bulling and discrimination all his life, and then the betrayal with Kikyou…he couldn't be very open with anyone.

She was willing to forgive him for not saying it right away…but he hoped that if he would say it, it would be soon. Kagome couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed when she would tell him how much she loved him, and he would return with a nod, or just start kissing her, never saying the same in return.

And secretly, very secretly, when he finally did say it, Kagome wished that he would ask her to be his mate. She blushed as she remembered this, mentally chastising herself for thinking those thoughts, but she couldn't help it. He had (very blushingly) explained a bit of what this meant to her before, and she learned that being his mate was almost like an unending binding promise…never to leave him. She would always be at his side, and they would never be separated, bound by their love for each other. Their souls would become one, and neither one would die without the other.

But, there was another part of mating…another part that was beautiful and embarrassing at the same time…Kagome knew she had loved Inuyasha and wanted his love for a long time, but she never knew that she could want him…in that way. She knew she couldn't help those thoughts, being a young girl and all, and would usually dismiss them at once, worried about even thinking about them, as if someone was reading her mind…But other times, she couldn't help but know in her mind, that she loved him so much, that she would willingly give herself to him.

I can't think like that! She mentally yelled at herself as they entered Kaede's hut. That's wrong! And…Inuyasha… Her eyes flew to his amber ones, where they locked, neither one pulling away from the gaze.

Her heart started melting as his eyes looked upon her with such gentle softness, with pure love. Her thoughts began to wander. Inuyasha…if only I could be your life mate…you said once that hanyou's don't get trust, mates, or love…I've given you both…if only I could fulfill the third…

Instantly, several images she had never seen before flashed through her mind. A burning village, people screaming and running away from something, several shouts of "Youkai!"…and a miko with dark eyes, being held against a tree by a clawed hand, screaming, "Curse you!"

Kagome gasped and blinked as the images faded. What? What was that? I've never…seen those things before…how awful! How could anyone do such a thing!

Inuyasha noticed her distress. "Kagome?" he said, coming over to her. "Are you all right?" He grabbed her by the shoulders, making her look up at him, still in shock over what had just drifted into her brain. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft and concerned.

"Inuyasha…" For a second, Kagome considered telling him about what she had seen. Asking him about the nightmare she had before, wondering if they could both figure this out. Not noticing the others around them, watching them while they looked into each others eyes, they both knew the other was in great distress. No, Kagome thought. Not now… "It was nothing, Inuyasha."

"Are you sure?" he asked, accenting that word heavily. "You've been saying that a lot."

Kagome shook her head. "Really, Inuyasha, it was nothing. I'm fine."

But, she could see that he fought with himself, as if he knew something was wrong, and was going to demand her to tell him, but he looked away. "As long as you're okay." He released her, only to find Miroku behind him, with a wide grin on his face, no doubt with another comment that would annoy the already over-stressed hanyou.

But Kagome didn't even hear as Sango tried to talk to her, she just stared at the silver haired hanyou, as he smacked Miroku upside the head for something he said, and thought about what she had seen in his eyes…seeing the stress and suffering. He's hiding something as well…

Tears of rage poured from the trapped Miko's eyes, a red flash of anger coming from them. "Curse you, hanyou!" she screamed, and it seemed that thunder had roared those words.

Those words echoed in Inuyasha's brain, bouncing around in an eerie echo, hammering into his brain as if beat on an anvil. He let go of his fierce grip on her, grabbing at his throbbing head, feeling the full force of the pain. Darkness and flashes of deep red light swirled around him, enveloping him as the words "Curse you!" screamed in his mind.

The darkness clawed at him, causing Inuyasha to yelp with pain while suddenly, before his eyes, two giant red eyes opened in a glare at him, and a deep growl sounded, canceling out the sound of the miko's cry.

And it was he, Inuyasha— the fearless hanyou, who had been striking terror into the hearts of the humans of the village—who was afraid.

Inuyasha jerked awake inside Kaede's hut, his heart pounding in fear. It took him a second to recall where he was, and that he had accidentally fallen asleep. He placed a hand over his eyes, deep in thought. He sighed, Why do I keep having this dream? What's going on?

His eyes raised up, above his hand, and he glanced around Kaede's hut. Everyone else was asleep; the old miko resting on her mat, Sango sleeping by Kirara, Miroku leaning against the wall of the hut, in case there was trouble, and Shippou curled up in Kagome's sleeping bag…which didn't hold Kagome.

Kagome…he thought, shakily getting to his feet. Where could she be at this hour? It's got to be the middle of the night!

Taking one last look at everyone he was leaving behind in the hut, he brushed the bamboo curtain aside and walked through the dark, empty village, looking up at the starlit sky.

He sniffed the air, instantly catching that sweet scent he knew too well. She's not far. He took off in a run after her, wishing to know she was safe. If she went back to that home of hers again, I'll—

But her scent didn't lead him towards the well. Instead, it led him in the opposite direction, towards the dark woods. Every instant, thinking of more things to yell at her for going off on her own in the middle of the night, he smelled her scent get stronger.

Finally, he came to outside of a clearing, her scent at its strongest, wrapping around him again, and intoxicating his senses. A small smile lit up his face. Well…maybe I won't yell at her that much. And he pushed aside the bushes and entered the clearing.

And nearly yelped in surprise with what he saw.

He had found himself in the clearing with the hot spring, vapors rising from the spring and making it misty and foggy. But despite the mist he could clearly see Kagome, naked, standing with her back turned to him, wrapping a blanket around herself as a makeshift towel. Damnit! I forgot where I was! Baka!

He had been planning to sneak away as if nothing happened, but to his horror, Kagome turned around and saw the blushing hanyou. She had something covering her up…but not enough to keep the blush and the fear of being sat off Inuyasha's face. A blush also came across her features. "Inu…yasha?"

Inuyasha's mouth just couldn't seem to form words. He kept his eyes on anywhere but her, but he couldn't help a glace at her, every so often. He was a boy, after all. "You were…you were…you weren't…there, you know…in there. And…I, uh…was looking for you, because…you weren't—"

"Yeah…I had a lot of things to think about, and I wanted to get clean so…" She looked down at her current situation, and blushed even more. She hadn't exactly planned on being barged at this time of night.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked, wondering what she was trying to say.

But she looked back up at him, the blush deepening. "I-Inuyasha! What are you doing here?" she asked, as if he hadn't explained before.

The hanyou was now as red as his haori. He would have liked nothing better but to leave and stop trying not to look at her, and cursing himself when he stole a glance once again. "S-sorry! I didn't…I didn't mean to!" He turned to leave, ready to get out as fast as his legs would let him, but Kagome grabbed the back of his haori a second before he did.

It was obvious she didn't want him to go. Using one hand to grab on to him, and one hand to hold the old blanket around her body, she said, "Wait! Inuyasha, its okay. You don't have to go. I'm not mad."

That surprised him. He didn't why she wanted him to stay. Before, she would have sat him to oblivion, and then ordered him to leave. He slowly turned around, a surprised look on his face, desperately trying to keep his eyes on her face and not letting them drift down. "Y-you're not?"

She shook her head and came closer to him, making him wish he could back away. "No. What did you want to talk to me about?" He stared. She thought he had come to talk? Well…maybe it was partially true… "Inuyasha?" she asked, again, when he turned away, obviously troubled.

"Its nothing." He muttered, though his amber eyes told otherwise.

Kagome was annoyed. He was keeping something from her, not opening up to her like he should have. If he could tell her what was wrong, maybe she would have the courage to tell as well. "Don't start this again." She said. "What is it?"

"It's just—" He started to say, but then stopped. He wasn't going to tell her about the awful dreams he had been having. They would frighten her, and he couldn't bear it if she learned that even in a dream, he had killed humans…and he never wanted her horrified of him. "Kagome, you nearly died on me the second time…" he whispered, revealing another thing that was haunting him.

This didn't scare her as much as it scared him. "I know, but don't worry about it. I'm fine." She smiled, her face making his heart rise in his chest. "You don't have to worry when you're here to protect me."

That statement didn't get the effect Kagome desired. Inuyasha walked closer, despite not wanting to risk getting any closer to her in her blanket-clad form. "Kagome," he began. "I'm afraid that one day…you'll leave me. There are other things out there besides youkai…I'm afraid I might not always be there to protect you."

Kagome stood across from him, still smiling. She tucked in the blanket firmly, and placed a hand on his cheek. "You can always protect me, Inuyasha. You're always there for me; to make me feel safe in your arms…I know you'll always be there for me." She paused, and a second later, she added, "And that's one reason why I love you."

It comes back to this, huh? Inuyasha thought, a grin lighting up his features. He didn't care about holding back for his sanity anymore, he wrapped his arms around Kagome, feeling her body shiver with delight at his touch, as he brought her close. "Make you feel safe in my arms, huh?" he teased. "Are you sure you always feel safe in them?"

"Of course I do?" she stated, her eyes sparkling. "Unless…there's a reason why I shouldn't be safe with you…" Her eyes lit up mischievously.

Inuyasha let out a laugh. "Keh! You're anything but safe when you're near me, because…I might do this…"

Without wasting anytime, he moved in for a passionate kiss. Giving a gasp, Kagome returned it, snaking her bare arms around his neck, bringing them closer. The kiss raged on, becoming deeper, more passionate, and lustful. For both of them, this was heaven, being held and kissed in the arms of their beloved. Inuyasha pulled back, both of them gasping from the intensity of their passions.

"Kagome…" Inuyasha whispered, finally able to say it. "I love you."

Kagome's eyes widened in shock, and happy surprise, but after a second she could fully comprehend what he said. Inuyasha said it…he said he loves me! Inuyasha loves me! Smiling up at him, she replied, "I love you too, Inuyasha."

Slowly losing control as his love and desire drove him on, he dove back in for another passionate kiss, pouring out all of his love for this girl in it. One thought floated into his brain. Something's going to happen soon…we might both die…and we can't die…not before showing her how much I love her…

Half intentionally, half accidentally, they both fell on the ground with a loud thump, with Inuyasha on top. Kagome gave a small yelp in surprise as they hit the ground, though still kissing. Beneath him, he felt the blanket around her come loose. Not fall open, but still…loose. That was enough to drive him mad.

They both broke away at the same instant, staring into each other's eyes. Though warning bells were both clanging in their heads, they did not move from their position. "Kagome…" Inuyasha whispered, looking into her eyes.

"Yes, Inuyasha?" she asked, not breaking away.

"I love you so much." He declared, leaning down and brushing his lips against her neck while she stiffened from the contact. "Kagome," he whispered into her ear. "I can't live without you…I need you Kagome…I couldn't ever leave you."

She found herself nodding as he said those things, unable to speak. Her whole body was shaking, and her heart beat so loud, she was sure he could hear it. Inuyasha…

He pulled back, looking into her eyes. "I couldn't bear to see you die…without being able to show you how much I love you…how much I want to be with you, for the rest of my life." Kagome gave a small gasp as he continued, "Please, Kagome…will you be my mate?"

She wanted to say yes, but she hesitated. Sure, she loved him, but she was only fifteen! Too young to do something like that! But…she loved him so much…she desired him so…and he had practically proposed marriage to her, to always love her, hold her, cherish her…forever…A tear filled her eye as she realized she couldn't resist. "Yes…" she replied, in a whisper nodding her head.

It took Inuyasha a second to realize that she had agreed. "Yes…" he repeated, as their lips met passionately, both of them losing all self control as they fell into the magic of their love and the night.

Hours later, clothes were strewn everywhere around the clearing. Kagome was sleeping on top of the blanket, covered by Inuyasha's red haori. Inuyasha, who had been lying next to her, had rolled over in his sleep, and instead of a calm, dreamy sleep, like his new mate had, he was in torment.

Inuyasha twitched and moaned as the scenes played out before his eyelids…

"Inuyasha…" Kagome murmured, close to his face. "I love you."

They kissed passionately, neither one of them wanting to stop…

He rolled over on his other side, cringing.

"I love you…" he whispered to her, so many times that night in her ear…

Inuyasha bit his lip, a slight growl escaped him in his sleep.

Kagome moaned, "Inuyasha…" her face content and peaceful…

He rolled over again, clenching his fists.

"Kagome, I love you so much." His own words echoed in his ear. "Will you be my mate?"

Another growl escaped him, while his claws dug into the grass beneath his body.

"I love you so much…will you be my mate?"

"I love you…"

"My mate…"

He gave a soft grunt, as if he was in pain, and clutched himself across his bare chest.

Kagome's face smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling with love, as she said, lovingly, "Inuyasha…"

A shakey breath escaped his lips. "Ka…gome…"

Tears of rage poured from the trapped Miko's eyes, a red flash of anger coming from them. "Curse you, hanyou!"

Inuyasha's eyes snapped open… and they were red, with blue pupils.

A/N: …I honestly have nothing to say about this... I'm sorry…