Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha . . .

ROCK ON!!!

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Kagome nervously wrung her hands while walking behind Inuyasha. It had been a quiet ride home, each thinking about the near-kiss they each had. What in the world came over me?!?

Now, the two were headed back to the shrine house where the lights were open. The heiress glanced at a window as a figure moved across, it's shadow clearly feminine.

"So, what's she like?"

The young woman jerked her head toward the hanyou's direction. "What?"

"Your mother, what's she like?" he repeated, his back still towards her.

"Oh, umm . . . she's really sweet. She's kind, and she's always happy . . . I hardly ever see her in a bad mood. She's flexable; she let's me do things as long as she knows where I'm going and who I'll be with."

The miko waited to hear a response from Inuyasha. He said nothing.

I wonder why he asked . . . her thoughts were interrupted as Inuyasha stopped in his tracks, causing her to bump into his back.

"Oof. Hey, what--"

"How does she take to . . . demons?"

The question was simple and abrupt. "Demons?" Kagome echoed.

"Yeah, demons." Inuyasha turned, his violet eyes holding a strange expression. "Like me."

The heiress blinked. Is that why he asked what my mom was like? "Well," she began slowly, "She has nothing against them. She treats them like any other person. She's a doctor, and I know she has at least ten patients with demonic hertiage or powers . . ."

Inuyasha, who's shoulders were visibly tense with apprehension, relaxed at his charge's words. Nodding briefly, he turned back around and resumed their excursion across the courtyard.

"Why'd you ask?"

The hanyou closed his eyes, trying to drown out her question. She doesn't need to know . . .

"Inuyasha?" The young woman ran/hobbled in front of her bodyguard, standing in his path. "Why'd you ask?" she repeated.

"It's nothing," he brushed off, moving to pass her. She wouldn't budge.

"Tell me," she persisted. Something's wrong with him . . .

Rolling his eyes, he tried to move around her again. This time, the heiress attached herself to his arm, immobilizing him. "Tell me," she said, her coffee brown eyes boring into his indigo pools.

Inuyasha looked down at the woman clinging to his arm, hesitant to tell her. He watched as her eyes gazed up into his, full of concern. Sighing, he knew he wouldn't win this battle.

"Iwasrejectedasakidbecausei'mahanyou," he spoke hurridly. Smiling down at the woman, he gently pried her off his arm. "There," he said, and made his way back into the house.

He had walked a couple of yards when he realized the Kagome's absence behind him. Stopping, he turned around to see the heiress where he had left her, staring at him with wide eyes.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked gruffly, stuffing his fists into his pockets.

Kagome stood there, her doe-like eyes looking at him sadly. Damnit . . . she figured out what I said . . .

"I had no idea," she whispered, her hands clasped together at her chest. Inuyasha stared at her, her hair in diarray and her body covered with his long leather jacket.

"Forget it," he mumbled, motioning her to come to him. "It was a long time ago."

He watched as she walked slowly towards him, her eyes never leaving his. In a matter of seconds she was by his side, her lips trembling. The hanyou was startled to see her eyes shining with unshed tears. She's crying . . . for me?

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, one small, crystallized tear running down her cheek. She reached out and took his hand and gently squeezed it. "I had no idea."

Inuyasha was dumbfounded by the young woman's actions. "Er, uh . . . it's . . . no big deal," he flustered, scratching his head.

Kagome gazed up at him confused. No big deal? But . . . he was rejected! She stared up into his face, his expression in an undeniable embarrassment. However, as she looked closer, she noticed a twinge of pain that flashed before his eyes momentarily.

He doesn't want it brought up . . . if he doesn't want to talk about it, I won't force him. Staring at him for a moment longer, she rose up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I like you as a hanyou," she whispered.

Turning away, she faced the house, giving his hand another squeeze. "Let's go meet Mom," she said as cheerfully as she could.

The hanyou let the petite woman drag him the rest of the way to the house, his mind in a daze. She . . . kissed me on the cheek?!! And she says she likes me as a hanyou . . . wait, she likes me as a hanyou?!!?

The dog demon opened his mouth to speak when he realized they were standing right outside of the front door. Looking up and offering another smile, Kagome opened to door and called out, "Mom, we're home."

Their little intimate moment a few moments before was temporarily forgotten as a woman appeared through the kitchen doorway. "Kagome!" she greeted warmly, "how are you dear? Oh, and you must be Inuyasha," she gestured, moving closer to get a better look. "I'm Mrs. Higurashi, but you can just call me Mom."

Inuyasha was startled. Not only was this woman an older version of his charge, but her kindness was surprising. I've never been shown such kindness . . . maybe except from my own Mother . . .

Mrs. Higurashi clucked her tongue. "Come now, don't stand in the dark foyar. Let's go into the living room and get better accquainted. I've made some hot chocolate," she added, turning to the living room.

Shaking her head in amusement, the heiress glanced up at her body guard. "See, she's nice," she teased, poking him in the side gently.

"Uh huh. Wait until she sees my demon form in the morning," he muttered, following Kagome into the other room. The living room was brightly lit; apparently Mrs. Higurashi didn't like a dim room.

"Sit, sit," she urged, patting the couch beside her. She poured hot water into three mugs, her other hand reaching for the chocolate mix.

After everyone was settled with a steaming cup of chocolate, the older woman began her questions. "Now, Inuyasha, why don't you tell me a few things about yourself. What were you doing before Kagome's grandfather hired you?"

"Well, I was a police officer," Inuyasha replied, "I had just graduated from the academy two weeks prior."

"Interesting," the woman nodded. "How old are you?"

"I'm 21 ma'am," the hanyou-turned human said politely. Mrs. Higurashi chuckled at his attempts.

"My my, what a well-etiquette young man," she mused, taking a sip of her coffee. "And your parents? What are they like?"

Inuyasha paused for a moment, this answer not being as easy as the previous ones. "Well, my father passed away a few years ago, and my mother died when I was 10."

The room was overcome by silence. Kagome had never known about his childhood, and her heart heavied as she remembered his rushed words earlier.

"I'm . . .sorry," Mrs. Higurashi consoled, her face flushed. Inuyasha waved his hand. "It's alright," he grumbled, taking a swig of his drink.

The older woman cleared her throat. "Ahem, well . . . who did you live with after?"

"I was left in the care of my older half-brother, Sesshoumaru," he said grudgingly, not really wanting to bring up his sibling.

"Sesshoumaru?" Mrs. Higurashi echoed. "Mayor Sesshoumaru Otashi?"

Inuyasha supressed a growl at the mention of his brother's formal title. "The one and only," he muttered, leaning back into the couch.

"That's quite a connection," Mrs. Higurashi commented, "Although . . . isn't Mayor Otashi youkai? You seem human to me . . ."

"I'm a hanyou," the young man explained, "My mother was a human, but me and my brother share the same father. TOnight's one of the nights when my human blood takes over, hiding all my demonic features."

"Really? Wow . . " Kagome's mother appeared to be impressed. "You must have an interesting life; both youkai and human!"

The body guard stared at her. She's not disgusted at me? She's not going to run out of the room because I'm a half-breed? This family's strange . . .

"Well, look at the time," Mrs. Higurashi exclaimed, standing up. She collected their cups as she said, "I'm a little exhausted from the plane ride. I'll leave you two alone, and I'll see both of you in the morning!" she said cheerfully, leaving the room.

"Oh, and Kagome!" she called over her shoulder. "Jii-san called earlier. He wants to remind you to study the scrolls in the old storage room."

The older woman disappeared, leaving the two young adults together. Inuyasha wasn't particularly tired, but the woman beside him was yawning.

"You should get some sleep," he mumbled, nudging her gently.

"Yes, mother," Kagome said saracastically. "But I'll take your advice. You should get some rest too; you were shot at tonight," added softly.

With a soft 'goodnight' the heiress stood, only to be stopped by the hanyou's arm grabbing her hand. "Kagome," he asked huskily, "could I ask you something?"

"Go for it."

"Why . . . why are you and your family so accepting of me?"

Kagome blinked at him. "Why wouldn't we accept you, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha relaxed, her innocent answer good enough for him. He shook his head, as if to shrug off the question. "Nah, forget I asked."

The heiress looked at him curiously for a moment, before smiling. Inuyasha stood, and the two walked upstairs, pausing outside of Kagome's door.

"Night," she yawned, punching him lightly in the arm.

"Night," he returned, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

He watched as she entered her room and closed it behind her. Sighing, he went into his own room, stripped off his pants and shirt, and comfortably settled into the sheets in his boxers. He closed his eyes, the events of the day finally taking a toll on his human body.

That night, Inuyasha didn't have nightmares of being taunted as a child. Instead, a beautiful young woman with black hair and coffee-brown eyes occupied his dreams, perfect in every way except for her broken smile.

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AU: whew, another chapter! yay!! lol . . .

notice at the very last sentence I added 'except for her broken smile.' It's just to remind you guys that although Kagome and Inuyasha are falling in love with each other little by little, there is still that little thing in Kagome's past that's keeping them apart . . . that small kiss up there on the cheek wasn't exactly romantic . . . it was more of a way to assure Inuyasha that she accepted him the way he was.

now, to answer a few questions that jamie asked. . . Hamayaki Garden was a place I made up. If there is such a place, I had no idea . . .

for those you have visited my deviantart page, yes, my name is Rochele.

well, I'll try to update as soon as possible . .

stay tuned!!!