Chapter 15

"Ok, Sango, that's far enough. Will you explain 'marking' to me now?" Miroku sat down on a nearby log and waited for Sango's explanation.

"Well, 'marking' is a way for youkai to tell if someone is taken. If someone isn't marked, they're available. It's also a way to see who is mated with who, since the sharing of blood occurs, it lets other youkai know who they belong to." Sango took a seat next to the monk as they both watched Shippo and Kirara play with a feather they had found.

Miroku crossed his arms and closed his eyes as he thought. "I see....but what did Rouyakan mean by Kagome being unclaimed and ripe. And how is Inuyasha supposed to mark her?"

"I think he meant that Kagome was single, a virgin and ready to have children. As for Inuyasha marking Kagome....its part of the first mating ritual. From what I was taught, the different youkai species have different ways of marking, but with most of the carnivorous species, it's a bite mark. It's usually made during the first mating and this is where the blood is shared." Sango sighed before continuing on. "When marked, it's their claim to the person. Kind of like writing your name on your favorite toy. The marking is permanent and no youkai will go against it." She sighed again as she thought about her friend. 'Why do I feel jealous of Kagome....because she found a guy that loves her? I only wish that-'"EEEEHHHHKKKKK!"

**SSLLLAAAAPPPPP**

~******~

Dusk was just settling in when the two hanyous found shelter for the night. It was a very small cave, only eight feet or so deep. They had nearly missed the cave due to the many bushes and overgrowth covering the entrance. Inuyasha left the plant life up so they would have more privacy later. After entering the cave, Kagome quickly went rummaging through her back pack and pulled out her flashlight.

"I'll go find some firewood. I noticed a hot spring a few yards away, why don't you get your bath stuff ready for when I return." With that said, Inuyasha left the cave, leaving Kagome to dive through her bag alone.

Kagome looked at her oversized bag then to the caves entrance. The bushes outside were tinted oranges and reds as the sun slipped behind the mountains, causing darkness to spread across the land. She continued to stare out of the cave as she thought. 'Is tonight really the night that I give myself to Inuyasha and visa versa. Is this the night that we become mates...husband and wife?' Kagome smiled at her train of thought then went over and started to sift through her backpack.

Inuyasha chose this time to return. The sight that greeted him was humorous at the least. Kagome was leaning over her bag and was buried up to her waist. Her butt was in the air and her tail stood straight up for balance. Inuyasha had to bite his lower lip to keep from laughing. He silently walked up to her, as he passed by, he flipped up her skirt then continued on into the back of the cave.

As Kagome swam through her bag she felt Inuyasha's presence behind her. 'And here I am with my butt in the air.....well I hope he's getting an eye full. Ah....ha!' Just as she had found her bath stuff, she felt a hand brush her backside for a second before her skirt was flipped upward. Kagome quickly returned to her sitting position and glared at the retreating figure of silver and red. "Inu....ya....sha!" She half yelled, half scolded him.

"What? I'll get to see more then that in a little bit." Inuyasha didn't look at her as he was trying to hide his blush. After depositing the wood at the back of the cave, he returned to Kagome's side. He stared down at her flushed, angry face and extended his hand to help her up.

After Kagome was standing, she stared into the amber eyes that reflected her own. "Inuyasha.....you might want to be careful....You're getting as bad as Miroku." She gave his nose a gentle flick then turned and left the cave.

Inuyasha was dumbfounded as he watched his soon to be mate saunter out of the cave, her tail slightly in the air. He scratched an ear out of confusion then started to follow her scent toward the hot spring. With each step he took toward the pool, something in her scent was becoming stronger. 'What is that in her scent....it's kind of sweet....Is she getting excited?' Inuyasha's eye widened at his discovery. 'Is she excited about this? Gods, I hope so....because....this is permanent.' He looked up at the quickly darkening sky and said a quick, silent prayer. 'Gods, please let her want me. I want her so much, I don't know if I can handle rejection from her. Please!' Inuyasha's attention shifted at eh sound of splashing water. He walked out from behind the bushes and spied Kagome, already up to her waist in the spring with her back to him. After composing himself he stripped out of his clothes, fumbling a few times with the ties. Inuyasha stood on the bank staring at Kagome's back, where her tail connected. The black fur parted in two, stretching around her ribs and up towards her breast, but stopped, coming to a point just below them. He gulped then took a deep breath and stepped into the warm water.