Disclaimer – :still laughing hysterically:

#10 – Proposition

"No."

"But, Inu Yasha…"

Amber eyes flashed in annoyance. "I said no!"

There was a pause and their eyes met, engaging in a battle of wills.

Finally she relented, letting out a little sound of frustration. "Why won't you let me do it?" she exclaimed. "It's not a bad idea!"

"No, it's an incredibly stupid idea," Inu Yasha growled. "And you're not going to do it."

She looked hurt for a moment but frowned in anger once again. "You said it was my wish to make…"

He flinched but recovered quickly. Of all the things for her to be stubborn about… "I don't care if it's the friggin' Daimyo's wish, you're not going to do it." She opened her mouth to interject but he cut her off. "Make some sense, Kagome – why the hell you want to wish to be a hanyou?"

The young girl in front of him paused, staring down at the pink bauble clutched loosely in her hand. She looked up at him hesitantly. "You were going to become human for Kikyo…"

Well, that shut him up. He stumbled back a bit, his expression flustered. He stared at her a moment before looking away. "You said you didn't want me to change." He muttered.

"I still don't…" she replied hesitantly. "But Inu Yasha…"

He placed a finger to her lips, effectively silencing her. He could feel her face heat up under his touch. "Kagome," he said earnestly, staring into her wide eyes. "You said you didn't want me to change… I was happy when you said that." She blinked in surprise. "So if you would accept me for who I am… why would expect anything different from me?"

"I…" she paused and swallowed, looking flustered. "Inu Yasha…I don't want you to be left alone…"

He tilted his head. The girl was a marvel; she had sacrificed so much for him. And just now, she had been willing to give up everything she had come to appreciate in her life – her friends, her family, and her peace of mind – all for the sake of the lowly hanyou. Hell, she had even offered to become one just so that he wouldn't be alone.

'You'll outlive her, you know…' a voice in his head nagged. 'You'll watch her wither and grow old while you stay the same… and she'll be gone before you know it…'

No, there was another way around that. He gulped and then gathered his resolve.

"Kagome, do you…" He paused. "Really want to stay with me?"

She blinked at him as if he had said something particularly astounding. "Of course I do, Inu Yasha," she exclaimed, slightly incredulous. "Don't you know yet that I love you?"

He did, deep down… but it was still warming to hear her say it. "Kagome…" he paused again, still decidedly unsure. "Will you… be my mate?"

End