Disclaimer: Still waiting….-telephone rings- Hello? Nope, not her. Oh well, still waiting…

A/N: Thank you guys for your great response to last chapter. And –wink- Kan will make a later appearance, but it may not be in this fic. I'm thinking of a sequel, because it's been mention rather often. What do you think? Want one? Anyways thanks for the great response.

WARNING: This chapter will include some nudity, and there is a lemon, but of course you'll have to go to my profile for it. For those of you who read my last lemon, it was rather gentle and subtle compared to this one. Because I believe that is exactly as their first would have happened, very gentle. This one ain't like that, so be prepared. And again if you are under 18 DO NOT READ THE LEMON. It is not for young readers.

Chapter 22- Distractions

Shina leaned on the hospital bedside railing. "Taro?" One eye slowly cracked open to gaze up at her, the other was swollen shut. He grimaced at her. She shook her head. "You look like you were run over by a train."

Taro's eyes glazed over as he stared at her. "Demon…" His voice wheezed out. It was painful to talk due to his numerous broken ribs.

Shina cocked an eyebrow. "Demon? Are you saying a demon did this to you?" She chuckled lightly. "You haven't lost your sense of humor, or what there was of it anyways."

His left hand shot up and gripped her arm. "He had…red eyes…dog ears." He took ragged breaths between his words.

Shina just shook her head. "You must have hit your head pretty hard. I never thought there was much in there to damage, but I guess there was."

"Stay…away…" He coughed violently, collapsing against the bed and his eyes slid shut. "Dangerous…" was the only word that slipped from his lips before the welcomed arms of unconscious took him once more.

Shina sighed and shook her head once more. 'Taro, you fool. You were supposed to take care of the girl, not get your ass pounded into hamburger meat.' She scowled at him and then turned to leave. Taro had spent the majority of the day in surgery or getting casts made for his broken limbs. The doctors assured his family that he'd be fine, though it'd be some time before he could walk again or even leave the hospital. His ramblings about this 'demon' seemed to concern the doctors and they believed there had been permanent brain damage.

Shina frowned as she pressed the elevator button. 'I wonder if that Inu Yasha really did this to him.' She smirked. 'He sure looks like the type that could and probably would.' She let out a frustrated sigh. 'If only Gyou and Chi had kept their end of the plan, Taro wouldn't be like that now.'

As she stepped into the parking lot, her cell phone rang. She flipped it open. "Yeah."

"Shina, we've got trouble." Chi's voice held a level of trepidation.

"What sort of trouble?" She paused beside her car to pull her keys out. The world outside was growing dark, the sky fading into the colors of the rainbow.

"The old woman called her to her room today." Chi's voice wavered this time with slight fear.

Shina nearly dropped her phone. "W-what! You better not mean what I think you mean or heads will roll!"

Chi cleared his throat and she could almost hear him pacing their suite. "We didn't know about it. We found out too late. Gyou spotted her leaving with that guy."

It was lucky Shina wasn't already driving or she would have wrecked by this point. "You let her talk to her! I swear, I leave you two alone for a few hours and you can't keep things together that long!" Shina plopped into her car and slammed the door shut. "You better hope I can fix this, because if I can't you know what will happen."

Chi choked slightly on the other end. "Shina, we still have a chance…Maybe you could talk to the old woman…."

Shina snorted indelicately. "I've already done that. The old bat won't even listen." She heaved a heavy sigh. "But, I'll give it one more shot. Maybe she'll take sympathy on the bride."

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Kagome watched her future son walk away with a smile. They were alone now beside the fire and she turned to gaze up at her hanyou. He had a very pleased smirk on his lips which became a grin when he turned to look at her. She leaned up to plant a kiss on his cheek. In a flash of movement, she found herself again in his lap with his lips blazing a stream of passion down her neck. When they connected with hers, an unquenchable burn exploded within her.

Her head fell to the side as he began to nip at her earlobe and bury his nose in her neck. "Kagome…" His voice held passion, desire, need, and a question of longing. Kagome shivered and moaned softly at the rising pressure that met her bottom. It was enough of an answer for him. His lips crushed hers once more in desperate hunger. Kagome was vaguely aware of him lifting her into his arms and kicking out the small fire. He scooped up the towel and beach bag in one hand before dashing off across the sand.

Kagome didn't question him as the world blurred past them in the darkness. He stopped at the edge of a sharp ledge that dropped straight down fifty feet. Below was a secluded piece of beach that was surrounded on three sides by sheer vertical rock walls. Without hesitation he hopped down, Kagome still held firmly to his chest.

Inu Yasha had spotted this place while they had walked the beach shortly after the incident with Shina and her horrendous rubber-band. No one seemed to know about it. It was completely undisturbed. Kagome looked around in wonder as he set her on her feet. There was a convenient cutting in the rock wall where the waves had cut out a concave hollow.

Inu Yasha kissed her softly once more, before releasing her to lay the towels in the cutting. No words were exchanged as he returned to her and cupped her cheeks in his hands. She gazed up at him, her eyes reflecting her love in the dim moonlight. For a long moment he stared down at her and then he smiled, a true smile from the depths of his soul that seemed to make his amber eyes glow. "I love you, Kagome."

Kagome leaned into his touch. "And I you, Inu Yasha, forever." She gasped softly as one of his arms wrapped around her drawing her against him while his other hand cupped her neck as he met her lips again. Kagome's body molded to his and her hands sought out the silky skin that hid beneath his shirt.

&&&&LEMON ON PROFILE LINK&&&&&

Kagome cuddled deeper into the warmth that was Inu Yasha. His body was wrapped around her, shielding her still nude form from the wind. She lifted her head from his shoulder. "We should be getting back soon. Mom will be worried."

He nuzzled her neck. "Mmm, I like being here alone with you."

She smiled softly and kissed his forehead. "I know. I do too. We'll find time to be alone, I promise."

"Mine." He mumbled drawing her tighter against him.

"And you're mine, but we need to be getting back." He whined loudly, but allowed her to extract herself from him. She shivered at the lack of his warmth as she gathered her clothing. She paused and glanced at the silvery waves. She dropped her clothing back on top of the beach bag.

Inu Yasha had been watching his mate's milky white silhouette in the moonlight. "What's wrong, now?"

She stood and cast him a quick smirk over her shoulder. "Catch me if you can!" Her heart pounded as she heard a playful growl behind her. She didn't dare look back as she dashed into the surf. His feet barely touched the sand as he chased after her. Kagome made it up to her waist when her hanyou took her down from behind. They both went under and came gurgling back to the surface.

"You should no better than to challenge me, wench." Inu Yasha drug her against him. He ran his fangs teasingly down her neck. "I'll win every time."

Kagome giggled and tugged at one of his ears. "Yeah, but I know your weaknesses, oh mighty hanyou."

"Feh, I don't got weaknesses." He tried to flick his ear away from her hand.

"Oh, really?" She began to rub the base of his ear and his eyelids slid to half-mast.

"That is totally unfair." He half rumbled.

Kagome giggled again. "Ah, ha! So the great and powerful Inu Yasha does have a weakness!"

"Feh." He snorted. "You better stop now or we ain't leaving." Kagome's hand stopped, but he gasped when he felt her warm breath brush the tiny hairs inside his ear. His body stiffened and he couldn't suppress the moan that escaped him. "That's it, you've done it now." He scooped her up and over one shoulder.

"Inu Yasha! What are you doing?" She squealed and pounded playfully on his back while he started back toward the shore.

"I told you to stop. Now we can't ever leave this beach. I hope you like fish, 'cause that's all you're getting for the next couple hundred years."

Kagome gasped, her cheeks burning. "Inu Yasha! That's not funny!"

"I ain't laughing, am I?"

"Oh, you! Put me down!" She began to squirm, effectively stopping Inu Yasha in the thigh high water.

He growled. "Kagome stop squirming or you'll-"

He was cut off as Kagome successfully toppled herself from his shoulder. He tried to hold on but she was wet and slippery. Kagome went under for a split second before coming back up. She whimpered slightly. "Ow."

"Kami, Kagome be more careful. You could have…" He paused as the scent of her blood came to him, even over the scent of the salty water. He raised his claws to his nose and growled fiercely. "Shit!" He reached down and grabbed her, pulling her to her feet. "Where?" He demanded.

She took a half step back, not in fear but in hesitation. She knew he hadn't done it on purpose, but she also knew he'd blame himself. "It's okay. It doesn't hurt."

"Then why'd you say 'ow' ?" He held fast to her wrist, tight enough to restrain her but not enough to hurt her.

"It was reflex. It doesn't hurt anymore, I swear." She tugged on her hand, but he wouldn't let go.

"Where?" He growled again, his amber eyes flaring in the darkness. "Tell me or I'll find it myself."

Kagome gave a defeated sigh. She placed her hand on the outside of her right thigh. "Inu Yasha, It's…"

"Damn it." He continued to growl as he picked her up and crushed her to his chest. He held her above the water as if it were acid as he waded back to the shore. Laying her gently on the towels they had used as a makeshift bed, he began to search for the wound. He pried her fingers gently away and found the tiny scratch. It was less than a half an inch and had barely broken the skin. He cursed again. It was small; nevertheless he hated himself for it. He wiped it gently with his thumb before dipping his head and licking it lovingly.

Kagome nearly melted on the spot. "Inu Yasha…"

He lifted his head to stare down at her with a serious golden gaze. "Kagome, I'm sorry."

She shook her head as she pulled him down to lay his head upon her breasts. "It's okay."

"But I hurt you. I could've-" He protested as he tried to sit back up.

But Kagome held him tighter. "Shh, it's not your fault. You told me to be careful and I didn't listen. It's my own fault. And besides, it doesn't hurt, I promise."

"I could've sliced your leg open though!"

She stroked his hair in a calming fashion. "No, you wouldn't have. I've seen you time and again use your claws for even the most delicate things. You have enough control over them that you wouldn't hurt me. I know this because I trust you, Inu Yasha."

She allowed him to rise up this time to look at her. "Kagome, you amaze me." She smiled as she stroked his cheek. He frowned as she shivered slightly. "Come on, let's get you back before you catch a cold." He helped her stand and handed her clothes back to her.

She watched her hanyou dress beside her in the moonlight, his silver hair glowing. "Inu Yasha?"

"Hmm?" He pulled on his jeans without looking up.

"I don't think we should tell Mom about us being here, I mean our older selves." She began to pull on her own clothes.

He glanced at her as he pulled his t-shirt over his head. "Why?"

"Because what if something happens and we're not…" She sighed. "I just don't think it's a good idea."

He took her in his arms at the sense of her uncertainty. "Everything will be fine." He lifted her chin and smirked at her. "Besides I won't let anything happen to you."

She smiled warmly. "I know you won't." She hugged him fiercely before picking up the towels and stuffing them into the bag. He whisked her into his arms, stepped out of the concave hollow, and pushed off the ground. They landed softly and he gently set her on her feet.

"Come on, aite. You must be cold." He wrapped an arm around her waist and they began walking back to the hotel. It really wasn't that far Kagome realized, though it seemed like forever to get to the hideaway.

"I think we'll have to remember that place. Do you suppose its there in the past?" She cuddled deeper into his side.

"I don't know." He smirked. "We can go look when we get back."

Kagome smiled. "I think I'd like that."

It was almost eleven by the time the couple made their way into the suite. Iki and Sota were still up and they glanced at the couple, whose hair was still damp from their frolic in the waves.

Iki tilted her head at them. "I was beginning to wonder where you two were. You left several hours ago with Shippo."

"Sorry, Mom, we decided to go for a swim before coming back." Kagome swung her bag into view.

Iki lifted a brow. "At night?"

"Yep." Inu Yasha interjected and took Kagome's hand to lead her into the bedroom. Iki opened her mouth to question them once more.

Kagome waved a hand at her as they disappeared into the bedroom. "I'm going to shower and go to bed. See you in the morning." She closed the door behind them with a sight of relief. She turned to smile at her mate. "Thanks, all we need is her being nosey." She gave a small laugh.

Inu Yasha smirked. "And you're never nosey?" Kagome feigned innocence and it made him want to laugh. "You're the last one to talk about being nosey."

Kagome folded her arms and went into a playful pout, accented by a good imitation of Inu Yasha's infamous "Feh."

"You're cute when you're pouting." He chuckled and pecked her cheek before he moved off into the bathroom to shower.

Kagome chuckled a little as well when he disappeared. "I learned from the best."

&&&&&

Kagome stretched lavishly from her place on the couch. Inu Yasha glanced up at her from where his head rested in her lap. The rest of him was sprawled across the small sofa haphazardly. He returned his gaze to the television with a slight sigh. He could tell his beautiful mate was bored. They really hadn't done much this morning. With Kagome's friends gone and Shippo nowhere to be found, things had wound down some.

"Kagome, dear, are you going to the bachelorette party?" Iki asked from the kitchen.

Kagome squirmed. "No. Do you really think I'd go to Shina's bachelorette party?"

Inu Yasha growled at the woman's name. Iki sighed. "No, I suppose not. She did send you an invitation though. Maybe she is trying to make up with you." Kagome frowned, completely unconvinced. "Fushigi also sent Inu Yasha an invitation to the bachelor party."

Kagome's frown deepened. "That's not a good idea either."

"Shouldn't Inu Yasha decide that?" Iki pressed. She still wanted her daughter to participate in family events. And now Inu Yasha was family too, so he was equally responsible for participating. "Do you want to go, Inu Yasha?"

Inu Yasha finally sat up. He looked from one woman to the other, finally settling on Kagome. "What's a batch-lore party?"

Kagome opened her mouth to respond but the answer came from her mother. "It's a party that the men in this time attend before they marry. It's like a last chance for the groom to hang with his friends as a single man."

Inu Yasha frowned. "Can Kagome come?"

"No, it's only for men." Iki affirmed. Kagome nearly smirked, knowing her mate's next reaction.

"If Kagome can't come, then no." He folded his arms defiantly.

Iki sighed. "Fine, but you two need to go find something to do."

"Huh?" Kagome blinked at her mother for a moment.

"You two have been moping around here all morning." Kagome found herself being drug off the couch and shoved toward the door. "Go find something to do already!" Iki pushed her daughter through the door and Inu Yasha followed after her. "Now shoo!"

For the second time since their arrival Kagome found herself staring at the closed suite door. "Okay, I don't have any idea what that was about." She turned to gaze at her beloved. He just shrugged in response.

"Come on. I'm hungry." He said and took her hand.

"But I don't have any money, it's in the suite." Kagome protested though she didn't struggle.

"Feh, who needs money? I'll just follow my nose. Besides the day I can't provide for my woman is the day I die."

Kagome blushed slightly at the comment, but then chuckled. "Your woman, huh?" He sounded ridiculously like Kouga at that moment and she wanted to laugh.

"Feh, yeah, my woman, my mate, my Kagome." He turned his head to smirk at her over his shoulder. "Just let that mangy wolf try to say that now. I'll rip his head off." Kagome just smiled and shook her head. That would be an interesting reunion in and of itself.

Inu Yasha pushed open the stairwell door. They paused on the landing and Kagome gave him a quizzical look. "Why are we going this way?"

"Its better sneak up on your prey." He smirked and crouched down. "Hop on."

She shrugged and climbed on his back. Oh, how she had missed this. It felt like forever since she'd ridden on his back. She buried her nose in his hair, drawing in his masculine musk, and closed her eyes as he began to hop from platform to platform with little effort.

He chuckled lightly when he landed on the last platform and Kagome didn't let go. "Did you enjoy the ride that much?"

She hesitantly slid from his back and smiled. "You have no idea how much I miss that."

He smirked and made a mental note to take her out for a run along the beach at night, when no one could see them. "Come on, koi. Let's get something to eat." He turned to narrow his eyes at the door.

Kagome laughed. "You act like your going to actually have to hunt it down and kill it."

He snorted but took her hand in his. "Stay close." Kagome couldn't help the giggle. Her hanyou sounded like he was going into battle. Inu Yasha chose to ignore her as he pushed open the stairwell door and stepped into the alcove beside the lobby.

A gaggle of five giggling girls came around the far corner into the alcove to get on the elevators. "Do you think the gowns have arrived yet?" one asked.

"Yep, has anyone seen Shina's gown yet?" another asked.

"No, but we all know its going to be beautiful." One commented.

"And expensive." Another interjected.

"Oh, and I bet the wedding is going to be gorgeous!" The fifth shrieked.

"Feh." Inu Yasha snorted as he began to move past them with an arm locked around Kagome's waist. The sound drew the girls' attention and they ogled the handsome man with silver hair. Kagome shot them glares which none seemed to catch on to.

"What's a handsome guy like you doing with a girl like that?" One piped up. She scrutinized Kagome's clothes with an arrogant gaze.

Inu Yasha tightened his grip on his miko and growled, before pushing through them to emerge in the lobby. The five girls watched him march away with his arm still locked around the young woman's waist. They all burst into chatter again after a few seconds, commenting on his firm backside and complaining that he already seemed attached.

Inu Yasha and Kagome ignored them as they moved toward the main meeting hall. "That must have been Shina's bridesmaids."

He growled. "I don't care who the hell they are, they can't talk to you like that."

Kagome smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, giving him a tight squeeze. "Don't worry about them. I won't." Inu Yasha pulled them from the main passage into a small hall. He removed his cap, revealing his rotating dog ears. Kagome opened her mouth to comment again, but his finger landed on her lips. He smirked and kissed her forehead. Never had she quieted that fast before.

He lifted his head, listening intently and sniffing. Kagome stepped around him to peek through the porthole window of the single door in the hall. She couldn't see anyone, but it was obvious they'd found another entrance to one of the kitchens. She glanced up at her hanyou for confirmation.

He nodded. "There ain't anyone in there."

Kagome was a little more cautious. "Are you sure?"

He frowned. "Did you see anyone?"

She shook her head. "No, but-"

"Then I'm sure. Come on." He pushed open the kitchen door.

Kagome sighed and followed. They both paused and looked around for a moment. This kitchen was obviously used only by hotel staff, because it was much larger than the one her family had borrowed and this one had different plates of food arranged on the counter covered with glass lids. Kagome half squealed when she spotted one plate. "Cupcakes!" Kagome ran over to the plate, but paused before lifting the lid.

Inu Yasha sidled up beside her. "What's wrong? Are they bad or something?"

"Do you think this is such a good idea? It's stealing, isn't it?"

He frowned. "Not really, that guy at the desk gave your mom all those free meal tickets, right?" She nodded. "So, we'll just throw away of two or three of them and call it a meal."

Kagome lightened up a little. "But that isn't the same thing. We-"

Inu Yasha clamped a hand over her mouth and before she could protest he was dragging her to the ground behind the island's counter. Kagome glared daggers at him for a moment, before she heard two voices enter.

"Is everything ready for the Higurashi parties?" an older male's voice said.

"Yes, everything's been prepared. We just need to put the finishing touches on some of the food." A younger man retorted.

"Better make sure everything is absolutely perfect. That bunch is so high and mighty that they'd throw a tantrum if it isn't just right." The older man countered.

The sound of a cupboard door opening and closing came from across the room. "You can say that again. It almost feels like they think they're royalty or something." The younger man voiced as the pair moved away again.

"Royal pains, maybe." The two men laughed as their voices faded.

Inu Yasha kept his hand over Kagome's mouth for another second, listening intently, before releasing her. She took a deep breath. "That was close."

"Feh." Inu Yasha glanced around them at the prepared foods on the counter tops. "So, all this food is for your cousin?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

He grinned. "Well, now you can't feel guilty about eating it. It'd serve that bitch right if we ate all of it."

Kagome opened her mouth to protest his language, but found herself laughing instead. "You're right it would."

The two sat on the kitchen floor for a while eating portions of nearly every platter made for the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Kagome introduced him to caviar, which didn't go over very well. Inu Yasha thought it was way too salty. In retribution he smeared icing on her nose playfully and she retorted by shoving a whole cupcake in his mouth. All in all they were stuffed by the time they left.

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A/N: Hope you liked this chapter. I thought of making it longer but decided against it. This seemed like the easiest place to break it. So, don't forget to review! More to come, stayed tuned.

Aite: means partner, mate, companion

Zealous: means enthusiastic