Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha . . .

ROCK ON!!!!!

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"O-Otashi-sama? What are you doing here?" Kagome asked, wide-eyed at the sight of the Mayor of Tokyo.

"Higurashi-dono; I see you made it here in one piece," Sesshoumaru inclined his head. Inuyasha, surprised and annoyed at the sudden appearance of his brother began to growl low.

Sighing, the older youkai turned to the hanyou. "If you are in need of attention, Inuyasha," he drawled, "I suggest you do something other than growl; it is so demeaning to us inu--"

"What are you doing here?" the body guard asked again, his voice dripping with malice.

There were a few moments of silence before Sesshoumaru replied irritably, "If you must know, little brother, I come here often to check on these lands."

"Check . . . on these lands?" Kagome asked slowly.

"Since Inuyasha is not yet of age to inherit the lands," Kaede spoke up, "Sesshoumaru-sama voluntarily visits to make sure the land is in the condition the Inu-tashio intended them to be in."

"Feh, that doesn't sound right," Inuyasha snorted. "What's in it for you, baka?"

The heiress watched as the mayor remained cool and collected as his younger brother continued to insult him. His patience is astonishing . . . and yet scary . . .was their father like that?

"Inuyasha, you are more dense than I take you to be," Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "You, Inuyasha are the body guard of Higurashi Kagome, the granddaughter of one of the wealthiest business tycoons in Japan, am I correct?"

"Yeah . . . so?"

"And this woman you were hired to protect . . . she is running a campaign, is she not?"

"Uh huh . . ."

"And the purpose of the campaign is--"

"Is to preserve the old Bone Eater's Well that's found here," Inuyasha cut off impatiently. "What's your point?"

"If you remember correctly, dear brother, I am supporting the campaign that is run by Kagome and her grandfather."

Kagome nodded, finally understanding. "So, you come here often to make sure our opponents haven't done anything illegal, right?"

"Correct. Inuyasha, maybe you should take a few lessons from her . . . she appears to be quite sharp." Sesshoumaru cracked a smirk, settling down in a seat next to Kaede. "Now, Yoshizawa-sama, has there been any new . . . developments that I should be aware about?"

The old woman shook her head. "None . . . everything here has been peaceful."

"Good, good . . ." he trailed off, his gaze falling on his younger brother again. "Inuyasha, your birthday is in the coming week, is it not?"

The hanyou glanced at his brother suspiciously. "Yeah . . . what about it . . . "

"Your birthday is this week? Why didn't you tell me?" Kagome nudged him in the ribcage.

"It's not all that important . . ." he muttered, looking away in embarrassment.

"But it's your birthday!" she protested, looking at him straight in the eye.

"Feh . . . silly wench," he murmured as he felt his face flush. Why does she care anyway?

Sesshoumaru stood, a strange expression on his face. "On the contrary, Inuyasha, this is your 22nd birthday. By Father's will, you will inherit Musashi completely. I will have no further business here other than campaign-wise."

A sudden ringing filled the air, and the mayor pulled out a small cell phone. Glancing at the number briefly, he bowed to the group. "I'm afraid I will have to take my leave. I presume, Inuyasha, you will be staying here for your birthday?"

The hanyou looked at the woman at his side, and she nodded her head. "Yes, we'll be here."

"Alright. I"ll be back then." With a final bow, he turned and started on the path uphill, disappearing behind the trees.

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"Why didn't you ever tell me about your birthday?" Kagome accused, staring at Inuyasha with wide eyes. They were back in their cabin after Kaede announced she had some business to attend to. As much as the couple wanted to accompany her, the old woman insisted that she would make a better guide when her hands were free.

Inuyasha leaned lazily back into the chair, closing his eyes. "Didn't think you cared," he drawled, his ear twitching as he heard the scrape of the chair against the floor. Silly woman . . .

He waited for a response from his companion, but all he heard was silence. Cracking an eye open, he was surprised to see Kagome's face inches away from his. "AAH!" he yelped, sending his chair backward as he sprawled on the floor.

"What was that for?!?" he snapped, glaring at the woman who towered over him. She surprised him further by sitting down on the floor with him, her legs crossed as she stared at him with the same intensity as before.

"Why didn't you think I cared?" she asked softly, her coffee brown eyes boring into his golden ones.

"Ai . . . uh . . . no one ever did, so why would you?" he ended hastily, sitting up as he mimicked her position. They sat facing each other, each in silence.

"I care," Kagome whispered, her gaze never leaving his.

"Ka . . . Kagome . . ." Inuyasha stammered, watching the strange emotions that rose up in her eyes.

A sudden crash sent the two jumping into the air. Kagome shrieked and quickly ran into Inuyasha's arms, his limbs feeling like iron bands around her body. "Wh . . . what was that?" she whispered.

The hanyou body guard looked around cautiously. One look outside the window and he could tell the sun was about to set. Something's wrong here . . .

He walked towards the window slowly, keeping the heiress slightly behind him but covering her enough from any unsuspected attacks. He put a finger to his lips to motion the woman to keep quiet, as he slowly peeked out the window.

Inuyasha looked around, but saw nothing. There's someone here . . . I can feel it . . .

"Inuyasha," Kagome whispered.

"Sssh." He leaned closer to the window, scanning the outside further.

"Inuyasha," she repeated, a little more urgent.

"Sssh, woman!" he whispered harshly, never letting his eyes stop searching for anything suspcious.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome nearly gasped, "Look!"

The hanyou whipped around, and following Kagome's finger, saw a figure dart from the window across the room. With his demonic speed he dashed over to the window, but the figure was gone.

"Did you see who it was?" Inuyasha asked seriously, glancing back at the woman. She shook her head, "No," she said quietly.

"Stay here, and stay away from the windows and doors," he ordered, making his way towards the door. He opened it carefully, and making sure to lock the door, shut it behind him.

Inuyasha checked the perimeter around the house carefully, but found nothing. Underneath the window he had seen the intruder he found footsteps, but nothing that would lead him to suspect anyone. With a heavy sigh, he sheathed his sword and headed back to the door.

"Kagome, open up, it's me," he called, waiting patiently for the lock to click open. As he entered, he noticed the pale face of the woman.

"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly, engulfing her in his embrace as she flung herself into him.

"They . . . they know we're here, don't they?" she whispered, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"I'm not sure . . . I didn't find anything . . . sssh, it's alright," he soothed, stroking her hair as her heavy breathing ceased.

He carefully scooted over to the couch where he sat, Kagome still in his arms. "I'm here, silly woman," he murmured, pushing her back slightly and wiping the single tear that escaped. "Nothing will happen to you, I swear," he declared, stroking her cheek absentmindedly.

Noticing the strange look in her eyes he was ready to pull back, remembering her past with her ex-boyfriend when she wrapped her arms around his neck, her warm breath making the hanyou crazy. What's she doing?

"I'm . . . I'm never scared when I'm with you," she admitted, pulling back as she stared into his eyes. The two stared at each other momentarily, their breathing becoming heavier and heavier by the minute.

"Kagome," Inuyasha whispered, slowly dipping his face and brushing her lips with his. He heard her gasp, and was mentally slapping himself when she pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. "Inuyasha," she murmured, grabbing his head to further access his lips.

Half amazed and half delighted, the hanyou wrapped his arms around her waist as he nibbled on her lower lip, gently nipping her with his fangs. She sucked in her breath, but seemed to enjoy his ministrations. Feeling the need for air, she reluctantly pulled back, staring into his surprised eyes.

"Kagome . . . " Inuyasha began after a few moments, "Are you sure you should've done--"

He was cut off when her finger touched his lips. "I . . . I have no regrets," she responded shakily as she cracked a smile. She was further rewarded when Inuyasha pulled her in once again, his strong arms holding onto her like a security blanket.

Inuyasha . . .arigatou . . .

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AN: they kiss! and it's mutual! no interruptions! horray! but is everything downhill from here? no one knows . . . 'cept maybe for me . . .MUAHAHA

thanks guys for the reviews!

stay tuned!