Chapter 11
A Night of Peace
Once they reached Keade's village, it was already dark. Inuyasha knocked on Keade's door loudly. The old woman opened the door to see the silver haired hanyou standing there with Ayame on his back. "I need your help, Keade." Inuyasha said sternly. "What can I do for ye?" the old woman asked. "Ayame needs your care, she is badly injured." He replied. Keade let the two into the small hut like structure. "Inuyasha, fetch a pale of water to clean her wounds." Inuyasha disliked being told what to do, but Ayame needed treatment. He brought back the bucket of water and Keade took Ayame into the back room so she could get a better look at her wounds without Inuyasha there (winkwink; ) ). She cleansed them carefully, and gently wrapped the bandages around Ayame's upper body, sort of making a shirt of bandages. She gave Ayame a change of clothes that would be more comfortable to sleep in. She then changed. Once she was done, they met Inuyasha in the middle room where he had made a fire. They all sat down and warmed themselves. Keade took a pot over to the fire and cooked some rice for them. When they finished eating, Inuyasha explained what had happened. "So why did she come back to life?" Inuyasha asked. "Because you avenged her out of love to rest her soul, but the only place her soul would rest, is with you." She replied. Ayame kissed his cheek and said, "See, I really do love you, I turned down heaven for you." "I love you so much!" he said as he grabbed her sat her in his lap. Ayame laughed. "Better be off to bed." Keade advised, "Will ye be staying the night?" "If that's alright with you." Ayame said. "Come, let me show ye to the room." Keade brought them to a room with a mat set up. "I will see ye in the morning." She said. Keade lit a lantern and put it in their room. Keade was off to bed and Inuyasha got in bed also. Since it was a hot night, Ayame slept in her bandages. She crawled into bed with Inuyasha. He wrapped his arms around her and held her. Her hand rested on his bare chest. "You look so cute without your shirt off." She giggled. "Hey so would you." He replied. "Inuyasha!" she laughed. She buried her head into her shoulder and neck. "I love you so much, Inuyasha." She said as she kissed his neck. "I love you too." He replied as he kissed her and held her closer. They stayed up for hours talking about many things. Then, Ayame dozed off. Inuyasha watched her as she slept soundly in his arms. He felt so much love for her. Perhaps she would consider being his mate? But should he ask? How would he? When would he? And where? He would be very nervous to ask her. "Whatever…I'll worry about this later." He thought. He then took the lantern and blew out the flame, and the dim light coming from the room faded away. He lay there still looking at her. "I hope you will accept." He whispered as he brushed her hair away from her face gently. He then gently dozed off into a sea of many dreams.