Inu 20

Inuyasha stood at the doorway watching Kagome. She was sitting in her bed, ensnared by a painting on the wall. Inuyasha didn't know what to do or how to start. So he silently stood there, until Kagome's gaze fell on him. She smiled and patted the bed she was occupying.

Inuyasha sat down and looked at her. Her eyes were not as bright as they once were. She had dark circles under her eyes. But still she kept the smile on her face. That smile that Inuyasha had come to love. He returned the smile.

"Inuyasha…"

"Yes?"

"Thank you, for everything. For the hot chocolate, to sharing your condo, and even for providing for me, I will never be able to thank you enough for it."

"It was nothing…"

Inuyasha's voice was low and was mumbled, Kagome's brow furrowed in concern.

"Inuyasha, are you alright?"

"Never better."

The bitterness of his words belied the truth. Kagome gently took one of his hands in hers.

"Inuyasha, I know something is wrong."

Her eyes were shiny, like there were tears welling up. Inuyasha let out a sigh before starting.

"Kagome… it's just… I… sigh I don't know how to say this. But just, you and Kouga now have a deeper connection than you and I do. So I'll understand if you want to move in with him."

"Inuyasha…"

Inuyasha could not meet Kagome's eyes. She took her hand and under his chin turned his face, so that he was looking her in the eyes. His eyes held fear.

"I'm not going to leave you, for Kouga. I love you. It was because of you that I was able to break the spell. And you think that after everything that has happened, I'd give up on you?"

She lovingly stroked the side of his face.

"I've searched forever, for one I could love. And through some weird twist of fate, I met you. And happened to fall in love. Whether it was the dancing, or just all the time I spent with you, it happened. And I will not forsake you just so Kouga and I can start a new life together. Kouga and I will have to remain friends. And yes he will be her dad. But you can be her dad too. That is, if you still want to be."

She looked away, embarrassed. Inuyasha's eyes softened. This time it was him who took her by the chin. Instead of just turning her head, he moved in and kissed her deeply. Kagome responded quickly. When they broke Sango and Miroku were standing in the doorway looking at them. Sango had a dreamy look in her eyes, and Miroku just rolled his. Kagome and Inuyasha just smiled sheepishly.

The living arrangements were that Kagome would move back in with Inuyasha, with Tenkei. Kouga would visit at least once a week so that his baby girl would be able to know her biological father.

Kagome walked into the living room with a hand on her back, stretching.

"I swear, bending over all the time to check on Tenkei in her crib is breaking my break."

"Well what do you expect from wolf demons? I mean they are known for their liveliness."

Inuyasha pulled her into an embrace on the couch he was occupying, and gently kissed her forehead.

"So what was Sesshomaru's explanation to how our darling little Tenkei is a full blooded wolf demon?"

"It was something along the lines of 'Kagome's body has a sacred magic object within it that allowed the wolf cub within her womb to develop without acquiring any human blood into its blood line. Instead from Kagome, it instead acquired magical properties.' Or something along those lines."

Kagome snuggled into Inuyasha, burying her face in his chest. She was set to go to sleep, when a cry erupted from Tenkei's room. She let out a growl that even made Inuyasha impressed. Stood up and wearily walked over to where Tenkei was laying. Within a few moments the crying had stopped and instead a soft voice was heard.

"Sssssh, my babe, I love you dearly

Some day you'll grow

You'll be like your father

But you will have my smile

You'll never be alone

I won't let you be alone

For our hearts will always intertwine

I love you, my dear

I love you, my babe

Together we will grow

Together we will flourish

I know that you may not know

I know that you won't understand

But I love you now and forever

For you are my daughter

I love you now and always."

Kagome silently set the sleeping wolf cub into her crib. And stood just watching her, a smile on her face. Knowing that this little girl in front of her would look like Kouga. She'd have his eyes. She already had his hair colour. But she would be sweet like Kagome, though perhaps with her father's mischievous side as well.

Inuyasha was sitting in the living room admiring Kagome's voice. She had a wonderful voice, but only sang to Tenkei. That child brought out the best in her. Inuyasha smiled softly. Reaching into his pocket he withdrew a small box. He knew he was ready, but the question was; was she?

Tenkei just kept growing, every day she was getting bigger. Soon it was becoming difficult for Kagome to carry her. Kouga would always laugh when Kagome would complain. Saying it was his strong demon blood. Inuyasha would always retort with 'So wolf blood makes you fat?' Which would promptly shut Kouga up.

Despite the constant rivalry between Inuyasha and Kouga they were becoming friends. It was a slow and arduous process for Kagome, but lucky for her, Ayame was helping her too.

Kouga was beginning to stop seeing Kagome as a potential mate, and began to see Ayame as one. Since the last he had seen her before she moved away, she wasn't even a woman yet, he hadn't had to the opportunity to see her clearly. But once he had, he had almost fallen in love at first sight.

Kouga and Ayame were supposed to mate within the coming year. Ayame was ecstatic. Kagome was too. Hopefully then, Kouga would move on. Though she doubted he would ever stop calling her 'his woman'.

Sango and Miroku had recently moved in with each other. Miroku was very happy as it led him to believe he might have an opportunity to have sex with Sango, boy was he wrong. Instead he was doing all of the cooking and cleaning, as Sango was working full time, and needed to put in some extra hours.

Inuyasha and Kagome's relationship was developing wonderfully. Though Inuyasha still had to pop the question. But he didn't want to do it in the typical fancy restaurant, ring in dessert thing. He wanted something all his own.

His chance came up when a fair was in town. Kagome had dropped Tenkei off at Kouga's for the night. They were going to pick him up in the morning. Inuyasha and Kagome were going to spend the night at the fair. At around ten o'clock they made their way to the Ferris wheel. They got to the top, and Inuyasha pointed out to a giant black wall. Kagome squinted her eyes, when all of a sudden a bunch of lights turned on. Kagome read out loud.

"Kagome, I love you will you marry me?"

She turned her head around to see Inuyasha holding out a box with a ring in it. It was a white gold band with a single diamond in it.

"Yes." She replied breathlessly. "YES!"

She pulled Inuyasha into a hug and kissed him. Their kiss lasted until their ride on the Ferris wheel was over. Afterwards Kagome was very giddy. Inuyasha was so happy he managed to win her a giant teddy bear with a heart on it.

Back at their apartment Inuyasha and Kagome were very happy. Kagome picked up the phone to call her mother when Inuyasha unplugged it and said.

"First there's something I would like my bride-to-be to share with me."

"What?"

"All of herself." He answered huskily, kissing her neck.

A/N there you go a brand spanking new chappie. You'd all better love me to pieces! Hear that! Pieces!