One month later…

"We should meet more often," Izayoi smiled into her drink. "It doesn't feel like we get together as much lately."

"I imagine you both have busier lives than me," Michiru countered. "Any time I get to spend with either of you is fine with me."

Inukimi leaned forward on the table with her elbows. "Things in the sea aren't as busy as you might expect, Michiru. We do have obligations, yes, but I think as our children have gotten older, there is less and less need to be present."

"Both of your sons are being delegated to take on Toga's responsibilities?" Michiru frowned at the thought. Kagome had seemed so happy this last month, but if Inuyasha was required to take on more, that would likely pull him away from her. She couldn't imagine the reactions that would bring.

Izayoi shook her head quickly. "Oh no! Toga will continue to lead our realm, but with things such as foreign relations and the like, Sesshomaru has been the one to take on those tasks. Inuyasha…"

"He doesn't care for the superficial floundering," Inukimi grinned. She knew Izayoi couldn't – or wouldn't – find the right words to describe her son's preference for his standing in merfolk society. "In short, he's more comfortable not being acknowledged as having rank over his friends, and would rather spend his time doing something constructive."

"There, that's it. Thank you Inukimi."

Michiru laughed. This was nice, being able to have breakfast with her friends. Keiichi had taken Souta out fishing and Daisuke was taking on an extra shift at the diner because one of the cooks had to leave for a family emergency. And since Kagome had her own house now, the house was pretty empty. She knew her daughter was still getting settled, finding ways to make the house hers, and with the peak of tourism on the island, she had a feeling that most nights were unproductive. She recalled the early days of her marriage and how neither she nor Daisuke had the energy to unpack boxes after long days at work.

"What do you think about Inuyasha spending so much time with Kagome, Izayoi?" she asked suddenly. "With everything happening lately I should have asked sooner…"

Inukimi turned her gaze towards the other woman. "Yes, I'm quite curious to hear this as well."

"Inuyasha is an adult," Izayoi shrugged. "I can't keep him from doing anything. I do feel that it's strange that he's spent some nights in an unwed maiden's home, but I also know that things are different now on the island. Kagome was the one that offered him the invitation, and if I've learned anything about your daughter Michiru, it's that she doesn't do anything without a lot of thought."

"He's a good boy," Michiru smiled. "I trust him."

"Now that that's settled," Inukimi lifted her cup to her lips, blowing on the steam of the coffee to cool it. "When do you two suppose that we'll be hearing about a wedding?" At the sputtering and laughter, she frowned. "What's your problem? Surely you two have thought about this?"

"I'm sorry, have you met my son?" Izayoi wiped the stray tear that had fallen down her cheek from laughing so hard. "It took him years to figure out he liked Kagome! I'll have hair as white as Toga's by the time he even plucks up the courage!"

Inukimi looked to Michiru, who shrugged. "Kagome's just as bad," she replied. "I know there's still times that she falls back into her old thoughts. Just the other week when we were talking she told me that she's still amazed that Inuyasha likes her."

"That's a bother," Inukimi pouted. "Both of your children are a piece of work, I hope you know." Of course that went without saying, but she couldn't help but feel slighted on behalf of the two mothers. It was obvious that was the direction the pair were headed in. Why they couldn't get past this weird phase and move to the next was frustrating.

It had been too long since they had had a celebration, in her opinion.


"Kagome…have you met Inuyasha's friends, Miroku and Shippo?" Sango and Kagome were the only two waitresses on call since lunch, which didn't leave much time to really talk until one or the other went on break. Now that the diner had closed for the day, they could speak more freely as they cleaned the last of the tables.

"I've spoken to them a couple times," Kagome said carefully. She had to be mindful of their secret after all. Since their first meeting, she had talked with them only a handful of times, but she'd heard from Inuyasha that they frequented the diner. Miroku more often than Shippo, and suddenly she knew why. "Why do you ask?"

"I was wondering what you thought of them, that's all."

"You mean Miroku," Kagome bit her lip to hide the grin. She knew Shippo was a few years younger than Inuyasha, but she had a feeling Miroku was roughly their age.

Sango crossed her arms and stared out the window. "It's nothing like that," she insisted. "I was only asking about his character. Is he a good person-"

"Alright, alright." Kagome slid into the opposite side of the booth Sango sat in, setting the wash basin on the table between them. "From what Inuyasha's told me, Miroku has done a lot of work with his family. He's very nice, and though Inuyasha wouldn't say it out loud, I get the feeling he's a loyal friend."

"That doesn't sound so bad. Why wouldn't he say it?"

Kagome shrugged. "Maybe Miroku's the kind of guy who won't let you hear the end of it?" She stood up and collected the bin, ready to be done and go home. "I also know that he's single. Just putting it out there," she added with a laugh.

Ten minutes later, Sango's car was pulling out of the parking lot. She'd insisted that she give Kagome a ride home, since they'd spent the day on their feet, and she didn't like the idea of her friend biking home after dark. 'At least not without Inuyasha being with her.' "So what's the deal with you two?" she asked, not needing to elaborate on who. "Are you two living together now, or is this some randomized sleepover schedule?"

"That…okay first of all – why is this the first thing you ask?"

"Okay how about this – have you gotten him in your bed yet? Have you two played doctor? Find the surprise in the Cracker Jack boxers-"

"Oh. My. God." Kagome groaned, hiding her face. "You've spent too much time around Eri."

"Well if you'd answer the question I wouldn't find new ways to ask it." Sango glanced sideways to see Kagome's face a brilliant shade of pink.

"No, we have not done anything but kiss. Between our work, moving, and unpacking, there's not been a lot of time to really think about anything else." Might as well plough on and tell her everything. "Inuyasha stays over, mostly when it's too late to head home. I've told him that he's welcome to stay whenever; that's why he has his own room. Since he's doing more work in the area, it only made sense to-"

"To…what?"

"N-nothing."

"No – what were you about to say, Kagome?"

"To…get a copy of the house keys made for him," she said in a rush. Somehow, saying it out loud sounded a lot more serious than it really was, but maybe it was because she was telling her friend instead of her mother. Michiru had even suggested it once she got settled in. Inuyasha had been surprised, but Kagome knew that that little gesture meant a lot to him.

Sango's eyebrows rose, but she deigned to comment. If it had been her, the whole idea seemed kind of soon, but she was an outsider looking in on the situation. They had been a couple for only a few months at best, yet she knew that they had seen each other at their best and worst growing up, so it didn't seem weird to Kagome to take that step. 'I wouldn't be surprised if they did do something soon. The tourist season is winding down. Kagome won't have to pull double shifts, and I don't know what Inuyasha does, but I can't see him staying busy all the time…'

As soon as the car pulled to a stop in the driveway, Kagome got out and pulled her bike from the back seat. "Thanks for the ride, Sango. I'm gonna have to see about getting me a car now, I think," she laughed.

"Unless Inuyasha comes and gets you every night," Sango pointed out. "It's no problem, by the way. If you want to look around once things get settled, just let me know and I'll take you to the place where I got this one."

Kagome waved at her friend once more as the car backed out. She knew that since she was farther away from the diner, the bike wasn't as practical. 'For now, it'll do,' she thought, pushing it into the shed behind the house. A car wouldn't be a bad idea. When she lived with her parents, it wasn't necessary because she was within walking distance from most everything. There also wasn't the room for an additional car unless it was parked on the curb, and she thought there was a law against that. Or maybe they were talking about making it one?

She walked into the back door, feeling too lazy to go around to the front of the house. The lights were on, so she knew Inuyasha was over. 'Maybe I ought to start thinking of this place as his too,' she wondered, walking through the hallway and turning to go upstairs. 'Would that be weird? Too soon? I have no idea anymore…'

They had been friends since she was seven years old. They admitted that they liked the other when they were nineteen. A couple months after that he was spending the night at her new house. Kagome knew that there was supposed to be an order these things were done in that was socially acceptable, but part of her really didn't care. Having Inuyasha stay over had been a comfort at first, because she wasn't sure if she'd have been able to sleep alone in a new house. Just knowing that he was there with her – even in another room – made her feel better. He hadn't minded either, she'd learned the first morning after. He said he'd been startled at first, not remembering where he was, but then he had seen her in the kitchen making breakfast. Thinking about that kiss good morning still left her feeling breathless.

Kagome walked into her room and tossed her purse on her bed, peeling her work t-shirt off and tossing it into the hamper. Next came her jeans and socks, leaving her standing in her room in just her bra and panties. She pulled the hair tie loose, shaking her head and sighing at the relief as her hair fell down her back. It was late, but she felt like a quick shower was in order. Kagome rolled her shoulders as she wandered around her room, picking up things she would need. 'I wonder why I haven't heard anything from Inuyasha. Maybe he's taking a nap?' She hadn't seen him in the kitchen as she walked through, and if he'd seen her as she went upstairs he would have said something. She shrugged it off, grabbing a towel and her favorite body wash.

As nice as the house was, there was one downside to the two-story, and that was the one full bathroom upstairs. There was a half bath downstairs, and it was on Kagome's future to-do list of things to take care of. It was horribly cramped, and she felt like it would be better to expand it and make it a full bathroom.

In her musings, Kagome never considered that Inuyasha may have also had the same idea of a quick shower. There had been no water running when she went upstairs, so she hadn't considered it, but when he stepped out of the bathroom in just a towel it clicked. Kagome squealed, dropping her body wash and clean clothes as she tried to unfold her towel and cover herself. Inuyasha had jumped at her squealing, too lost in thought to notice she was in the hallway. The towel around his waist loosened and would have dropped to the floor as well if he hadn't been quick enough.

"Sorry! Sorry!" she yelped, turning her back to Inuyasha and trying to hold the towel closed. 'Note to self – get bigger towels! Or a bathrobe! Probably two would be better-'

"Why are you apologizing? I'm the one that left his clothes in his room," Inuyasha felt like he should have been red from head to foot in that moment. He hadn't heard Kagome come home and thought that since she had taken her bike it would have been a little later. "When did you get in?"

"Ten minutes ago, I think," Kagome replied, staring at her feet. "Sango gave me a ride home cause she didn't like the idea of me biking home in the dark."

"Oh," Inuyasha said. "Right. Sorry, I-"

"Wait, why are you apologizing, Inuyasha?" Kagome turned around again to look at him, forgetting that he was only wearing a towel. She let out an "eep" and blushed again, looking in any direction in the hallway but at him.

"I could have come and got you so you wouldn't have been alone. If I hadn't been distracted I would have realized how late you would be getting out today." He started to slowly move towards his room as he talked, gripping the towel with one hand. How could she not see what he was getting at? "Sango's going to be getting home even later now because I couldn't be bothered to pick up my girlfriend when she's working late."

At that, her eyes met his. Inuyasha now stood next to her in front of their bedroom doors. She couldn't deny that she got a little thrill when he called her his girlfriend. In other company it came naturally, but when they were alone, it wasn't something often said. It wasn't needed. But when he did say it… Kagome's lips curved upwards into a smile. "You've been busy, and it's not getting dark especially early right now. I doubt I'm going to have to work this late very often."

"But-"

"And if I do," she cut him off with a kiss on the cheek. "I'll let you know and you can be my knightly escort home, okay?"

Inuyasha nodded, trying and failing to ignore the fact that his girlfriend was pressed against him in her underwear, and the only thing he had between them was a towel that wouldn't stay put no matter how much he twisted it into a knot. "S-sure. There uh… There should still be hot water for your shower…" Maybe his voice went a pinch higher but he was pretending it didn't happen. There were at least two other matters of concern at that moment, and if she didn't move away soon there'd be a third.

Kagome straightened and stepped back, blushing again. She mumbled her thanks and dashed down the hallway. As soon as the bathroom door shut with a click, Inuyasha let out a relived sigh and went in his room. 'That was too close.' He frowned, letting the towel drop from his hips. The culprit of his frustration stood proud, basically mocking him for his lack of control. 'If Kagome had any idea she'd be through with me for certain.' He knew they had mentioned more back when she first settled into the house and left it at that. But it had only been a few weeks since that talk – if she found out that that had been on his mind even now…

Inuyasha shook his head to clear his thoughts. Kagome didn't need to know that he'd been having dreams about her. Or them. Or how detailed some of those dreams tended to be. Hell no. He'd be damned if he was going to pressure her or try to sway her decision because his smaller brain was giving him ideas.


Two weeks later

As Kagome had predicted, the double shifts weren't very frequent. Tourism was still filling the diner most days, but it was the return of some staff that helped ease the workload. What she hadn't seen coming was Inuyasha coming to get her, even on the days where she hadn't worked late. Her coworkers, Sango especially, loved to tease her about it, but she knew it was all in fun. The women often lamented that they wished their husbands or boyfriends were as attentive as Inuyasha was with her.

That afternoon he'd come to the diner, and when she finished her shift, they'd started back to the house on their bikes. The clouds had been gray all week, and halfway home they had chosen to open up. It had been hard to peddle in the rain, but even harder to steer as they shook from laughing at the misfortune.

Kagome stood under the cover of the back porch, wringing out her hair as Inuyasha closed the shed. She couldn't help but admire how he moved sometimes, and the way the rain plastered his clothes to him was a delightful bonus. He grinned at her as he stepped on the porch, peeling off his shirt and began to twist the water from it.

He'd given her that look again, and she couldn't figure out what it meant. Ever since that night in the hall, there was this particular way he'd look at her that made Kagome's stomach do flips. Oh, she knew what she wanted that look to mean, but that didn't mean she was right. Because as much as she stumbled over her words that first night he stayed over, how could she ever tell him that she'd been thinking about wanting more between them?

She was probably being stupid. Scratch that – she knew she was being stupid. They had agreed to talk with each other about these things. Why was getting up the nerve to talk about these things so difficult? As she took in the sight of his toned chest, she knew the answer to that question too. She was afraid he'd think her inadequate. Another stupid thought to have, but the only mermaids she'd ever met had been Izayoi and Inukimi. Were there higher expectations among the merfolk? Could she even begin to measure up?

Inuyasha knew she was staring, but he could also tell that she was lost in thought. Maybe it was wrong, but he took advantage of her unfocused stare to watch her in turn. Kagome had wrung most of the water from her hair, and it had begun to curl slightly around her shoulders. Her work shirt had become sheer from the downpour, giving him a glimpse of the underwire bra. He bit back a groan, tamping down the idea of suggesting helping her get out of her wet clothes. She hadn't noticed his near slip-up, but if they stood there much longer he was afraid of what he might do. Already he was stepping forward and bending to kiss her. He couldn't help it, nor the groan in his throat as Kagome pressed herself against him. His hands dropped to her waist as the kiss became more heated. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and she leaned into him. Inuyasha wanted to pull her closer, wanted to feel more. Everything about this felt so right, from the way she clung to him to the way her tongue brushed against his. Why was that small voice in his head screaming at him to stop?

A sudden crack of thunder jerked the couple out of their moment, reminding them that it wasn't the best idea to be kissing outside in a storm. Even under a covered porch. They may have been sheltered from the rain, but the cool wind that came next made the young woman in his arms shiver involuntarily. "We should get inside," he swallowed thickly. "Don't want you catching a cold."

"Y-yeah," she breathed, stepping back quickly. Kagome couldn't believe that she had let herself get carried away like that. At least all the times before they had been inside when the kisses turned passionate, but there was something different this time. If the storm hadn't gotten louder, would she have wanted to stop? As Inuyasha opened the door for her, she ducked under his arm and went inside. That was an answer she wasn't ready to think about.

Neither spoke again on the matter, heading to their rooms to change into dry clothes. As they made dinner together, they would sneak glances at the other when they weren't looking. Still, they said nothing. It was a comfortable silence though, filled with small touches and shy smiles. They both knew that something had changed between them on the porch, and maybe it had been a change in the making without their realizing. It wasn't bad, per se, but neither of them could figure out how to speak up about it.

As it turned out, it was Kagome who made the first move, blurting it out abruptly over dinner. They had just sat down at the table with their plates. Neither had taken a bite, and then –

"I love you."

Inuyasha's fork stalled halfway between his plate and his mouth. He'd heard right, right? He must have, because Kagome was blushing profusely and fumbling to explain herself. At the moment she was trying to apologize and tell him that she shouldn't have said that so suddenly, but he wasn't going to let her take it back.

"I love you too, Kagome."

"I…w-what?" She couldn't believe her ears. He'd said it too. Kagome was pretty sure she was grinning like an idiot, but so was he. It wasn't how she intended to tell him, and she sure as hell hadn't wanted to blurt it out. Oh god, had she screamed it at him from across the table? She wasn't sure anymore. He'd looked so startled at first she may as well have. She had simply looked across the table at him as she sat down and before she knew it the words were out. She'd dared to hope that they were on the same page, and now she knew for certain.

Weird how admitting that you were in love with your best friend and learning he returned those feelings had taken a lot of weight off the mind.


"Kagome! Kagome! Wake up!"

She felt herself being shaken as she woke up, struggling to get her eyes to focus. "Inu…yasha?" She squinted at the clock on her bedside table. 3:30 am. "What's wrong?" She could barely see him in the dark, save for the small amount of moonlight that filtered in through her half-drawn curtains.

"You don't remember? Jeez, Kagome – you were screaming for me. Were you having a nightmare?"

As her eyes began to adjust to the darkness, the dream had come back to her full force. It was about as far from a nightmare as one could be, and she dearly hoped that she hadn't said anything out loud aside from Inuyasha's name. Kagome was very thankful that he hadn't thought to turn the light on when he came in, because the more she thought about that dream the more she was positive she was blushing all the way to her toes. "Uh…I'm not…sure exactly?"

"Well whatever it was didn't get you, did it?" Inuyasha perched on the edge of her bed, and she couldn't help but notice that he was only in boxers.

"No," she said, trying not to sound disappointed. The dream hadn't gotten that far, but he had certainly been doing something to make her scream. "Sorry I woke you up, Inuyasha."

He shrugged it off. "As long as you're okay."

Kagome sighed, looking at the clock again. She wasn't ready to get up this early in the day, but she did have the day off from work, so sleeping in a little longer than normal couldn't hurt. "Hey," she said softly, looking down at her hands, "Will you…stay with me? For a bit?" She was hoping he'd interpret that as an excuse because of the "dream" and not an excuse just to have him near in just his boxers. Of course not. She wasn't some high-strung teenager. Wait –

"Are you sure?"

"Uh huh." It wasn't like they hadn't fallen asleep next to each other on the couch before. How would sleeping next to each other in the same bed be any different? Kagome felt the mattress shift as Inuyasha slid under the covers, and she moved back to give him some room. She hadn't gotten far before he threw an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"That wasn't a nightmare you had, was it?" He felt her stiffen and had to bite the inside of his cheek so he wouldn't laugh. Inuyasha knew good and well that scream he heard wasn't one of terror. It did make him wonder what it was in her dream that made her call his name like that though.

'No way. There's no way he knows!' "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you do," he grinned, pulling her closer. He could feel her breath come out in puffs against his collarbone, but she wouldn't look at him.

"I'm pretty sure I'd know if it wasn't a nightmare, Inuyasha," she replied, hoping he'd let the matter drop because it was too early to bullshit her way out of this mess.

Luckily for her he did just that. "Alright then," he conceded, amused at her response. "Good thing I'm here to protect you from those nightmares…" He propped his upper body on his elbow and leaned over her, noting that her breath hitched the closer he got.

"Inuyasha?"

"Mmhm?"

"Wh…" Kagome wanted to ask what he was doing, but the words died on her lips when she saw that look again. In the next moment, his lips were against hers and she forgot why she had wanted to ask in the first place. The kiss was gentle, carefully exploring, but…that wasn't what she needed. Not right then, anyway. Kagome wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss.

Inuyasha groaned as he felt her lips part to grant him access. This wasn't supposed to be happening. All he meant was to kiss her goodnight, not instigate a heated lip lock. But then if he had only meant for it to be innocent, why was his hand caressing her hip? That same hand was now moving her baggy t-shirt up, discovering a nearly bare hip underneath, save for the thin strip of cotton underwear. 'Fuck. This isn't good. It is good but…it's not good. We shouldn't…fuck-!' He let out a deeper groan as his thumb traced the edge of the elastic, and she had pushed against him.

She wasn't pushing him away. She was trying to get closer.

Kagome had felt the bed shift again as Inuyasha moved above her, only breaking the kiss to leave a trail along her jawline to just beneath her ear. He nipped the skin with his teeth and she squirmed, making him chuckle into her neck. He'd learned years ago she was ticklish there, and now he knew that he could get a whole new kind of response out of her. She let out a gasp as she felt his tongue lave the spot before resuming with nips and kisses.

"You like that?" he asked, unsure if he was doing something she might not like.

"Very," she breathed out in a sigh, arching up into him when he did it again. Kagome wasn't satisfied though. Inuyasha was still putting distance between them, and she knew it was because he didn't want to hurt her, but her body was screaming to be close to him. This just wouldn't do. She was vaguely aware of her legs moving to either side of his hips, bending at the knee before her lower body raised up into his.

Inuyasha let out a strangled noise, not expecting to feel her press against him there of all places, and on reflex he ground back against her, pushing her into the mattress when her legs dropped her. She let out a sound that was like music to his ears, but even in his haze-covered brain he was asking if she was alright.

"I'm wonderful," she grinned, curling one of her legs around his hip. Kagome knew without a doubt that he was enjoying this as much as she was.

"And you…you…liked that?" All the blood had left his brain at this point, but Inuyasha waited for her answer, ready to move if she said no. He didn't think she would, given her response to him unintentionally grinding himself into her like that. Still, he wasn't going to keep doing it if she changed her mind.

Kagome shifted underneath him, running her hands down his back. When had he gotten so muscular? How had she not noticed this? Her fingers softly traced the dip in his back, feeling the muscles shift under her touch as they moved to the waistband of his boxers. She bit her lip, not breaking eye contact with him as her hands slipped underneath the fabric and cupped his rear, pulling him against her again. She let out a giggle at the groan that she got from Inuyasha with it. His expression had gone from strained to euphoric as he rocked against her. "What do you think?" she teased.

"That's…how you wanna be, huh." Inuyasha braced his weight on one arm while the other reached down to hold her hip as he ground against her. He had no idea what he was doing, but it felt good and she agreed. Of course he knew where this was headed, but not having any experience like this meant he was asking her if she liked what he did with each new angle or touch. The hand on her hip moved to pull that leg around his waist as he rolled his hips into her, trying not to whimper as he felt her heat even better now. It just felt so damn good that he didn't want to stop now.

"Yes," she said breathlessly. "Inuyasha…"

His hand on her thigh had moved upwards to her hip again, reaching the t-shirt that had started to bunch up and began to push it upwards. Kagome's hands were moving, tracing his back, sides, and occasionally dipping underneath his boxers again. Inuyasha leaned down and caught her in another kiss, unable to contain the moans as they rocked against each other. His hand continued to push the t-shirt up, and he could feel her bare stomach press along his each time she arched upwards. His fingertips felt something softer than the t-shirt, and his brain was just about to acknowledge what it was when she broke the kiss.

"Phone…"

"…What?"

Dazed, they both looked to the bedside table where her cellphone sat, its screen lit up.