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Chapter Seven

A Good Coaxing Never Hurt Anyone

The young Miko girl tossed and turned in her sleep causing Inuyasha wake from his wonderful experiences with Kagome. He flew to her side; she looked as though she was having a nightmare.

"Kagome…? You okay, kid?" Inuyasha grabbed her shoulder, shaking her from her nightmare.

"Inuyasha…?" There were tears in her eyes. "I was soo scared…You died and …and…I was soo scared!" She flew into his arms; he was shocked by this, but did all he could to make her calm down.

"It's okay, I'm here and I'm fine! I'll protect you, okay…? You can sleep with me if you like, okay…?" The little girl sucked on her lip, wiped her eyes, and nodded. "Okay," He picked her up and returned to his spot on the other side of the room, holding her up to his shoulder, rubbing her back comfortingly. "Are you okay now, can you sleep like this?" She nodded again. "Alright, well goodnight again, then." He kissed the top of her head, and she fell asleep again. This time, she had sweet dreams. She didn't know why, but she felt like she knew him, enough where she loved him.

Inuyasha was left again to think, this time with his love. He knew she was still there, her could feel her presence. 'You still there, right?'

'Yeah, that was really sweet, what you did just now.'

'Aw, shuddap! I had to get the kid to stop crying!'

'Remember, I can still read your thoughts, and I know that's a lie… You're really good with kids, y' know that?'

'Thanks…I guess.'

'Wanna return to our dream?' The flirty ness was evident in her voice, she missed him, and he could tell. He pitied her…but he didn't know what else to do to make this better for her. It must be terrible to witness what was going on with her body like a third party. Why hadn't he experienced the same thing?

'Sure.' He returned the flirty ness, figuring this would make her a little happier, but he was careful not to think that, he knew she could still hear her thoughts.

'Let's go then!' Inuyasha fell right to sleep, hopeful of what would happen this time. He re-awoke on another river edge; this one was much more beautiful. Lilies floating on the water, cherry blossoms on the tree branches, soft breezes, warm sun set, and flowing seas of grass on a nearby hill side. Inuyasha turned to see Kagome in a red knee length, spaghetti strap dress.

'Hell-lo there!' Inuyasha's jaw was almost touching the ground.

'I thought you'd like this dress, my mom and I saw it at a store once, she told me to buy it , but I didn't think I'd have any reason to wear it, I mean, I rarely ever go on dates and I …' Inuyasha stopped her in her tracks. He went over to her and kissed her in mid-sentence. After he finished, she blushed and donned a shocked look on her face. 'What was that for?'

'Sorry, I couldn't help myself.' He couldn't look at her, with the way she asked that, he thought he had done something wrong.

'Who said you could…stop.' Her last word caused him to look up in amazement. She walked over to him, put her arms around his waist, and kissed him, completely returning the favor.

'Wow! That was nice and unexpected!' Both their faces were red. Kagome pulled him down to the ground.

They both laid there staring at the sky for a while. Thinking about it each other and all of the time they had spent together. It wasn't an eerie silence, it was warm and comforting. It was nice for both of them to just be there…together. 'I'm probably going to have to get up soon and find Nanita.'

'Don't get hurt. I always my fault when you get hurt, it's always because you're protecting me, or saving me, or whatever.' She snuggled closer to him, draped her arm over him and rested her head on his chest.

'I won't, don't you worry! I'll be fine.' He put his arm around her and pulled her closer.

'I know… Are you going to bring the girl along with you?'

'I'm not sure, I mean, I don't want her to get hurt, but if we need her there to change her back to you… I don't know. I think I probably will, though.'

'Will you stay with me… forever?' She looked up at him longingly.

'As long as you'll let me. Or as long as possible.' He looked at the sky.

'Are you still going to become a full demon?'

'I don't know. I don't want to hurt you… but I still would like to be a full demon.' His gaze broke from the sky and fell to the ground.

'I'm sorry. I ruined our moment. But if it matters, I love just as you are, I wouldn't change a thing if I had the choice! You're strong, brave, caring,…' She stopped and kissed him. 'It's time for you to wake up, Inuyasha. I'll be with you all day, if you need help, ask yourself, and I'll help however I can!'

'No! Wait!' Too late, He was too awake to fall back to sleep.

He looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. "Hey, time to wake up, okay…?" She stirred and glared at the wall like it was its fault she had to wake up.

"Hmm…Oh, okay. Are we going back to your home today?" She had an excited look in her face.

"If your mom will let you come."

"Who were you talking to last night?" Inuyasha became beet red.

"What do you mean?"

"You were talking to someone in your sleep."

"Oh, her… she's my girlfriend." 'Is that okay to say, Kagome?'

'That's more than okay!'

"Do I get to meet her?"

"No."

"Why not?" She pouted; crossing her arms, glared, and stick out her bottom lip.

'What the hell do I say!' The panic was evident in his voice.

'Um…She's out of town, she's on vacation, she doesn't live around here… I don't know!'

"She's… she doesn't live around here."

"Is she died?"

'In a sense.'

'Thanks…idiot, very mature.'

"No, she'll just be out of town for a while."

"You know, I haven't seen you smile once! I've seen you mad, I've seen you exasperated, confused, worried, and even sad. But not happy, once!"

Inuyasha laughed, hard. "I'm not generally one to walk around smiling happily and laughing."

"But you laughed just know and you're smiling!"

"Because I find you funny." Inuyasha set her down and stood to walk out of the room, but was stopped by a small hand grabbing his hand.

"Where are you going?"

"To ask your mom if you can go back with me."

"Yea!" She bounced up and followed him, but he picked her up and put her on his back, piggyback style, when they came to the stairs. They found Mrs. Higurashi in the kitchen, cooking ramen for Inuyasha when he woke.

"Hi guys! Want some breakfast? I have your favorite, Inuyasha….Ramen!" She held up the pot for proof.

"Cool!...Um, Mrs. Higurashi, can Kagome go to the feudal era with me?" He donned the puppy-dog face instantly.

"Well, Inuyasha, she is just a little girl." Inuyasha stood and whispered to her after she had said that, so as not to alarm the little girl of the subject of their conversation.

"But there may be a chance to change her back there! I can't change her back here, not without the damn time witch, and I highly doubt that you want me to bring Nanita here!" Inuyasha hissed into her ear.

"I'll let you take her if you both help me clean the house. We have to do a good very good job!"

"Why?"

"Because I can't think of a better proposition." She handed Inuyasha a mop, a broom, and a vacuum. "Better get started!" She handed Kagome a cloth and a can of dusting material.

Inuyasha had the Living room clean in a half hour. The first fifteen minutes were spent cursing at the vacuum and fighting the urge to run away. Kagome had everything done in fifteen minutes. She sat in the living room watching Inuyasha. They periodically spent their time sticking their tongues out at each other. Inuyasha could hear Kagome laughing in his head.

Once they were both finished, they went to find Mrs. Higurashi. She had packed clothes for Kagome, food, medical supplies, and other miscellaneous thing. She walked the out to the well, but was met by Kagome's friends.