The perfect date

by lmgurl92

Inuyasha Takashi has it all, he's handsome, smart, rich, and charming, everything Kagome needs to make her perfect older sister completely green with jealousy. He'd be the perfect date to her sister's wedding, but there's only one catch He's her boss...

26. The perks of being perfect

Chapter 26: The perks of being perfect

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

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She stared at him silently as they drove. His jaw was clenched, with every bump and lump on the trail his features would grow more and more tense. He'd begin shaking his head then he'd place an aggravated hand to his temple. He was pissed, he kept telling himself to relax. It was a jeep, it was made for this type of travel, but that didn't seem to calm him in the slightest. Her family's pick up drove just a few spaces in front of them. The truck was filled with crates of different brownish to grayish goop concoctions. He kept trying to leave a bigger gap between them. He didn't want any of it falling all over his car.

It proved to be an impossible task though. He couldn't just allow the car too much space. The trail was covered in trees on either side and filled with other growths. Sometimes they'd drive just a few paces ahead and he'd almost lose them. There were so many other confusing unpaved roads, sometimes he could see the makings of the town as they approached closer, but then they'd get off the trail and drive directly on the forest grounds. It didn't make sense, where the hell did they live? How big was their town? He was impelled with so many questions, but at the moment he was too pissed about his car to truly contemplate any of them.

"You know what…" Kagome whispered from her spot. He didn't even spare her a look. He just silently cursed as he drove over an actual log. "After this you'll never have to drive on these trails again. Promise….we can drive the long route back on the Shikon Valley trail." She said and he knew she was trying to comfort him, but it wasn't working. "And if we need to go into town we'll just take a wagon…or…" she hesitated for a moment stealing yet another glimpse at him. He was listening but he wasn't looking at her, he wasn't smiling, he had absolutely no encouraging expression on his handsome face. "Do you know how to ride a horse…a lot of people take horses?" She asked and he turned to give her a look. It made her slump down in her seat.

"Kagome…" He said after a moment. They didn't look like they were getting anywhere close to where they needed to be. He was beginning to realize that. He released a frustrated sigh of air when they went over another rocky hill. "I'm not trying to be rude…you have to believe me when I say this." He said and she turned a bit in her seat to face him. "But where the hell do you come from?" He asked.

She widened her eyes. "I told you already…Jewel…Shikon Jewel…it's a really small town. It's hidden to most people, there's no official roads just this, and some gravel." She said and he nodded but it wasn't what he wanted to hear and she knew it. He wanted more information and she really didn't want to give more. "What else…I mean what more do you want to know?" she asked and he turned around to face her. She was upset, not making eye contact, looking down at the floor of the car.

"Nothing…" he whispered and she looked up. He didn't have to meet her glance to know she had a questioning look on her face. "I don't want to upset you alright. I'm just…my fucking car." He mumbled and she smiled a little. "And horses…I don't….I don't do horses." He admitted and she nodded understanding. He had so many other questions and looking at the road he knew he had the time to ask them. He wanted to know so much more about what he was getting himself into. More about her weird grandfather, he couldn't tell if the man hated him or not. He needed to understand more about her crazy mother. Oh and her younger brother seemed to hate him right off the bat, they haven't even spoken yet. And her town…the whole town kept gawking at him. Kagome pretended not to see it but every time they drove near the town or there was a clearing in the woods he could see them halting what they were doing to stare. What the hell was that? He was so fucking confused, but he'd put it all behind him if it meant that Kagome wasn't upset, embarrassed, or saddened.

"I'll pay for it. Anything that needs to be done when we get back…." She said quickly. He was going to decline the offer, was she crazy? He could never allow that. "It means so much that you're doing this for me…honestly." He furrowed his eyebrows. What the hell did that mean?

"What…" he asked bluntly, maybe he was upset about the damage to his car. Or he was confused as hell about the situation he was in completely. But the word came out harsher than he wanted it to. "What do you mean…?"

She sat forward thinking over her words and realizing exactly what he meant. She didn't mean it like that. Maybe she was just jolted about seeing her mother again. "No that's not what I meant...I mean…It's really nice of you to come down here with me. I needed it. I…my family can be a bit much and I'm glad I didn't come down alone." She said and that seemed to straighten the creases on his forehead. She cursed herself for even saying things the way she did before. She loved Inuyasha; she wasn't her mother or Kikyo. She wasn't using a man for his status or money, why the hell did she phrase things like that?

"Yeah well…no problem," he mumbled "and don't worry about the car Kagome. I'll take care of it when we get back home." He said and she nodded staring ahead. She had her hands resting under her thighs as she sat uncomfortably. She still felt awful about what she said before. It made her feel disgusting. Why would she say that? She had just got back home and already she was turning into that girl. She wasn't shallow, not in the least, and she swore she wasn't going to let this town change her.

"I feel like it's my fault…" she whispered and even between all his apparent frustrations he smiled a bit. He didn't say anything he just gave her that overly handsome smile and her insides melted. "And um…" she stuttered looking forward at her grandfather's pick up. It had lasted him most of his life, he so rarely used it, especially now that he didn't have the farm to deal with. "I uh I love you." She stated and he turned around a little to face her. He tensed a bit at her declaration; it wasn't that he didn't feel the same way. He did, but it came out of nowhere.

He smiled slightly. "I know…" he said and he left it at that. He didn't say another word. He didn't reassure her that he felt the same. He just said 'I know…' She had told him before, on the trip, he remembered the first time she admitted it. He was upset with her, on his way to comfort Rin after the dinner mix up. She came into his room and declared it, wanting to know if he was going to walk away and leave when she cared about him so much. He remembered seeing her face filled with tears and so much hurt. The whole thing made him uncomfortable just thinking about it and even though he could feel a close up tree scratch the exterior of his jeep, he brought an arm over bringing her in close. She didn't fight him. She actually moved in letting his arm wrap around her shoulders.

She didn't say anything, she didn't even try to voice it, but she was slightly upset. Actually she was mad. Why was it she was always the only one to admit it? Inuyasha had said a million and one times how much he 'cared' for her but he had never once said he 'loved' her. She wasn't the type to pick a fight about things like that. The only reason she admitted it now was because she didn't want him thinking at any moment during this trip. No matter what her mother said, grandfather, or sister. No matter what anyone in her family said, she didn't want him thinking that she didn't love him. Because she did, so much so actually, but for the first time she sort of wanted to hear it back. Not some stupid 'I know…'

He leaned in slightly kissing her at the top of her head. She tried to smile but instead she subconsciously rolled her eyes. It was very uncharacteristic of her but with everything that was happening at the moment. Seeing her family, her mother, she was starting to put that wall up. She needed him to help keep it down. Why couldn't he just fucking say it? They continued driving for a moment, none of them said a word, and even though the car jumped relentlessly he never once clenched his jaw or got extremely upset. Not when he had so much more to be happy about. They finally got to a massive hill that led up to a few old-style wooden homes. He looked around at them, cattle walked around, and he realized them to actually be farm houses. Complete with massive land, sheds, fences the nine yards. The only unusual things were the old fashion wagons that some of the houses had parked in front, but a few also had pickups. It didn't take him long to realize that the people of Kagome's town were farmers. Obviously none of them lived in the town actually, they just lived on the brink of it, on top of hills. They woke up early and drove down or rode a horse drawn wagon to their shops opening them up for the day.

He was starting to get that feeling again, like he had just entered another century. Like, even if he changed his mind at that moment. Turned his jeep around and headed home he'd still be in another time period entirely. He continued to stare forward trying not to let any of that faze him. The trees let up and he could see beautiful valleys out in the distance surrounding each side of the town. The sun was going down and the sky was turning the most gorgeous shades of gold, deep orange, and dark blue. He stared at the horizon longer before looking down at her. She was staring forward. She didn't seem to have a thought on her mind. The silence hadn't gotten awkward yet but he had this unusual need to say something reassuring to her. Why? He had no idea. It just came out of nowhere. Maybe it had something to do with her declaration moments ago. Maybe he should have told her the same. He did love her, more than she knew but…he just couldn't. "It was nice though…" he said out of nowhere and he rolled his eyes at his own stupidity.

"What was…" she asked innocently. She rose up a bit backing away from him.

"Uh…you know…the offering to pay for the car." He said and she raised both her eyebrows crossing her arms. "It was a nice gesture."

"It's no problem." She mumbled staring as the houses pass by. None of them had changed since her childhood and although they brought back nostalgia she didn't linger on the idea for too long. She had other things on her mind entirely.

"So you're mom and this engagement party?" He asked and Kagome just sighed throwing a fake smile his way. "We'll have to take pictures for Rin."

"Well…" she turned to face the other direction. "If we're lucky there won't be an engagement party." She mumbled and he had no idea what she meant by that. He knew she wasn't really happy about the idea of one. Why? He had no idea. He thought maybe she was just being modest.

"Why not?" He asked and she turned around to face him. She took in his overly handsome face. The actual questioning glance he threw her way. The light of the sunset hit him so beautifully and even though she was slightly upset with him she let that anger relinquish. So what he didn't say he loved her, why did she care? She was unbelievably lucky regardless didn't she know that?

"Well because my older sister…uh she's…she always gets her way. She won't be happy if she doesn't get a party, and even angrier if it's given to someone else." Kagome clarified and he just nodded.

"Yeah but…this older sister of yours, she sounds like a brat no offense." He said and Kagome just laughed again and he turned around to catch her smile. It always warmed his heart. "I mean three different themed engagement parties. She can't give one away?" Kagome just shook her head. "Well I think it'll be fun...I mean I'll get to meet more of your town…your friends and um…it'll help fool people." He joked and she widened her smile. "Especially your grandfather"

"What about him?" She asked and he turned a bit.

"I don't know…he's like one of those guys… you know, from the movies who always knows when some one's lying. I mean we're not lying just because we're not really engaged. It's just…it's a…like a little white lie."

Kagome scrunched up her face in confusion then stared forward. She didn't really understand what he was getting at. She shrugged. "He's a really superstitious person…he questions everything trust me. He's always been like that." He nodded but why did he still have his doubts? "Anyway…it's not a lie that anyone can ever find out. You know unless you told someone." She said and he turned around quickly to face her. When he saw that unexpected sly sexy grin on her face he knew automatically she was joking. "Did you tell someone?" She asked.

"Of course not…who would I tell? I was pretty sure you squealed." He whispered his words almost like the whole thing was a conspiracy. He stuck an eyebrow up playfully and turned to face her. His face at that moment had her stomach twisting and turning. He should have known better than to turn such a sinfully handsome expression on any one person. "Who did you tell?" He asked and she smiled looking down at her lap. "Don't hold it in…I have ways of getting the truth." His voice turned unbelievably deep and sinister and for some reason the voice change coupled with his expression had her blushing. Her fingers interlocked in nervousness and he lifted both eyebrows. "What's wrong?" He asked and she just smiled and shook her head. "Did you really tell someone?" Instantly his voice and expression went back to normal. When could she have gotten the chance to tell anyone? Maybe when he was in the back with her grandfather?

"No…no of course not." She said quickly and he stared forward at the unpaved residential trail. It wasn't as bad as the last one. The car still jumped a bit but the ride was smoother. No uncomfortable tree trunks lying in the path, rocks, or uneven terrain.

"Well you're acting weird…" he bluntly said. He let a bit of humor outline his voice so she didn't take offense. To his surprise though she did the exact opposite, she smiled a little and turned in her seat to face him.

"I liked your mobster voice." She said frankly and he grinned. She didn't admit that his overly handsome face was what really had her on edge. Sometimes she couldn't believe how unusually handsome one man could be.

"Thank you…I've been working on it."

"Why?" She asked suddenly. "You have a play coming up?" his smile widened at her question. He had no idea, but sometimes even his smile heated her up. She could be so overly affected by him; she did a good job at hiding it. Well at least she hoped she did.

He shook his head. "Sshh you'll ruin the surprise." He said and it surprised him when she actually began genuinely laughing. He didn't think the statement would be that funny. He of course glanced her way wanting to see that smile again. "You know…" he said getting her attention. "For being from this town…you guys live extremely far from it." He stated changing the topic completely. She raised her eyebrows looking around. It was getting late and they were still driving down the road. She already knew her grandfather would be upset. Once he dropped them off he'd have to go back with Shippo to collect the money, pass out the crates of cattle food, and other farm equipment. She wondered if he would ask Inuyasha to help, she hoped not, it was a task that would take a few hours and she didn't really want to be away from him for that along. Also she didn't want to subject him to her grandfather and the towns people for that long either.

"Oh…yeah…sort of, everyone does. No one really lives in town." She said confirming his thoughts from earlier. "Well except for some of my cousins…second cousins. My mom's cousin owns an inn, she lives in town."

"Oh…yay…look at that…more family to meet." He said and Kagome smiled. "I can't wait for this party."

"Simmer down the sarcasm" she said teasingly before sitting forward again. "The car trails are always the longest. It takes half the time going through town with a horse or a second hand truck. It'll get scratched up but it's really the shortest route."

"Ah…see I knew there was a catch."

She looked forward for a moment taking in her grandfather's trunk in front of them. "We're almost there though, about five minutes away." He sat up relieved yet nervous at what he'd find when those five minutes were up. "So uh… when we get there you don't think you'll be heading back out with my brother and grandfather right?" she asked and he turned around to face her.

"I don't see why I would." He said. He was the one who helped load the crates in the back of the truck. He didn't want to have to head out and unload them again. He had driven all day and he very much wanted to bring his bags in, take a shower, finally wash the smell of fortified manure off of him. Kagome didn't seem to notice but he felt as if he was covered in it. After all that, he could also use a nap, food, he was starving and maybe afterwards… he turned slightly to look at her again. She was making that face she sometimes did when she was deep in thought. He found it to be so ridiculously adorable, and he didn't have any qualms with admitting that after his bath, food, nap, he would definitely have some strength for sex. Although he had this sneaking suspicion that sex wasn't going to be something that would happen for awhile. He could suck that up. He did need a shower and food though. "You guys own a farm right?" He asked looking around at the other stereotypical farmhouses and barns to his left. She nodded and smiled. "So you guys are like the farm types that cook a lot? Because I got to say…I'm starving."

"I'm sure my mom's cooking something up right now. She never leaves a meal unserved." She said and that made him smile.

"Maybe we'll take one bag in tonight…worry about the rest tomorrow morning. I'm exhausted."

"Yeah…uh I don't see why not. I could bring some in though while you rest." He glanced at her yet again. She didn't notice this time though. He just stared before scoffing and shaking his head a bit. When she heard the little sneer she looked up at him. He was just driving staring forward again his face was completely expressionless. "Anything wrong…"

"Nope…just thinking, but don't worry about the bags seriously Kagome. I'll uh…I'll get them tonight actually."

"No…why would you, you said you were tired."

"I know, but I'd rather get them then leave them for you." He stated and suddenly everything went silent. The pickup in front slowed down taking a steep left into a pathway. He turned to soak in where he'd be staying for the next few weeks. Kagome's childhood home was fairly large with an insane amount of acres. It was a standard looking split level home, white, with a wraparound porch. They had an abrasive amount of yellow flowers surrounding the house. She had a few barns in the back but no cattle from what he could see. As they drove further up he could make things out better, the rocking chairs sitting stereotypically in the front, the welcome mat, the regal homey white steps that led up to the front door. There was a massive tree sitting in the front of the crisp green lawn beside the trail. Her childhood home all and all was gorgeous, just like any picture book, roomy yet homey. He wondered what the effects of living in a home like this were. He didn't have the luxury. He grew up in a massive estate with just four other people. The grounds were large but not cozy by any means, quite the opposite actually. They drove down the path and passed the house towards the back.

Kagome seemed so split. She wanted to continue to survey her never changing childhood home but she also wanted to confront Inuyasha about his latest statement. It struck her as odd and she sat tense in her seat. Was he upset with her? They made it to the back noticing several barns and sheds. He wasn't an animal person so the idea of confronting any made his stomach turn. To his surprise even though the obvious fences were in place there were absolutely no animals anywhere. No pigs, No chickens, no cows…no nothing. There were horses though; he could see that, they actually had several. In the middle of the land was a massive horse stable.

Her younger brother parked the truck behind the house and he followed suit. "What's that supposed to mean?" She asked but he was too busy looking around the back. They had a truly amazing deck and patio; two French doors up above led into the deck, and off to the corner stairs spiraled down to meet a very large stone patio. Around the patio were flowers, actually the whole acre was immersed in flowers. It looked like they now used the land for recreational gardening. Only a small percentage of it still cultivated produce. There were large trees flowing with yellow flowers everywhere. One of them housed a cliché tree house while the other a tire swing.

"Wow…" he mumbled looking around. He felt like he had just walked into a spring holiday card.

Kagome was of course less impressed. She undid her seat belt and turned around to face him. "Are you upset with me…because I said I'd bring the bags in?" she asked and he tore his eyes from the amazing scenery to look down at her. He could actually for the first time understand why someone would be pining to have a wedding here. In the distance he could make out some sort of body of water. Everything was simplicity at its best, the type of lemonade sticky summer days a normal child who went to a normal high school had. He sort of grew extremely envious all of a sudden; he didn't have that type of childhood. He was bred to own a business, his father saw to it. He was homeschooled by prestigious tutors all his youth. He graduated from High school early then shipped off to one of the best colleges in the country where he graduated early as well. He didn't have summer breaks his tutoring was all year long. "Inuyasha…" she said and he looked down, "did you hear me…"

"Did I what…?" he asked being knocked out of his daze suddenly. She stared at him for a moment before sighing in frustration. He realized he upset her and he lifted both his eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…" she said rolling her eyes. She didn't usually show that type of aggravation towards him. "Everything was perfectly fine then you got mad at me because I offered to unload the car." She crossed her arms and realization hit him automatically. He thought the whole exchange was trivial now, but he could remember what had him at odds. He didn't consider himself chauvinistic by any means but sometimes as a guy, he did have certain things he reserved for himself in a relationship. Kagome didn't seem to understand that. She was always so quick to grab her wallet or help with bags. He just…he felt like that was his job. And it didn't matter how many times he hinted she never seemed to get it. At the moment he didn't care about any of that. It was completely out of his mind and he didn't want her being upset by it either.

"Don't worry about it." He said reassuringly but she still seemed doubtful. He smiled a bit to help drive his point and that seem to relieve her. He was going to say something. Kiss her maybe, it felt like forever since he'd done it, but before he could there was a loud knock on his side of the door. He was so focused on her he hadn't even sensed anyone. He turned quickly spotting the man from earlier. He had a sly smile on his lips when he saw the alarm on Inuyasha's face.

He was the only one in Kagome's family that had any sort of resemblance to her. He hadn't when he was younger. He used to be just as straight haired and tan as the rest of their family, but it looked like now with age he had gotten the best of both worlds. He still had that beautiful sun kissed complexion, the brownish green color to his eyes, but the shape was more like Kagome's, round and wide. His hair was also considerably wavier. He looked down at his sister as soon as the window opened.

"Hey Kaggy grandpa and I are leaving. We have to sell supplies. He says he can't help you and Takashi with your bags right now." He said and Inuyasha made a look at his newest nick name.

"It's Inuyasha…" he said but the boy didn't spare him a look.

"He wants you to close the stable before you go in. Mom left it opened." He was about to turn to leave but something he said had Kagome's eyes widening. She called out after him.

"Oh wait…hey how's Buyo…he's still alive right?" She asked and Souta rolled his eyes but smiled a bit.

"Yeah Kagome he's fine. Still won't let anyone ride him but you. Mom wants to sell him. He's in the stable, just lock up afterwards." With that he was off leaving Kagome with a huge smile on her face. Inuyasha turned to face her and he didn't even have to ask she already knew.

"He's my horse." She said quickly. And he nodded figuring as much. "Do you want to see him? He's gorgeous…"

"Nope…" He interrupted and she widened her eyes in shock. "Sorry I'm not an animal person. I want to go ahead and um….unload this jeep. He said unbuckling his seatbelt. He spared her one last glance seeing her slight disappointment and he sighed. He leaned in close. "I mean…I guess we could see him real quick." She turned to face him surprised at how close he was, but he figured as much. He had come in close to comfort her, but she had other plans. She draped her arms around him and crashed lips against his. The notion was supposed to be extremely innocent but the abrupt nature heated something in him. He brought a hand to frame her face and the other resting slightly on her hip.

He leaned in closer wanting to deepen the kiss. His hand slipping from her hip to the top of her thigh but before he could do more she backed away. He watched in a daze as she grabbed her knap sack and went for the door. She jumped out feeling the slight cool breeze. It was a lot warmer in her town than in the city. It just helped differentiate her childhood from her life now. She was grateful for that, but on the same token it helped bring a burst of nostalgia and memories, some good but others not so much.

He climbed out of the jeep unlocking the trunk and going towards it. He lifted the hood spotting her as she turned in circles taking in her family's gorgeous property. "This place is wow…really well kept." He said and she turned around to face him a beautiful bright smile on her face. Why was she blessing him with such a beautiful grin, he had no idea. He just soaked it in grinning slightly himself.

"Yup it never changes…even with Souta off in college and Kikyo gone." She shook her head almost in disbelief. "Okay let's go see Buyo." He sighed a bit at the suggestion but kept his grin in place. Of course now he understood why she was so happy. He thought about it for a moment realizing quickly that if that horse could really make her smile that wide then it was worth seeing.

The sun had gone down completely, but it still had to be a cool seventy degrees. He pulled some bags from the back of the jeep and set them down. "Sure…" he mumbled and she grabbed hold of his hand. It wasn't something she typically did. Kagome didn't really show that sort of emotion and neither did he. All her affection was extremely genuine. He absolutely loved that about her. All the pet names and hand holding always seemed extremely stereotypical to him. But now as she led him towards a stable of smelly animals, his hand in hers he thought it was one of the most genuine things ever.

They were almost to the stable when someone obnoxiously called down towards them. He turned spotting Kagome's mother from the elevated French doors. She opened them both widely and kept "yoo-hooing" to get their attention. "Kaggy!" she screamed out and Kagome just sighed in aggravation before faking a huge smile and turning.

"Hey momma…" She said her voice masking annoyance.

Her mom walked out of the doors and onto the deck. "What are you guys doing down there?" she asked and Kagome sighed. She still had her hand in Inuyasha's and she had no idea but she was squeezing hard subconsciously. "Trying to sneak away for some hokey pokey?" Her mother asked and Kagome sighed putting a hand over her face. "Well you'll have plenty of time for that later. Come wash up…I made your favorite food for dinner." She leaned on the railing of the deck just before the stairs.

"No mom no…uh…we were just going to say hi to Buyo really quickly." Kagome said and the sentiment seemed to confuse her mom to no ends.

"Honey that's foolish, you just got here. That horse will still be here tomorrow. The sun's gone down…come on. Close the stables and get up here. I'm sure Mr. Takashi is not interested in seeing some horse." With that her mother turned away and went back into the house. Kagome just stood there grinding her teeth for a moment and squeezing down on his hand even tighter.

"Oh shit Kagome…" He said and just like that she realized what she was doing. She released his hand and covered her mouth in shock.

"I'm so sorry." She said and he gave her a feeble smile while cupping his hurt hand with the right. "I didn't mean to I just…"

"No problem really…it doesn't even hurt really." He lied, she had dug her nails into his palm but he put his hand down and pretended all was fine. She walked forward and picked it up a bit looking down at it.

"I'm really sorry…"

"It's not a big deal. Do you still want to see your horse?" He asked and she looked up away from his hand. She was still cupping it ever so gently almost like it was fragile goods. The whole display warmed him to no ends but he didn't show it.

"I can't…" she said looking back down. She let her fingers trace some of the crease in his open palm. He could see her disappointment without even looking at her face. Whenever she got upset she'd always subconsciously touch his person. Usually to fix his clothes but now she seemed so extremely infatuated with his hands. "My mom says to lock up…" she sighed and looked past him towards the back of her house.

"Well…" He said taking his hand from hers. "We can sneak in really quickly. I'll keep watch, she won't even notice…I'll do it…I mean if it's bothering you this much…" he put both hands into the pockets of his pants. Kagome smiled slightly. She knew he didn't even want to see Buyo but it meant a lot to her that he'd agree to something like that for her. He obviously didn't know her mother very well though.

"You're like…" she hesitated for a moment "the best boyfriend in the whole world." She mumbled innocently. It was such a simple childlike thing to say. Like something a teenage girl would say to her first ever boyfriend. It made him smile, especially after taking in the vibrant shade of red her cheeks turned.

"Fiancé you mean." He joked and she looked up at that. "So go ahead…say hi to your horse." He shrugged and she just took a deep sigh for a moment. He didn't understand why she was so upset now but he waited for her to fill him in.

"I can't." she simply stated turning around to make it to the huge stable doors. He watched as she slid them shut and hoisted a huge wooden bar over them. "Mom says wash up so…" she shrugged as if that was final. It was such a weird declaration that slightly caught him off guard. It just reminded him automatically that here in this weird ass town with her weird eccentric family, he was in unknown territory. And even though he found Kagome a bit odd, in an amazingly lovable way, he was beginning to realize that she might just be the most normal out of them all. "Anyway it'll be nice to see him in the morning…ride him a bit. Oh and I can introduce you to him." She said while walking and he let a smile form on his lips. So weird… but if he wasn't running away from her now, even after she just insisted on him meeting a horse, then hell he was never going to run. She had him wrapped around her finger.

"You want me to meet a horse?" He clarified letting her take the lead in front of him. She nodded before ultimately hearing the humor in his voice and realizing what she just said. She was slipping again she turned around to face him.

"I mean…you know see him." She clarified and he just nodded walking forward and wrapping a strong arm around her waist. "Not like meet him…meet him…because obviously you can't talk to a horse. I meant like…Just…see him…"

"I understand…" he said and she took a deep sigh in relief. They continued walking going for the patio and steering to the left to head up the wooden stairs. "You wanted me to talk to a horse…maybe… I don't know about the weather or sports. It's understandable…" He said playfully and she laughed hitting him lightly on his arm. "We could gossip about the other horses…find out what type of carrots would be good for my coat."

"Shut up…" she laughed and he had to sneak that look just to witness her amazing smile. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Kagome I understand entirely. You wanted me to talk to your horse…it's not a big deal. I've been asked to do much weirder things." He teased detaching himself from her and going for the French doors up ahead. He grabbed the handle and twisted it open allowing her to slip in first. He was about to say something else, anything else to keep that perfect smile on her face but his words just fizzled when the aroma from the house hit him. He stood straight allowing Kagome in first.

The doors led into a rather large kitchen. One side divided by a wrap around counter with stools on the outer end. They had a huge farmhouse sink and a window over top. A gas stove with racks hovering over housing several pots and pans. The floors were bright white tiles and everything, just like he would have guessed it, was unimaginably clean. It wasn't up to the standards of Kagome, but clean it still was, immaculate actually. The walls were the brightest coziest cream yellow and to the left side of the room was a rather long dinner picnic table. Instead of the standard bench they had nice wooden cushioned chairs and a cream table cloth draped over. There were family photos hanging every which way and little knick knacks that looked like it could be from their shop. He took a moment to look around seeing family photos by the lake.

"Momma it smells…delicious." Kagome said as soon as they entered. She looked around, nothing had changed, but that didn't surprise her in the least. She was more surprised that her mom seemed to really be making one of her favorite dinners.

"Its beef pot pie just like you like it. And lucky for you I picked some great tomatoes from the garden, woke up early and bought the best head of lettuce at the town market." Kagome widened her eyes smiling already knowing what that meant. "So of course I had to make your favorite salad."

"Tomato basil…" she said and her mom just nodded.

"Of course and the soup to go with it…we'll have it as an appetizer…I hope you guys are hungry." She sang dramatically and Kagome just bit down on her lip to hide happiness. She glanced up at Inuyasha who was just looking around taking the place in. "Where's your grandpa and Souta?" She asked and Kagome turned away from him to glance back at her mom. She seemed to be cutting something up on the other side of the kitchen.

She automatically went back to child mode and immediately before even stepping off the welcome mat she crouched down to unzip her boots. "They went to make some rounds." She said and it made her mother nod. "They have quite a load so they won't be back for awhile."

"Of course they do…we'll have a late dinner then…I'm not entirely done anyway. I'm just wondering so they can help bring in your luggage." She said and that snapped Inuyasha out of his trance. He turned to face the woman then back down at Kagome. She was taking off her boots on the floor. "Why don't you two go wash up and we'll worry about the bags later." Her mom said.

"No…I'll get them." Inuyasha said and that seemed to surprise Kagome's mother but only for a split second. It was like it was an absurd notion for him to want to get his own bags.

"Really are you sure…I know you're not used to things like that." She said and before he could say anything politely. Kagome stood up interrupting.

"Don't be ridiculous mom…he's the one who put them in the trunk. Climbed much more flights of stairs too…" She said and her mom nodded looking over at Inuyasha. He had his eyes narrowed slightly making him excessively handsome. She smiled her approval before glancing back down at the food.

"Of course he did…you don't get a body like that by lying around. Right Mr. Takashi?" She asked and Kagome closed her eyes letting the embarrassment immerse her.

"Mom…" she said…

And Inuyasha tried to search his mind for a charming retort but for the first time he couldn't come up with one. He was starting to realize that Kagome's mother could be so damn blunt but indirect at the same time. Sometimes he knew exactly what she was getting at. Sometimes she hid her meanings in well thought out innuendos. "What honey it's a compliment. I'm sure he gets them all the time." He said and Kagome put a hand to her face. "Be honest Mr. Takashi…" she said turning to face him with a rather sharp knife in her hands.

He looked down at it for a moment then back up at her. "How many times daily do you get called handsome?" She asked and he broke out in a fake polite grin. "Come on…we're practically family now?" she said and he realized very quickly it wasn't a rhetorical question she really wanted to know.

"Wow…uh…no one has ever asked me that before." He honestly said but it shocked him a bit more at how interested she was at the answer.

"You don't have to answer that." Kagome mumbled quickly but her mom shot her a look. "Mom…he doesn't have to answer that. He doesn't keep track of things like that."

With that her mother turned around with a shrug continuing to chop something up. "Hmm probably…people say it so often right?" She said and Kagome seemed relieved that her mother was leaving the subject alone. "You know I never told anyone this but I always found you the most handsome out of your father and brother…" she stated casually and he widened his eyes. "I was always like…the middle Takashi…he's the one…"

"Mom…please…stop." Kagome begged and he awkwardly put a hand to the back of his head scratching. He had no idea what to do at the moment. He couldn't even form words; everything had just gotten so awkward. Kagome looked up at him so extremely mortified, all she could do was whisper a short sorry. He gave her a feeble smile. Why did he have a feeling that those silent apologies were going to be in abundance for the next few weeks?

"Kagome it's a compliment…damn…" Her mother said making Inuyasha take a deep breath.

"Well uh…thanks for it anyway…the compliment." He said and she looked up from her cutting board to smile. "I better get those bags." He looked from her to Kagome quickly. She looked like she wanted to come with him but her shoes were off and he had a feeling her mother had more to say. It would benefit them both if she took one for the team and stood her ground. She looked Longley off after him as he climbed down the deck stairs and to his jeep.

"He is so handsome…" her mother said out of nowhere. "It should be a crime…I swear, for one family of men to be so rich and so handsome." Kagome sighed watching as he pulled bags from the back. "The women…they must flock…how ever did you manage to get past all of those women? I must have taught you well…you were stubborn but…"

"Mom…please…" Kagome interrupted putting a hand out. The notion shocked her mom. It wasn't something Kagome did in the past, talking back or speaking up for herself. "I didn't con him…I love him." She admitted and her mom only nodded.

"Of course you do…that's not what I meant. We don't con people...would you like to set the table?" Her mother asked and she grunted a bit going forward to get the plates and silverware. "So after we left the shop…" her mom said changing the subject completely. She had a knack for switching from topic to trivial topic. "I made some calls. Telling people about the change of party theme, everyone seemed extremely pleased. I mean everyone…your little visit is enacting quite the buzz in town." Kagome gave her mom a slight grin while looking back at Inuyasha. He had successfully taken all the bags out and he was moving them to the patio. She silently wished that her hometown wouldn't interfere with their relationship. Just the possiblity made her want to run back home, her heart literally hurt. It just felt like she made the worst mistake bringing him.

"Did you um…have you called Kikyo yet?" She asked and that had her mom freezing. Kagome didn't like the look of it. "Mom…"

"Kaggy I'm going to be so busy for the rest of the week…you know rearranging party themes and cooking. Oh and I want to get new decorations, and catering. I really want this party to be special." Kagome wasn't fazed though. "I thought maybe you could call her."

"Mom I can't call Kikyo…she'll kill me."

"Come on don't you think you're being a bit dramatic. Kill…" She said but those exact words were so quite obviously the reasons she hadn't called her own daughter yet. Kikyo was a force to be reckoned with. There was absolutely no saying no to her. She had to have her way…always. "I mean when push comes to shove if no one tells her she'll just be surprised." Her mother said with a shrug. None of them said anything. Kagome just let the nervous butterflies swarm around the pit of her belly. "Now what's worse Kaggy? A surprise angry Kikyo or a moderately angry Kikyo?" Her mother asked.

"There's no moderate switch for her mom…but I'll call." She mumbled letting her mother manipulate her yet again. She took a break from chopping up veggies to clap her hands in happiness.

"Thank you…sweetie really…I can't wait to have all three of my kids together at home…at last." She said. Kagome just bit down on her lip as she put the last plate around the table. She moved to the side surveying her work. The added pressure of having to call her sister to tell about the shift in party plans had her obsessively stressed. She knick picked the plate settings adjusting cups by only centimeters. Subconsciously every time she moved them she'd count off in threes. It wouldn't be long till she began seeing nonexistent spots. Her mom looked up seeing one of her daughters oldest habits re-emerge. She was about to say something when the French doors opened yet again. As soon as they did Kagome's stress disappeared immediately.

She turned around the happiest smile on her face. Inuyasha hadn't even noticed it. He had a few bags in his hands and he was setting them down near him. Her mom saw the whole exchange silently, the wide grin on her daughter's face. The fact that she could so easily stop her cleaning and perfecting compulsion just by the simple appearance of someone, it put a few things in perspective. He looked straight forward and as soon as he took her in he smiled genuinely too. "I'm going back out to get the rest. I'm just going to leave these here."

"Let me come." She said quickly. "I could help…I'm all done here." He was about to say something but her mother interfered.

"Kagome that's a man's job." She said bluntly and Kagome's smile faltered. "If you're looking for something to do you can help me cook." She turned around with that, she didn't even try to argue back she just sighed and turned to assist her mom with something. Inuyasha watched her, that vibrant grin he loved so much disappearing instantly, it saddened him a bit but what could he do? He just stared longer then turned back around to head out the door. She glanced at him as he left. "Kagome…you shouldn't be so eager…" Her mother whispered and that earned her a perplexed look from her youngest daughter. "I always taught you to never get too invested. Love is all fine and dandy but you still need to keep a firm grip."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She mumbled while going towards the chopping board. None of them said anything for awhile but every now and then she'd turn around and look over at him. He had gathered all the bags and left them on the patio near the stairs. He climbed up and set them near the door. When she was all done chopping she walked over to the French doors opening them for him and going for a few of the bags. She brought them inside and rested them near the door. He climbed up with the last few and smiled when he saw her.

"Thank you kindly…" he said with a playful grin and she simply returned it. He could tell just by the way she positioned herself she wanted him to bow down and kiss her. He had no idea why she was so enthused at the moment. He wasn't even gone for that long, but he bent down, bags still in hand, and met her lips.

"Is that all the bags…?" Her mother interrupted quickly. It jolted Kagome a bit but she stood forward. "That was fast…nice work Takashi…we might just steal you for the shop." She joked and he shot her one of his handsome grins. "Okay…maybe we have some time to give you a quick tour of the house."

"Oh mom I can do that." Kagome said quickly but her mom wasn't of course having it. She just left the kitchen easily and headed out a rather large archway. Kagome turned away from him following her mother almost like a lost puppy. He didn't comment on it though, he just followed behind her down a long hall with light caramel wooden floors. There was a door to their left and she opened it quickly.

"This is a bathroom…" She said curtly and Inuyasha looked over at it. In better terms it was a powder room painted a light lime green. It had only a toilet and a sink, she passed it quickly closing the door and heading down the hall. It ended with an open railing and two diversions. He made it to the end looking down the railing. Just like a common tri-level-home she had a few short staggered stairs. One leading off to the right, the other positioned lower and leading to the left, he could see the front double doors below him. There wasn't a true foyer but she made do with a welcome mat and a couple planted trees on both side of the door. The first word that came to mind when taking it in was charming or maybe comforting. All the wood on the floors, steps, and railings had been nicely polished and buffed. Not one corner of the house seemed neglected.

"She's a beaut really…gorgeous home." He said and that seemed to please Kagome's mother to no end. She turned to face him and he kept his own grin in place. "It's a split level right…and the wood, its original?" she just nodded fascinated that he had noticed. "You've taken great care of her honestly. I know she must be fairly old."

"Yes…in my family for years…we're always remodeling though. Originally it had only four rooms…we've made some attachments over the years." She said and he nodded.

"I saw the kitchen…that's granite you have on the counters right?" She nodded pleased and for the first time Kagome understood exactly what Rin meant when she said Inuyasha was the take home type. She had always thought she meant physically, but it was more than that. Everything about him was made to impress, his looks, his humor, his wit, the charm he put out at times. He could literally make a person melt.

"Well it's no Takashi manor but I like to think it has its own regalness." Her mother said and Kagome's slight smile faltered.

"Mom…"

"No…no it's fine…" he interrupted quickly telling her he didn't find the comment insulting in the least. "It's a gorgeous home it has charm. The home I grew up in…" he shook his head. "This definitely has a regal quality. You should be very proud."

Kagome bit her lip in slight happiness as her mother's smile only widened and she turned to the side. "On the left…is the dining room." She said and he steered himself to the left side spotting a spotless dining area. It had a large long woodened table in the middle. A chandelier on the top and many matching chairs on either side of it, there were glass doors on its far left connecting it to the kitchen. The room was complete with a fire place a small sitting area adjacent to a piano and pictures of the family dressed only in formal attire. It was a room that so very obviously wasn't meant to be touched or enjoyed. It was only used for special occasions. He knew about rooms like that, he had had several in his childhood home. She moved away and pointed to her right. "This is the living room…" she said walking towards it. He kept his hands on the railing turning to see a large room with a television mounted on the wall. A sofa set, coffee table, and a small office area on the corner with just a computer, desk, and chair. It didn't have much else and she quickly passed it going down a short set of steps.

"So these are the rooms." She walked forward showing him a hall with just adjacent doors. On the far end was a window leading out to the side yard. She walked down the hall. "This is Souta's bedroom…we won't go in there it's a mess." She said although he had his strange feeling that no one in Kagome's family were just curtly a mess. What she considered a mess the rest of the world considered moderate clutter. They seemed to all be extremely tidy people. "This is Kikyo's old bedroom…" Her mother said approaching a door with faded stickers on it and one of those 'girls rule' signs. She didn't open it either which relieved Kagome a bit. "Over here is the girl's bathroom…" she showed a door across from her oldest daughter's bedroom. She walked up a bit and smiled over at Inuyasha. "And this of course is Kaggy's bedroom…would you like to see it."

"No…" Kagome said quickly going to block it. What was once just a charming fake smile on his handsome face turned into a genuine sly one. "Let's move on…you said you added more rooms?" Kagome asked quickly and her mom playfully rolled her eyes.

"Oh Kaggy don't be absurd…I left it exactly the same for you. I've also dusted off a bit…it'll bring back memories. Besides don't you think Mr. Takashi wants to know what his future wife's interest were when she was a child?" She asked.

"Yes…" he said quickly taking Kagome by surprise. "I'd love nothing more than to see your interests…come on." He had a playful grin on his face but her mother took it as genuine. She so easily pushed her daughter out of the way and opened the door. Kagome closed her eyes embarrassed instantly. He walked forward as her mother turned on the lights and immersed the bedroom in sky blue. His grin increased in size as he looked around, the ceilings had clouds painted on it, one whole side of the room was dedicated to books. Her bed was small a single and the sheets were lavender. She had a desk to the corner a small little desktop computer and more books. Everything was immaculate, even cleaner than the rest of the house. It just made him shake his head a bit. On the side wall she had a quote painted on the wall. He narrowed his eyes and mumbled it to himself.

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." He stared at the quote for a moment then turned slightly to look at her. She was still extremely embarrassed but she had no idea how much content he felt at being in her childhood room. So much of her was in it, so much of what made her who she was. The books, the clouds, and the stars that lined the ceilings, the canopy curtains that matched the bed spread on her window. He walked further in and looked around on top of her bed. She had stuff animals, just a couple, all horses. He laughed a little. "Weird…" He whispered slightly and he was about to turn and give her a smile when he saw the only poster in her bedroom. His grin faltered and she knew it would. He walked closer to it reading in fine print.

"Dream big at…" and then in larger letters, "Takashi industries…" the poster in itself was all black, but the words were simple and white. He didn't know exactly what to think. So she had been dreaming ever since she was a little girl about working for his father's company. How come that didn't shock him in the least?

"Wasn't she the cutest…had her nose in the books always." Her mother said after awhile. He woke from his daze and looked up. "When she wasn't cleaning she was reading…always reading." She said and he gave her a small smile and nodded. "Okay let me show you the master." He let her leave for a moment taking one last look at the room and walking out. Kagome waited near the door but didn't make eye contact. When he walked out he didn't look either, he had no idea why? He wasn't upset, he just…he was feeling at odds. She wrapped her arms around his forearm as he walked forward and he just placed an arm around her waist. Why were things so tense all of a sudden? "So this was the original master bedroom." Her mother said going up towards the window and taking a left down a very short hall. It led to double doors but she made no move to open it. "We use it as a guest room now. It's far too big for just me…but I think you guys will fit well in it." She said and Kagome widened her eyes. "We had another master bedroom made downstairs for my father and a little secluded room for myself. Down stairs is really where we made all the advancements. I think you'll be shocked to see…"

"Mom…wait…you mean you're giving Inuyasha this guest room right?" She asked moving away from him. "I'll sleep in my own room." The feelings she had been having earlier after he saw her room just disappeared. They were being replaced with those really warm intense butterflies that came when she thought of being completely alone with him. This was the one thing she could count on when it came to her family... to her mother. She was extremely old fashion. People didn't sleep together in the same room unless they were married.

"Yeah…I'm giving you guys the bedroom." She said easily and Kagome's eyes widened again in size. Inuyasha stood behind putting his hands in his pockets. He had his mind on other things, thinking of her room, the quote, his father's internship poster. He should have been able to let it go. So what Kagome had always been motivated in her pursuits since she was younger. He had known that already. You didn't get to work on the main floor of a multimillion dollar corporation at 23 without motivation. He just…why did he feel like there were other things behind her determination, he let the thought swarm by before laughing it off. Was he crazy...did he really think for a second that Kagome could be… he couldn't even let the thought sink in completely it was so absurd. He walked forward letting it go entirely. He actually felt a bit guilty for playing with the idea at all. He let himself focus on the altercation at hand. He didn't know exactly what was going on, but Kagome seemed confused about her mother's attentions.

"Really you don't usually do that…" Kagome laughed nervously when she felt Inuyasha walk up behind her. "You usually say you can only sleep in the same room if you're married."

"Oh Kagome don't be crazy. I know what goes on in the city…" she said winking at Inuyasha slightly. He looked away feeling the awkwardness. "I only said that so your sister could stop bringing home random guys. A lot of good that did…she just moved out completely." Her mother mumbled referring to the first time her oldest daughter moved out. She would always move right back in after a couple months of partying.

"But…" Kagome said in a panic and he sensed it immediately. She was trying to hide it by laughing but it wasn't working. "Where…uh…where will Kikyo and Suikotsu sleep?" She asked and her mother put a hand up rolling her eyes.

"They can stay in Kikyo's room. She's always had the second biggest bedroom in the house anyhow. It's not as if they have to share bathrooms with anyone." Her mother said and she quickly left, back down the hall wanting to show Inuyasha more. Kagome could feel her stomach flip as her mind ran through what that meant. For a whole month she'd be living, showering, getting dressed, and sleeping in the same room with him. She couldn't do that! All her fears came back hard. She gulped as her mother put a hand to Inuyasha's bicep to steer him forward. "Oh wow…I can feel the muscles…how often do you work out?" She asked suddenly as she guided him further down the hall. He wanted to hesitate, turn around and wait for her. Read her facial expression. Understand what had her so on edge, but he couldn't, he had to make polite conversation. He decided he'd just meet up with her later.

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26

RIN POV earlier that day

She pulled on her boots before going for her purse. She couldn't believe she did that. She couldn't believe she gave in, and he all but left her in his room. Alone, her stomach was in knots. She felt like she made a humongous mistake. She wasn't supposed to sleep with him, not yet anyway. She left his gigantic bedroom. She already knew her hair was a mess so she undid it letting the waves fall down her shoulders. As soon as she made it to the hall she was confused as to where to go. She walked forward more wondering towards a door to the left. It was in that instance she noticed the staircase leading to the bottom floor.

"Duh Rin how could you forget about the double staircase…" She mumbled to herself while quickly running down one side of them. Her plan was to silently leave. Hopefully Sesshomaru was on the other side of his humongous condo and wouldn't notice her. She had to keep him guessing, maybe ignore one of his calls till Saturday. She was crazily trying to pull out tricks from her hat when she made it towards the kitchen. He was sitting in his breakfast nook a mug on his side looking down at a folder. He lifted up a page from it but ultimately put it down when he sensed her.

"Hey…" He said and it jolted her completely. She yelped a bit forcing a handsome mocking smirk to form at his lips. "I scared you?" He asked but he had no questioning tone to his voice. It was more of a mock, as if he wanted to know how a thing like that could happen. "I was about to head back upstairs…check on you. You were out for awhile." He looked her over, she was fully dressed again her purse in hand. It didn't take him long to realize what she was planning on doing. "You're leaving?"

"Yeah uh…" she searched her mind for something to say. She didn't want to be that girl. The notion kept playing through her head over and over. She had to always stay a few steps ahead of him. She couldn't let him get too bored. She was the type of girl who mentally planned out everything in her mind. But now for the first time she couldn't think of her next move. She was so deathly afraid to just act like herself. There were too many things relying on this relationship alone…she wanted it to work so badly. For her he was it…she didn't want anyone else. It had always been like that since she was little. "I have to…I left Kagome's TV on." She lied and he furrowed his eyebrows. She felt like slapping herself.

"Don't be ridiculous…" He said suddenly and she watched as he took his foot and easily pushed out the seat across from him. "Sit…keep me company."

"Uh…I don't know…" she mumbled turning away to look towards his grand foyer. He looked her over. She looked gorgeous in a wild way. It heated him up again and caused his mind to go through more possible ways to make her stay. He always came up short because if she really wanted to go he'd never be able to voice the right words to make her stay. It didn't matter that those right words were now effortlessly swarming around in his head. "I probably should go, but…I'll see you on Saturday."

"Saturday…" He said as she began walking forward to quickly leave. She was so on edge and he had no idea why. He wanted to bluntly ask but he was searching for ways to comfort her. It just wasn't his forte. Instead all he could comfortably do was look at her and bluntly tell her how he felt. "That's a whole week away…" She hesitated but didn't move any closer to him. "I don't want to have to wait that long to see you… and honestly I don't understand why I should." He moved the seat across from him even more positioning it towards her. "Besides I've been meaning to talk to you."

She stared at the seat for a moment. Of course she couldn't just leave, not when he said things like that. Things like 'I don't want t have to wait that long to see you.' It warmed her to no ends, it proved that he cared for her. She could rest easy, she wasn't in it alone. He didn't just use her for sex. She took a step forward putting her purse down on the table and sitting. He didn't show it on his perfect face but he released a sigh of relief. She pushed herself inward and waited for him to begin. "First tell me…what are you doing for the rest of the day…? He asked and he could see the thought bubbling in her vibrant brown eyes. "Actually the rest of the week?"

"Uh…" she stuttered thinking for a moment before laughing a bit to herself, "nothing…probably watering Kagome's plants." She'd also probably do some shopping but if he was offering to do something with her for the whole week. She was willing to rearrange her schedule, even let Kagome's plants die.

"Really…" he seemed pleased by the notion. "You should stay with me." He stated and she widened her eyes, he loved it when she did that. "I can call in…get an attendant to water them. You can stay right here."

"Uh…" she smiled widely looking down at the table. "I…I can't do that." She said and he waited patiently for her to tell him why that was. "I uh…I can't I have no clothes." He smiled and her heart began thumping ridiculously.

"I don't think you'll need any." He said and that tingling heated feeling came linking up with her already pulsating heart. "Just say yes." He whispered but she didn't say a word, she couldn't. All she could do was nod. He smiled "good it's settled and as for us…" He rose from his seat and headed further into the kitchen. She couldn't see where he was but she was so beside herself with giddy emotions she didn't even care. "I think we can both agree that we're more than just casual at this point. Right?" He asked and he turned to face her wanting to see that look of shock on her face. "Rin…"

She froze…she was freezing. She just sat down and stared forward trying to figure out what to say. He smiled at her reaction going back to what he was doing for a moment. "Are you hungry?" He asked after awhile.

"Did you…are you…you want to be my boyfriend? Are we dating?" She stuttered out of nowhere he didn't say anything. "Do you…is that really what you want…?" She whispered and he paused for a moment walking out towards her end of the kitchen. She had turned in her seat completely to face him in shock. Her demeanor only changed when he failed to confirm her hopes, she seemed depleted. He had no idea why he left her feeling that way for so long.

"Boyfriend…" he whispered after some time. It made her look up. "I don't know about that…but." He returned to his seat. He had a rather large binder in his hands. "If it's the proper word to describe being in a closed relationship with you then… I guess that's…yeah. I'm your boyfriend." He said making her smile return. He opened up the binder going for the numbers to his old apartments. He only hesitated when he felt her staring at him, he didn't look up. Instead he went to the end of the book and grabbed a large velvet booklet. "Why don't you pick something? We'll eat in." He suggested and she grabbed it from him gently looking down for only a moment.

He went back to finding the number. He wanted to call Kagome's apartment, ask them to water her plants but as he looked down other thoughts kept clouding his mind. He couldn't really focus, and he just…he felt like something was changing, shifting. He glanced up at her and he wasn't surprised at all to find the menu opened but her just staring at him. She was so in a trance that when he looked up she didn't even bother to look away. He allowed himself to stare back taking in each one of her facial features…she was so…she was acting so incredibly unusual but he couldn't allow himself to be turned off. Not in the least, not when she was so blatantly adorable in every which way imaginable.

"Are you going to be doing that for long?" He asked while looking back down at the binder. He turned the page for a moment. "The staring I mean…" As soon as he mentioned it she looked down quickly. He couldn't help but smile at the situation. He let the room fall silent, those thoughts kept coming again and he felt like there was more he needed to say. The feelings she enacted in him this morning…he just. He felt like boyfriend didn't really define the relationship he wanted to be in with her… he actually...he wanted more than that.

She kept trying to focus her attention on the menu but she couldn't any longer. She couldn't believe this was happening. This couldn't be happening. She had to be in some sort of dream. She had waited all her life for this day…well she waited all her life for their wedding, but this as well. Things couldn't be working out for her like this, he couldn't see in her the things he saw in all his other gorgeous dates, could he? "I uh…" she said after awhile. It got his attention and he was more than happy to look up at her. "I'm just…I'm in shock. I never thought this would happen." She admitted. He smiled genuinely at her.

"Is it all you ever thought it would be?" He teased and to his surprise she posted a gorgeous smile on her face and nodded.

"You have no idea."

"I'm really happy to hear that." He said while looking back down at his binder. She stared at it and him for a moment before leaning up and closing it. The action shocked him but of course he didn't show the emotion. He just looked up at her and waited for some sort of explanation.

She closed her own menu and just openly smiled. "I've had about a million and one fantasies about this." She stated out of nowhere and he had no idea why, but he humored her. "None of them took place in your apartment's breakfast nook with you looking down at some address book." She said and he moved the binder aside giving her his utmost attention. He absolutely adored the liveliness in her eyes, the way she played up emotion. He didn't possess the quality, and it wasn't something he particularly yearned for in himself. He did realize it was something he enjoyed seeing in her, he got his fill of it every time she came around. Maybe that was the true reason he found it so hard to let her leave?

"Well my apologies…what would you like me to do?" He said and she posted another perfect playful smile on her full lips and sat back in her seat. She crossed her legs slightly mocking deep thought. His heart began beating overtime and he had absolutely no idea why.

She shrugged after awhile. Now that he was hers. Now that he finally wanted her, with what she hoped was the same type of intensity she wanted him. She could let her guard down…she could throw all her planning away. It wasn't really working anyway. The Sesshomaru she had thought she knew wasn't this same guy. He had much more dimensions, much more pieces to his puzzle. The real him was about ten times better than the one she had created anyway so she wasn't too sad to rid him from her memory.

"I don't know…" she admitted. "I just…I want all your attention." He didn't even have a moment to let her words grip at his emotions. He just stared forward watching as she rose from her seat and walked casually over to him. His eyes surveyed her petite form and those stupid scorching emotions took over right away. He had no idea why, but for some reason he couldn't get much of a grip on them. She crouched down to his level and brought her face to his. He let his eyes take in her features and he couldn't help but place a gentle hand to frame her face. He let it linger there for a moment, allowing himself to get lost in those deep brown eyes. He had no idea the array of emotions his undivided attention ripped through her. They were so strong like nothing she had ever felt before. It brought so many hidden emotions to light… she couldn't wait long at all to bring her lips crashing onto his. What should have been a simple kiss turned complicated fast. All he had to do was push forward to meet her lips and she felt herself lose it. She climbed onto his lap, straddling him easily. The position shocked him to no ends. He wasn't used to being dominated at all by a woman. Her arms rested over his shoulders and when she wanted to deepen the kiss she harshly pushed him back against the chair causing her to have the better leverage.

When she ran out of air she backed away taking in his face. It was so strikingly beautiful, his eyes were still closed; his neck was cocked back a bit. The sight caused tingles down her spine. She would have never thought in a million years she could ever make him have that face. She just never thought she'd be enough. He opened his eyes smirking slyly up at her…she was on top, but just like that she was melting again. He could so easily dominate her and she wasn't used to that in a relationship. She stood her ground though even with his hands trailing under her dress and up her bare back. He let his fingers go around to her breast, easily toying with the nipples and erecting them on contact. She pressed herself up against him for a moment before resting her forehead on his shoulders. He let his hand slip down her torso and to her core. As soon as his fingers plunged inward she bucked forward against his shaft. The slight bump gave him this overwhelming urge to just take her, but he had plenty of time for that. He instead stroked her insides making her moan loudly.

"I'm giving you all my attention…" He whispered and she looked up at that putting a hand to cup his chin harshly. He was surprised by the rough gesture. He lifted both eyebrows thinking she'd say something but instead she just harshly pushed his lips to hers. He left his fingers in her but he stopped the strokes. He was actually taken aback by the move. It caused a slight fire in him, he removed his hand to go for his pants but before he could fully she stopped him. "What…" he asked. The question came out harsher than he truly wanted it to, but when he realized his tone he rephrased it. "I mean what's the matter?"

She gave him a knowing smile removing her leg from his side and sitting on his lap bridal style. "We have all week for that…" she reminded him. He let a smile turn up at his lip.

"It's always a game with you…" he whispered but he didn't hesitate at all to kiss gently down her neck. "Do you ever stop with the games…?"

She smiled a bit. She felt extremly content in where she was at the moment. Her emotions were running high but not in a bad way, she didn't feel the need to freeze or stutter. "I think you'll see its better that way." She whispered as he kissed down her collarbone.

"Oh really…I doubt it...I rather just have you when I want you." He bluntly stated and she allowed him to kiss her lips softly for a moment before getting up.

"Well if all we ever do is have sex all week long I'll never get a word in…I won't get to know anymore about you…like…" she looked around the room spotting a sculpture on the other side. "Like do you sculpt too?"

He stared at her and nowhere near the white diamond shape piece she was gesturing at. There it was again, that feeling. For some reason he wanted to make her a much more permanent part of his life. He still couldn't get over the fact that she seemed so obsessed with the idea of knowing him. He only smiled for a moment. "No…I don't sculpt, but do you like the piece?" He asked. She gave him a quick glance then looked back at it. She didn't really know what to like. It was just a cube on its side.

"Uh…I'm not really an artsy type, but…I like your paintings." She left his lap and walked forward. He rose from his seat following behind her. She entered the living room going near a picture of just the setting sun. How could she tell it was one of his paints was beyond him. He had plenty others by actual professionals all around the room.

"Really…" he asked and he couldn't help but let that doubtful sarcastic tone of his come through. Rin just shrugged and crossed her arms. She stared forward at it.

"Yeah…there simple, like you know…they don't try too hard." She said and that made him smile. He put an arm around her looking up at it for just a moment.

He then kissed her on the side of her face leaning in close. "Why else do you like it?" He asked softly in her ear. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck rise but she just put an arm around his.

"Because…" she shrugged "it's painted well and it looks just like what you want it to." She smiled… for a moment keeping in the real truth behind why she loved each and every one of his pictures. She hadn't even seen them all but she knew as soon as she laid eyes on them she would. "It's sort of familiar…like that one…that's the Takashi gates." She said pointing towards the painting.

"You think all of them are familiar?" He asked questioningly she couldn't see his expression but she just nodded. He let one of those genuine smiles reach his lips. "You flatter me…truly…but you're uh…you're adorable." He said. And she froze for a minute before grinning widely. "Why don't we order that food now?" He released her from his hold to cross the large room to the kitchen.

"No wait I want to see more…" she said and he only halted for a moment at the true enthusiasm in her voice. He wasn't sure if it was the actual paintings that had her so extremely excited?

"Later, we have plenty of time." He went back to the table they had left and grabbed the menu. She stared after him for a moment.

She didn't say anything she just let her eyes sweep through the room and then back on him. "You know why I really like your paintings?" She asked and he put the menu down for a moment to look over at her. She loved it when he gave her his undivided attention. He was beginning to see that, every time he moved something from his view to make way for her she always brightened up tenfold. "I hope you won't be mad when I tell you…" She said and the sentiment confused him a bit. Why would he be upset?

"Arts up for interpretation… I don't mind, go ahead…" He said and she smiled a little more. It made her look so extremely breathtakingly beautiful.

"Well…really I love them because you painted them." She said with a simple shrug. She turned back around to look at a picture of a yard. Just a simple yard, with the grass green and healthy swaying in the wind, she walked forward putting a hand to it making him just stare. There was that weird overwhelmingly warm feeling he got sometimes when she said things like that. When he realized how engrossed she was in him, it wasn't something you could fake. She very genuinely loved everything he did. It had him thinking deeply yet again. He watched her as she walked around the room. She stopped at other paintings but she knew automatically which were his. He could see it in her face, how engrossed she'd become when she saw his. "Just a pen…" she said pointing to a painting. "I love it…it makes me feel so…artsy."

He stared at her for a moment shaking his head and trying to hide a grin that was obviously never going to go away. The way she was making him feel right now…he just couldn't handle the brand new emotions. She never ceased to amaze him, no matter what she did. It could be the way she spoke; handled herself, kissed him…he was always so happily amazed. "I'm ordering for you…" He called out and she just nodded continuing to go around the room. The idea of it made him continue revisiting old thoughts, would these feelings fade with time? Or did he have to actually work and keep her? He turned to look back at her. Their relationship just started but he…he could see himself happy with her for a long while.

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26

INU POV

Inuyasha smiled as he saw her put a large piece of tomato in her mouth. He wasn't used to seeing her genuinely eat. She hadn't noticed him at all staring. If she had she would have slowed down, made sure to cut the pieces of tomato and mozzarella into smaller chunks so they weren't too much of a hassle to eat. But she was so hungry and it was her favorite type of salad made perfectly by her mom. It was like a slice of her childhood. The lettuce she had bought were cleaned properly and a dark fresh green. Lettuce wasn't even called for in a classic tomato basil salad, but her mom made hers with it. It was just her favorite.

"So are we ready for pot pie?" Her mom asked looking around the table. Her son had just pushed food around and as soon as his mom mentioned actual meat he sat up in his seat. Her grandfather's plate was finished and he turned to face Inuyasha to continue their discussion about something business related he really didn't care about. Kagome put the remaining scrap of her salad in her mouth and nodded. "You were hungry Kaggy…" She said grabbing her empty plate. Kagome just blushed and swallowed going for her napkin. She didn't say much more but when she looked up noticing Inuyasha's humongous knowing grin she returned it partially and sunk in her seat.

"So how many people work in a typical branch?" Her grandfather asked and he had to tear his eyes from her to turn. "I've always wondered? Is it true its hundreds? Kaggy says there's hundreds of employees how do you maintain them all?" He sighed inwardly so no one would tell how annoyed he was by the question. He grabbed his fork sticking a small piece of tomato in his mouth. He was about to follow it with some mozzarella but Kagome's mother returned and picked up his plate before he could finish. He just stuck a handsome smile on his perfect face. it help to falter her for a moment but she ultimately smiled back and left.

"Uh…" he said thinking about a way to answer his question while changing the topic entirely. "Well yeah there can be upwards to a thousand." This seem to shock her grandfather but he prevailed. "Everyone has different rolls throughout the branch, we appoint heads. Not everything goes to me...you know unless it's major" He nodded and he thought the subject would end but fat chance.

"So basically everything just goes right over your head?" He asked and Inuyasha furrowed his eyebrows, that wasn't at all what he meant.

"Grandpa…" Kagome said from her spot. He turned to face her. She was sitting up in her seat now listening to their conversation. "How did you get that from what he just said?" She asked and he smiled. She always seemed to want to come to his rescue. It was adorable but he could handle himself.

"No it's alright. I can see how he could jump to that conclusion. But no…no I handle most operations. It's one of the reasons we don't hire managing staff. I retain all administrative rights. Heads just make sure everything is going smoothly from day to day." Her grandfather nodded his head in understanding. He seemed so ridiculously fascinated.

"Oh wow…now that makes more sense." He said as his daughter brought new plates over to them. She set them on either side with a smile. "It must take real smarts to run a business of that size. Your father must be very proud."

Inuyasha just shrugged slightly."Well we're all engineered since birth for this." He mumbled as a small joke. Her grandfather obviously thought it was much funnier. The sound of his laughter made him glance up. When he took in his face he looked over at Kagome. She seemed so very pleased just by seeing her grandfather happy. It just reminded him that no matter how odd he found her family or how much of a hassle it was putting up a charming front he'd have to suck it up. This was her family.

"Inuyasha's super talented at every part of the company." Kagome added in and he could see how genuine her words were. She really believed that he was some business God. And of course that was very important to her because coupled with where she grew up, how she acted, and the poster he saw in her room. He could see that a business…all parts of one was truly Kagome's dream job. He didn't know anyone who could say; since I was a child I always wanted to work in a cubicle. It was so super strange to him, but that was her. Her grandfather turned to face her wanting to hear more. "He's extremely proficient… I mean in his branch alone there's so many different jobs and titles, and professionals who majored in their field but he's…it's almost like he's smarter than all of them."

"I'm sure he is." Her grandfather said but there it was again. That double meaning in his words. Did anyone in Kagome's family ever speak straight up? He always felt like he needed to solve some riddle.

"Oh joy…he's a genius too." Her younger brother mumbled from his spot and Inuyasha turned to face him. He was staring at his plate waiting for their mother to bring a large tray his way. No one in the room responded to his sarcasm though. It was almost like he wasn't in the room.

"Don't be ridiculous Kagome…" Inuyasha muttered making her turn. Her smile slipped a bit and he rephrased his words. "I'm just saying…I'm no genius, I'm not smarter than anyone."

"Don't be modest." Kagome's mother interrupted. She cut large slices of what looked like a crusted pie but when she placed it on his plate the insides were so obviously meat and vegetables. As soon as he smelled it he knew it was the scent he had whiffed when he first entered the house. He picked up his fork immediately. Her mother went around the table cutting large pieces for her son, father, but when she got to Kagome she cut the smallest slice.

"Thanks…" she mumbled looking down at it. It literally looked to be about an inch in diameter. She cut herself the same small piece and sat down. Kagome didn't argue with her though, she just took her fork out.

"You know Kagome's a certified genius herself." Her grandfather stated out of nowhere. She looked up widening her eyes in apparent mortification.

"Barely…" Kagome said.

Inuyasha glanced towards him raising his eyebrows. "Really…" The declaration reminded him of the time he invited her into his office. He had thought the same thing when first meeting her. "Well I'm sure that's true…but I'm no genius myself." He clarified and her grandfather just smiled almost as if he knew.

"Just a really smart gent is all." He stated putting a fork back into his food. Inuyasha stared at him for a moment before doing the same. "Kagome actually got certified when she was younger. She took a few tests for that uh…uh tick she has."

"Grandpa…" Kagome groaned slumping really deep in her seat.

"Tick?" Inuyasha asked almost as if he didn't understand. As soon as he made that questioning expression her grandfather looked guilty as if he just made a huge mistake.

"You don't know…" He hesitated and with that he closed his mouth.

"Okay…why don't we change the topic. Mr. Takashi you don't mind if I ask a few personal questions do you?" He tore his eyes from her grandfather to rest them on her mother. He most definitely minded, who the hell bluntly ask someone that?

"Wait…wait…what tick?" He asked looking forward at Kagome who was playing with her food.

"Kagome's a freak…you didn't know?" Souta mumbled slyly from his side of the table. He had a satisfied look on his face. "Unless she's not anymore…are you still a freak sis?" He turned to face Kagome then looked connivingly back at him. "We completely understand if you want to run for the hills." The comment was so extremely rude Inuyasha waited for either his grandfather or mother to interfere but none of them said a thing, they just continued eating. It was so weird…

"Souta…die…" Kagome stated and it made her brother laugh. "I'm not a freak."

"Of course not sweetie…you're lovely. Eat up so we can discuss our plans for tomorrow. I'm planning a mother daughter date." Her mother sung with a clap of her hands.

"No really…" she turned to face Inuyasha directly. "I'm not a freak…and he already knows I have OCD…it's not a nervous tick grandpa." Inuyasha sighed in slight relief allowing her declaration to sooth him a bit. He put more food in his mouth letting his emotions return to normal.

"A freaks a freak no matter how you dress her." Her brother muttered from his side. He didn't mean it as a straight up insult. More of a tease, Inuyasha could tell. He was getting this strange vibe, Souta didn't like him. Whenever he addressed a comment to him it was harsh and apparent. When he insulted Kagome it was light, just a bit of sibling sprawling.

"Die…" she stated carelessly it made him smile a bit more.

"Her father had the tick." Her grandfather stated out of nowhere. "It wasn't as bad as Kaggy's but he was a perfectionist, everything had to be in line. I told him as soon as he made goo-goo eyes with my daughter. 'Don't you go after her she's' got a tick of her own.'" He said in a grandfatherly way. He was lost in his own story of the past. "See my daughter is a little crazy too. Always cleaning all the time, I knew if they reproduced at least one of their kids would…"

"Grandpa…" Kagome interrupted.

"I'm not insulting you sweetie I'm just telling Mr. Takashi…" He turned to look over at him again. "Well long story short she turned out to not only be a perfectionist but a clean freak as well…" He shook his head a smile on his face. "She's also a genius…triple whammy. The way she is with numbers…you'd be surprised. I used to make her balance my check book. She started doing our taxes when she was fourteen."

Kagome sighed slightly looking down at her food and wanting to eat it so badly but not being able to. Her grandfather was upsetting her and her tick was coming back. "She loved to clean the house too…the perfect little thing really." Her mother said smiling at her daughter. "Too bad she never wanted to cut that hair of hers or wear a dress. Oh…my gosh and her glasses. Kaggy you remember you're reading glasses. I was about to take her books to stop her from wearing them everywhere."

"Guys…stop it…" Souta said with a smile on his face. It didn't stop them of course but it did make a shock Kagome and Inuyasha turn to face him. "You're going to chase Mr. Takashi away."

They realized the sarcasm immediately and Kagome sighed. "No not at all." Inuyasha said and everyone in the room stopped their talking. Kagome turned to face him shock apparent on her face. Why would she be shocked, he had no idea? Didn't she know he was crazy about her? "It just makes me want to stay more." He mumbled looking forward at her and there was that smile he loved so much. It made him want to cross the table and take her in his arms. Their grandfather saw the exchange and narrowed his eyes realizing something slightly.

"You guys…" Her mother sang. "So adorable I swear." Kagome blushed a bit looking down at her plate. She hadn't touched her food but his declaration eased her immediately and she was able to begin eating. The table became quiet after awhile and her mother got up going for Kagome's hardly eaten food. "Dessert time…" She sung and Kagome held on to the plate. It was the smallest piece and her mom wasn't even going to allow her to finish eating it. "Come on Kagome stop it…you're not going to keep that little adorable figure of yours forever if you keep eating like this." Her mother said and Inuyasha glanced up. Did she have any idea how little her daughter ate already?

Her mother's comment didn't seem to faze her though because she kept pulling chunks from the pot pie as her mother pulled it away. "Oh I meant to compliment you on the dinner…amazing really." He said and it made her mother blush and Souta mock him quietly at his seat.

"Well thank you…wait till you see my chocolate cake it's Kagome's favorite." She said and Kagome sat up happily but when she saw the slice her mother brought back her grin disappeared completely. "Here you go first slice Kaggy…"

"Is this even a slice?" She mumbled and it had Inuyasha smiling a bit.

"I'm just looking out for you honey…you ate all that cheese with the salad. Oh and the croutons with the soup."

"Yeah so…mom…I'm kind of hungry."

"I want to make sure you stay fit. Mr. Takashi isn't going to want a chubby wife." Her mother sung teasingly but it had both of them tensing up. She took the slice without much more hassle and Inuyasha thought of something to ease her. He was just too shocked at what her mother said to defend her in anyway. It was almost like a double insult, that fact wasn't lost on him.

"Kaggy you're hungry?" Her grandfather said easily. He got up from his spot and headed to the kitchen cutting her a bigger slice of both the cake and pot pie.

"Dad…" Her mother said.

"Hush up…that girl hasn't weighed more than eighty pounds her whole life. You're being absurd…" He put the plate in front of her and she smiled up at him. "Now Mr. Takashi we have big plans tomorrow. I'm hoping you can join us at the shop bright and early. I have some business queries only you can answer." Inuyasha smiled meagerly and even though he wanted to make up a polite excuse as to why he couldn't. He agreed, only because he was extremely grateful after seeing what he did for Kagome. He knew he was doing it as her grandfather, but still…he was happy he could pull out her beautiful smile.

"Actually grandpa…" Kagome said as she ate a large piece of pot pie he set down beside her. It had her mom glaring from a distance but she ignored it. "I wanted Inuyasha and I to get more settled down. We got here so late…" She said but in reality she didn't want him gone for the whole day, especially not with her grandfather and brother alone.

"You'll get settled later…" Her mother interrupted. "I have things planned for us. I have a dress I want you to wear for your engagement party. I want to run to the city for manicures and maybe a hair cut for you. Oh and I want to buy a matching dress shirt for Mr. Takashi…" She said with a slight smile. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes as he looked over at her. Why the hell…who does that? "I meant to ask you earlier…what size do you wear…I bet you're a 30, 31 in pants." He froze up slightly. "Or maybe even a 29…we'll do some measurements."

"Mom…" Kagome interrupted. "Inuyasha has plenty of clothes…you don't have to buy him anything.

"Yeah but you haven't seen the dress Kaggy…I want you guys to look the part for the party." She sighed as her mother rose from her seat. "We have a lot planned tomorrow. And you have to make that call to your sister. Let the men be men" she grabbed cups and plates from around the table. Kagome allowed her to take hers. "If you need so much time getting settled why don't you run to your room now? I'll take care of the kitchen." Kagome hesitated but she couldn't fight with her mother when she got like this. "Well go ahead….good night." She rose from her seat at that turning to leave. Inuyasha watched her go getting up himself to leave. No one found his exit odd though...

Actually her grandfather patted him on the back before he left. "The shop opens at five….so sleep well." He said and Inuyasha gave him a slight look before walking out of the kitchen and down the short steps towards their room. He was shocked he didn't catch up with her beforehand. She must have been going fairly fast. He went down the halls of bedrooms and took that short left. The two doors were slightly ajar and he opened them to reveal the original master suite. He hadn't yet seen it; while her mother showed him a tour of the rest of the house her brother and grandfather loaded their bags in the room. He glanced around, it was fairly big. Not too massive, the second master installed was a lot bigger.

It had a balcony off to the side. A massive king size bed against the wall with two wooden bedside drawers. There was also a little study space with a desk and computer, but no Kagome. He closed the doors and locked them looking around. He sensed her. she was definitely in the room, probably off towards one of the doors straight ahead. There were three. Two slide-ins so he knew automatically they were closets. The room was extremely clean so he knew she probably wouldn't be cleaning like she usually did. Her OCD had sort of simmered, he thought it was because she was at home. She must have felt comfortable where she was, well subconsciously, the rest of her was as tense and jumpy as ever. "Kagome…" he said going for the only door, he didn't bother knocking he just entered.

It was an ensuite bathroom, complete with his and her sinks, its own private door for the toilet, and a bathtub and shower combo. The room was also extremely clean, so imagine his surprise to see her at the sinks cleaning one half of the mirror rigorously. How she managed to get the time he had no idea. She must have ran down to the room and began cleaning immediately. She had taken her cardigan off as well letting him take in her form from the back perfectly. A towel was draped on the other half of the sink. She was readying herself for a shower. "Hey…." He said and she jumped instantly making him smile. He walked in closer noticing that although she was scrubbing the mirror with one hand the other one held a toothbrush in her mouth at the moment. So she came in to ready herself for bed and felt the compulsion to clean. She spit prematurely when she saw him, dropped her paper towel wad and cleaned her mouth. "I came to check on you…" he said, and although he wanted to see how she was, he also came rushing in because he didn't want to be left alone with her family, but how could you tell your girlfriend that? "I uh…you know I don't mind working at the family store tomorrow." He lied and that seemed to be the winning sentence that eased her. "I wish you could be there too, but" he shrugged walking further in. "I can suck it up. I'll see you later."

She thought maybe he'd try kissing her so she swallowed wanting to get any toothpaste in her mouth. She didn't say anything but she was extremely uncomfortable with him being here. Her heart was already beating at the thought of them sharing rooms, but now he was in the bathroom with her. What if instead of just brushing her teeth she was in the shower…naked or worse using the bathroom? He didn't kiss her though. He just walked past her and to the other side of the sink. He turned letting his back face the mirror. "Really…?" she asked and he just nodded, it made her smile. "I'm sorry about my mom in there…sometimes she can be a little intrusive."

"No it's fine…" he mumbled. She just kept that gorgeous smile on her face for a moment longer then turned back around. With her cardigan off he could make out her figure so much better. The dress really suited her, simple but so curve flattering, dipping at the small of her waist and jutting out at the top of her hips. It was also extremely short stopping at the top of her thigh. She had nothing at all to tear him away from her long shapely legs. No thigh length boots or long knee scraping cardigan. She just stood there legs crossed comfortably at the knee staring at herself in the mirror. She didn't seem to know how gorgeous she was, she just continued on in normalcy. She pulled out a small bag taking out a hair band and beginning to tie her long bonds of hair up in a bun. He watched her not saying anything just studying her features and profile. "So uh…a haircut." He said after sometime. She seemed confused by the random phrase but also a little thrown off. Why was he still just standing in the bathroom? She wanted to at some point brush her teeth, wash off make up, take a shower. She couldn't do that in front of him. Her stomach just twisted at the thought of it. "I mean tomorrow…your staying the whole day with your mom." She smiled feebly and he already knew how she felt about it. It was sort of how he felt about his own dad. Yeah he loved him to death but there were a million and one other terrible horrific things he rather do than spend one day with him doing absolutely nothing but bonding.

"Yeah it looks like it…she'll parade me around the town." She mumbled and he smiled slightly leaning against the drawers under the sink. He paused for only a moment and walked closer to her. She could feel her heart beating out of her chest. Those goose bumps rise.

He wasn't sure if he should voice this, he didn't want Kagome thinking at all what her mother said about him was true. He wasn't shallow enough to fall out of love with her because of phsyical changes, maybe he'd do that with any other woman in the world, but not Kagome. He loved her. He smiled enclosing his arms around her back. He looked up seeing only her in the mirror. "Don't let them cut too much." He mumbled meaning her hair. He leaned down kissing her at the base of her neck. His comment made her smile along with the other crazy feelings she had fluttering around her stomach. He didn't do much else he stared at her longer in the mirror. "Well like I said before I just…uh…I came to check on you. I'll leave you to it though." He said looking down at the many bottles she had lying around.

"I'm fine…but thanks." He nodded and unwrapped himself from her. He lingered a bit wanting to do so much more, but knowing he couldn't. "And I won't let her cut too much…" she said with a smile. He just returned it and turned to head out of the bathroom. She watched him go for awhile and turned back around with a huge smile on her face.

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26

She came back out after awhile with her hair in a strict bun and lavender matching pajama top and bottoms. It was silk and it made him wonder how many of those did she own? She didn't see him immediately when she came out which pleased her. She just wanted to hide herself and her pajamas under the sheets. She walked forward going for the bed faltering when she saw him sitting in the office nook. He was smiling over to her, his own laptop on the table and the desktop off to the side. He closed it rising up from the chair with a towel and a few other things.

She froze feeling her heart pick up speed. She thought maybe he'd put his arms around her but he just walked past towards the bathroom. "I'll be out in a minute." He said and with that the emotions simmered. He left through the door and closed it after him. She walked forward towards the bed. She only hesitated, contemplating if she should unpack her bags. She thought agaisnt it in the end, she was planning on getting up extremely early tomorrow. She'd do it later. She walked over to the right side of the bed near the door. She covered herself completely with the sheets letting those too wired emotions immerse her, making it too hard to sleep. She just kept thinking of what he'd do when he came out. Would he want to have sex? Would she want to? Would she have to tell him first? Her emotions were going crazy and she felt the need to do something, anything to ease it. She pushed the sheets off starting to see spots that weren't there.

The only thing that kept her at bay was the idea he'd come out and see her. That scared her a bit, with her family already acting insane she didn't want to overwhelm him with her OCD. She contemplated what to do knowing in the end she'd give in and begin cleaning anyway. She couldn't help it, It wasn't a decision it was automatic. Though this was the longest time she had ever gone trying to make the choice. He came out just as she for the third time pushed her legs off the sheets then back in again. It was one of the spasms she did when trying to stop herself. She took a deep breath looking up at him. He came out with nothing on at all but his towel. He seemed so casual with it and when she saw him all thoughts disappeared. She just pushed herself deep in the sheets allowing only a small pocket of light to peek at him.

He took a second to look towards her. He heard the movement from the bed but when he saw her covered in sheets he didn't over think it. He went to the left for his luggage. He pulled out a pair of boxers pulling off his towel carelessly and draping it over his shoulders. When he stood up he gave Kagome a view of his perfect bare ass, she gasped loudly and pushed the sheets over her head. He turned at that a smile so very evident on his face. He pulled on a pair of navy blue boxers turning to head to the right side of the bed. He didn't even say anything when he realized how far to the right she was laying. He walked on top of it. The shifting bed had her emotions going crazy. He wanted to hold her but he could already tell that wouldn't be something she wanted. She wasn't just lying away from him but her back was against him too. He just lied back staring at the high ceiling fan.

He couldn't really sleep just wondering about her and how she was feeling. He knew she wasn't sleeping, so he wondered sometimes what she was afraid of. Was it shallow or one track minded to obsess over what he needed to do to finally have sex with his girlfriend? Maybe he should have been obsessing over other things, it really shouldn't matter that much. He loved her, that should have been all that mattered…and it was all that mattered, but still. He understood their relationship just started, he had to remind himself that. But it felt like they were already on another level...he didn't really need sex though. It just seemed like sometimes she could be so distant. She didn't even seem to want to be touched.

She laid back awkwardly her heart still thumping. It took a few minutes but ultimately she realized that he wasn't going to make any moves towards her. He wasn't going to pull her into his arms or climb on top of her. She didn't admit it but she was sort of disappointed, all the pint up emotions she was feeling weren't warranted, he had shifted away from her after awhile. She sighed climbing out of the sheets and over to him. He sensed her but didn't move thinking maybe she was climbing out but when she crawled towards him he halted. "Hey…" she whispered and he turned around to face her a bit. She was kneeling down beside him with a slight nervous smile on her face. He turned fully to face her waiting for her to speak. She never did instead she laid down near him her head on his bare chest. To say he was shocked was an understatement but he didn't dwell too much, he just put arms around her.

"I was wondering why you were sleeping way over there?" He whispered and she just smiled a bit.

"You should have came and got me…" He smiled after her declaration. He knew exactly what he'd have to do when it came to her. She laid comfortably with a slight grin on her face for a moment, not a care in the world. He let his hands lower to her waist and out of nowhere he lifted her easily forcing her to lie on his chest completely. Her heart began pumping fast like it usually did when he got close. She was starting to realize that the feelings roaming through the pit of her stomach were a good thing. She smiled sitting up and letting her legs fall on either side to straddle him. She meant it as a completely innocent move he could tell, she was still laughing in shock at how he so easily whisked her up. She was sitting on his torso just above his genitals, one hand on her heart in shock. She had no idea the emotion her position enacted in him. He put two hands on her hips then slipped them into her shirt feeling her bare skin. He could feel how the move shocked her, her whole body tensed up and she leaned forward a bit. It surprised him when she fell towards him to capture his lips. His hands were on her bare waist he brought them around slipping them into her bra.

She paused slightly her lips still on his but she wasn't deepening it, so shocked at the feeling of his warm hands on her mounds. She never had that feeling before, his hands massaging the flesh and pinching her erected nipple. It had her acting in such crazy ways making the pit of her stomach heat up and between her legs get so unusually wet. She moved a bit to unbutton her shirt, it wasn't something she'd usually do but she was acting on complete emotion and feeling. She couldn't even for a moment continue kissing him. She just let his hands play at her flesh as she lowered her head to rest on his chest. He had a slight smirk on his face and he moved a hand to lower into her pants. He would have put it down into her junction but the grinding she was subconsciously doing rubbed at his member and he felt the aching before going hard. The nagging increased when she shifted on top of it completely. The feeling just made her crazier, his member rubbed exactly on her sensitive spot and she never felt that feeling before. This vibrating hot tingling feeling throughout her lower half, it felt so extremely amazing it had her moving even more against it and he had to put two hands on her hips stopping her.

"Stop…hold on…" he said huskily and she sat up a bit surprised by the sound of his voice. It caused chills down her spine. He let his eyes take her in, she had that wild look about her. Her face flushed, eyes wild, nose flared. She was beautiful and wild so different than how she usually looked. So cautious and perfect, he loved both sides and he brought himself forward to kiss her. She had unbuttoned the blouse of her pajamas and he could easily let his hands touch the flesh of her torso. She collapsed forward kissing him wildly with so much spark he was stunned yet again. His own fire was igniting ridiculously and he wanted to so badly get her naked. He halted her putting hands on her shoulders. "Wait... lie back…" He said lifting her and forcing her to lie beside him. He met her quickly but in the time he was ready to lower himself the feelings she had still crazy and hot met intense fear.

He kissed down her neck harshly and rapidly. He lingered on the side where he'd make a mate mark, if that was something he'd do. Why he was thinking about that was beyond him. He let those emotions she ignited in him blaze and he harshly nipped at her lips. If he wasn't in his own world consumed by all thoughts and feelings of her he'd realize she wasn't kissing back. She wasn't holding on she was just allowing the rough insane kisses. They heated her but that fear was still creeping hard. He brought his lips down her chest and when he went to push her pants down she did the chest halt. It woke him up immediately from his heated daze. She did it whenever she wanted him to stop or slow it down. It meant she wasn't feeling it and even though he wanted so much at the moment he had to try to simmer himself down. "What…" he asked harshly he didn't mean it to came out that way. He stared at her face the expression was hard to decipher but if she wasn't lying back she would be crossing her arms and looking away. She was uncomfortable and he could tell, maybe he got too carried away. It was Kagome, he should have known better than to handle her so harshly.

What he didn't know was it wasn't the way he treated her that had her stopping him. The rough kisses actually scorched her in a good way. It was the fear and how fast they were going. He bent down to kiss her but he made sure the movement was sweet and slow and she actually kissed back. He lifted her to lie back on top of him. His stomach was still so hot and his groin still nagged with the want to be in her. But he sucked it up going back to the position they were before. She continued kissing him lying on his chest, her hands rubbed against his torso a bit. She was making all the right movements to turn him on, but they never climaxed. They were just sinfully heated kisses. She continued them and when she'd bring her lips to touch his he'd kiss her back passionately his blood heating just to simmer again. He put his hands on the small of her back. Rubbing up and down her torso over the shirt knowing if he touched bare skin he'd go insane again. She kissed him around his chin and he had to take deep breaths to keep his emotions at bay. She had this weird way of scraping his flesh with her teeth when she kissed that just drove him insane. When she brought her lips down his neck she shifted lower rubbing against his groin again. He closed his eyes feeling that amazing pain that came with it. She went back up meeting his lips. He allowed it, kissing her back and feeling that spark come then die down. That's all she did for awhile drive him crazy with her amazing kisses.

"Kagome…" he said after she left his lips once again. He was panting a bit but he sighed to catch his breath. She was now kissing down the side of his neck. "This is really great honestly but…" she stopped to look down at him. He met her eyes and stared getting lost in the wild intense passion in them. He realized after awhile that she was waiting for him to speak, making him look somewhere else so he could phrase his words nicely. "But uh…hey…don't you want more?" He asked lifting up to kiss her lips. She didn't kiss back. "I want you so badly…" he whispered and it caused that chill to go down her spine. He wanted her now but when he got her, would he really be as eager. That's the thought that went through her head and she just smiled lowering herself down and lying on his chest. She didn't move she just lied there. "Kagome…"

"I'm really tired." She said suddenly. She was sleeping near his chest and she brought her legs down to lie squarely on top of him. He was shocked by her response and even more taken back by her decision to remain on top of him. He didn't argue though, he just put his arms around her. She was trying to show she wasn't upset by his question or statement by staying in his arms. He only took one moment to lean to the side and turn the lights off letting the room become encase in darkness.

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26

In the middle of the night she awoke to him nipping at her neck. As soon as she got up completely she felt this intense feeling. It was a heat that lit in her core and caused her to go insane. She lifted her head and met his lips completely. His kisses were intense and like heaven. She needed so much more of it and she kissed him hard tugging at his button down. She didn't wonder for a moment why he was dressed in office casual. She just tugged on his shirt easily and undid it with little effort. She got his shirt off, pulled off his tie, then went for his belt. He kissed her down the neck as she undid it. When she took it off completely she threw it on the ground. That wet feeling in her core came back and it just made her want more.

He didn't fuss. He just waited till he was completely naked and began doing the same for her. Why she was wearing a formal gown was beyond him. He unzipped it taking it off and that fear never ignited in her. As soon as he tore off her dress she was naked with just a pair of underwear on. She moved up to meet his lips again, feeling his hard immediately hit her core. It was at the right spot and she began that subconscious rocking against it. His hands continued massaging her breast and the rocking became more vigorous. Her bottom half ached with the need and she wanted him in her so badly.

She kissed him more and after awhile he stopped. "I want more…" he said and she nodded understanding. He lifted her down on the bed and went to pull off her underwear. She looked somewhere else completely as he pushed it pass her thighs. When he was done, ready to get on top of her, he never did. Instead he laughed loudly. She turned to face him and he just continued to laugh. He laughed completely over and over again and it made her heart sink.

"What's wrong?" she asked and he looked up at her a sarcastic sneer on his face.

"What am I supposed to do with that?" He asked and she looked down seeing an actual lock on her privates. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and he just shook his head and went down towards her. "Wake up…" he said and she looked from down her torso to up into his golden eyes. "Wake up…"

"What…" she mumbled hoarsely.

"Wake up Kagome…"

"What do you mean?"

"Wake up" just like that she opened her eyes and she saw real golden orbs. "Hey…I think you're having a nightmare…" He whispered and she sat up. She was still lying on top of him, her shirt still unbuttoned, but she had a light sweat down her neck. She looked ridiculously sexy. He let a hand touch her bare waist making her cross her arms closing the shirt. She was panting a bit allowing reality to sit in completely. "Some dream huh?" He asked and she looked down at him. He was still bare, no shirt, no slacks. She had no idea but when she thrusted in her dream she did it in reality as well.

He woke up to vigorous shifting near his groin. It felt amazing but when he realized she was sleeping he couldn't bring himself to wake her. At the moment she seemed confused, blocking his access to her bare skin so he just let his hands grip both her thighs rubbing up and down slowly. He knew just by the way she rotated herself while she slept that it was a sex dream and the idea of it just lit that fire again. "What was it about?" He asked cheekily and she looked down letting the dream soak in again. He let his fingers dip near her core and as soon as she felt it she got off of him. He sat up watching her button up her shirt and climb off the bed completely. "What…what's wrong?" He asked and she turned around stumbling a bit.

"I have to go…I have to get ready to go." She said and he raised an eyebrow turning to look at the bedside table.

"It's three in the morning…" He said and she widened her eyes going off to the bathroom. He pulled the sheets off and followed her quickly. He opened the door seeing her hurry to the mirror. "What's going on?"

"It's three we're late. Breakfast is served at four. We have to get dressed." He crossed his arms in disbelief and she could tell. "The shop opens at five. My mom gets up and makes breakfast at four." She said and he realized automatically she was telling the truth. Although he was sure that she was also on edge about that dream. It made him curious.

"Okay…can we sleep in…?" He whispered and she just shook her head making him sigh loudly. "Fine" he mumbled going off towards the toilet. She didn't think anything of it, feeling jittery about the dream and her feelings about him sexually. He went off to the side opened the door and just began peeing. He didn't even bother closing the door behind him. He just peed and she backed up to check if her observation was true. She could see his bare ass once again and when he was done he made a shaking movement flushed the toilet and pulled up his boxers. She was so shocked by the notion and the look of him bare, she just stared and he backed up seeing her immediately. He went to the sink washing his hands about to say something but when he witnessed her intense blush. He just spared her a strange look.

He watched as she began readying herself to brush her teeth. She had a very precise way of putting the tooth paste on her brush. Everything had to be extremely exact and when he walked forward to take the tooth paste from her she jumped. He halted wondering why. He gave her a moment to relax her emotions but when he came close again she actually recoiled. She coiled away from him! He had no idea what happened inbetween sleeping and now. Last night he felt like he was making progress with her, but literally now it felt like one step forward and one hundred steps back. She didn't even want to be touched now. "I just…I want the toothpaste." He said and she nodded turning around to past it to him. He took it going for the second sink. He was about to begin brushing but he just couldn't tip toe around it. "What's going on Kagome…" he asked bluntly.

She turned around brush in her mouth to look over at him. She didn't say anything she just began brushing slowly to hear him out. "Was it the dream…last night…or what I said before that?" He waited for a moment. "Because if it's the wanting more thing…I'm sorry really. I can wait…whenever you're ready seriously. I just…what is it?" He asked and she gulped standing straight ahead and staring at her reflection. "Come on talk to me…"

"It's the dream…" she said stepping forward and spitting in the sink. "It was a nightmare…"

He took a sigh of relief and stood forward himself. "See that's what I thought it was…what was it about?" He asked and even though she was telling the truth. It was in fact the dream, she couldn't tell him what it was about. She didn't say anything she put the toothbrush back in her mouth. "Kagome…"

"Uh…nothing… just, I was riding Buyo…" she lied and he narrowed his eyes not really believing that but it would explain the thrusting. Maybe he wasn't right about it being sex related. "I was riding him and uh…I fell off…it must be being back home."

"Okay, but that doesn't explain why you're acting…" he hesitated for a moment then turned forward. Maybe she was telling the truth. Maybe she was tense from the dream, what did he know? He went forward and began brushing his teeth. She did the same going through each side in divisions of three. He didn't notice until he was done and she continued to brush. He went for the floss and she stopped brushing minutes after. He didn't say anything though. She measured perfectly the amount of Listerine to use then gargled for approximately thirty seconds. When she spit she measured again gargled for thirty second then measured a third time doing it again. He didn't say a thing. She flossed in division of threes as well.

He stared forward grabbing his razor to begin shaving. He was starting to get a really bad stubble from missing a shave for two days. No one noticed but him really, his hair came in silver. He dry shaved for the most part till he realized the hair was too thick. He went into the bathroom bag he brought in last night and grabbed a small tube and his electric shaver. He contemplated which one to use and he stuck with the hand held but he rubbed a slick cream onto his face and began shaving again. He leaned slightly into the mirror when he saw her staring. He didn't know why she did that sometimes. She just stared and it was weird as hell but it always never failed to make his stomach heat up. She acted like a girl obsessed with him as ironic as that was seeing as for someone so devoted he had yet to have sex with her. He paused for a moment then turned to face her. "Do you want to shave for me?" He asked with a slight smile. "You can get my back." She gave him that grin he loved and he felt his insides melt. "Come on you can get where I can't reach." He turned his back to face her and backed up making her laugh. He did it for a moment longer then turned back around to finish.

"I just…I didn't know you shaved." She said after a moment. She had a tube off to the side and she picked it up dabbing the cream on her hands to apply it to her face.

"Yeah well…how do you think it stays smooth?" She smiled a little at her stupidity. She just shrugged and he leaned in to continue shaving. "Did you think I just woke up…and here I am…"

"Perfect…" she whispered finishing off his sentence. It wasn't what he was going to say. He didn't think he was perfect but he was beginning to realize that Kagome did. She thought everything from him physically to his personality was perfect. How could she believe something like that? After all the mistakes he made in their relationship up to now? He stared at her as she applied some white cream onto her face. He finished his shaving washed his face and turned to leave. She was still doing her morning routine. Everything had to be extremely perfect for her…he didn't know he was one of those things.

She came back in the room moments later and went for her suitcase. He was already dressed but he didn't say a thing. He watched as she pulled out clothes and went back into the bathroom. He sighed, figures...she couldn't even get dressed in front of him. He checked his phone for any messages. It was now almost four. He was about to lie back down when they got a knock on the door."Hi…Kaggy…" her mother yelled, she tried opening the door but it was locked. He knew he should have unlocked it but he just stayed seated on the bed. "Breakfast is out…it's a bit early, but grandpa wants to head into the shop soon. Kags.. Kags…Wake up"

Kagome came running out. She had a light blue pair of shorts with a brown braided belt. On top she had on a light blue fitted blouse with indigo stripes. She hadn't gotten to button it up completely or tuck it in. She was trying to do it as she ran to the door. "Mom…" she called out. "We're coming out soon…we'll be out at four." She said buttoning as she spoke. Her mom seemed accepting and she said a few other things before leaving. Kagome sighed for a moment tucking in her shirt and turning to face him. He sat up when he saw her wanting to say something but she didn't seem in the mood. She just turned away and hurried back into the bathroom. He couldn't help it he had to follow.

"Hey…" he said going into the bathroom. She was facing the mirror and applying eye makeup. He leaned against the door frame staring at her. He didn't even need or want anything from her. He just…he honestly just wanted her, and he didn't understand why he didn't feel like he had her at the moment. Something was definitely still at odds with them.

"Hi…" is all she said. He didn't say much more either he just stared. She took her hair out of the bun letting it fall in waves down her back. She didn't have to do anything else with it just put a brown hair band matching her belt over the front, pushing her bangs back. She looked amazing. It never cease to amaze him. She turned around finished, wanting to get out but before she could he grabbed her by the arm. He leaned down wanting to kiss her but she moved from his grasp. "I have to go…" she said going for brown boots in her suitcase and a dark cardigan matching the navy blue stripes on her blouse. She pulled it on taking her knap sack and leaving with absolutely no notice.

He watched her go and sighed loudly in annoyance. It wasn't an emotion he usually felt when it came to Kagome. But what the fuck! What did he have to fucking do! He honestly wanted to know…one minute she was up, lying on top of him, kissing up and down his chest giving him that feeling. That crazy intense feeling that he could never get wholly from any other woman. Then on the other foot she was recoiling from his touch. Pulling away from his kiss…he was so confused he could get so far with her but yet so distant. He waited for a moment then followed out of the room and up the stairs to the kitchen.

Everyone in her weird ass family including her, were seated as if it was an appropriate time instead of four in the fucking morning. The sun wasn't even up. He took his seat across from them all returning their hellos. The kitchen had a familiar scent to it. He realized what it was when he looked down at his plate. It was the pancakes, blueberry and banana, Kagome had made when he slept over her apartment.

"Hello Mr. Takashi I was just telling Kagome she should wear a dress today and you'd agree." Her mother said and Inuyasha just yawned ignoring her and cutting his pancakes. "Mr. Takashi…"

"It's Inuyasha…" he stated cutting her off. He didn't mean to be rude but he wasn't in the best mood. He was at odds about her daughter like always and it was making him crabby with emotion. He looked up at Kagome, she was taking her medication with a glass of orange juice but when she heard Inuyasha snap she looked up. He realized when he saw everyone at the table staring at him that he came off as rude. "I mean…please call me Inuyasha."

"I take it you didn't have a good night?" Her grandfather asked. "I hope that won't affect your work today at the shop."

"No uh…the night was fine. The room's extremely comfortable. I'm fine." Her grandfather nodded at that and Souta just laughed rudely.

"Kagome once the men leave we'll find you a nice dress. I want you looking your best today." Her mother said and it just made her daughter sigh and play with her food. Her ridiculous slim amount of food, she had only one pancake. A slice of bacon and a rounded sausage, she sighed.

"Actually mom…" she said looking up. "I was thinking of riding Buyo. I'm not up for going into town today." Her mother laughed sarcastically at that and it made Kagome groan a bit. Inuyasha immediately realized, yes he was feeling like shit but so was Kagome. She stood up from her spot and took her knapsack with her.

"Honey where are you going?" she asked and she pushed a hand over her face in frustration.

"I have to make a call…" she said and she didn't even spare Inuyasha a look she just left and headed outside onto the deck. Everyone turned to face her as she left their view. As soon as she was gone he knew exactly who that call would be to. The room got quiet after awhile. All he could hear was the clinging of forks and glasses. He ate his own food basking happily in the silence. It took Kagome a good fifteen minutes to come back in and when she did she sat down in her spot and grabbed her fork.

"Where did you go?" Her mother asked and Inuyasha looked up at her. She was staring at her food playing with it for awhile before putting a small piece of sausage in her mouth. He rose from his own seat. And she looked up in shock. "Now where are you going?" Her mother asked and he just put a smile to his face.

"I just…I forgot something in the room. My wallet." He lied and they stared at him as he left towards the back. Kagome seemed as if she wanted to follow but her mom just started on about some trivial topic. He crossed out of the room down the stairs and to the master suite grabbing his phone from his back pocket. He took it out and made the call quickly. Someone answered on the second ring.

"Okay…" he said locking the door to the bedroom. "I'm going to just cut to the chase. I know Kagome just called you. Tell me what she told you now." He demanded rudely.

"It's four in the fucking morning." A man barked over the phone and Inuyasha tensed in shock. He looked down at the phone seeing Rin's name on the caller I.D. "She did call though and I told her the same thing."

"Sesshomaru?" He asked questioningly and his older brother sighed before turning towards Rin and waking her easily once again. "Where's Rin…" he asked but he had already passed her the phone.

"Hello…" she whispered tiredly.

"Rin…was that…you're at my brother's house?" He asked and Rin just smiled at the apparent shock in his voice. She climbed off the bed once again and headed towards the bathroom.

"What do you want Inuyasha…I'm mad at you." She said and Inuyasha made a confused look before sitting down on the bed.

"Why…"

"Because neither you nor Kagome called me when you got into her town." She said and Inuyasha rolled her eyes at the shallowness. "What do you want anyway?" she demanded "I'm busy…"

"Doing what? Fucking my brother…" Rin gasped at his bluntness but he didn't care. "Listen Kagome called you. Tell me what she told you now."

"I can't…"

"Rin…" He said sternly and it had Rin tensing at the seriousness in his voice. "I mean it. I have to know."

"You don't have to know…you just want to…and I can't tell you it's a girl thing."

"Fuck that…"

"Inuyasha stop yelling at me." She whispered and he thought about that for a moment realizing he should try to be calmer. He sighed and laid down on the bed.

"I'm sorry Rin…" he whispered and she was shocked. "I just…you know how much I care about her. More than any other person, and I need to know what's going on in her head…" he hesitated. He couldn't tell her much more than that. His feelings weren't written out in articulate sentences. he couldn't express them fully. "Can you tell me what the call was about at least?"

Rin nodded slightly. "Yeah…I guess so. She just talked about you know being back home and uh…and you guys…" he sat up at that. "It wasn't anything bad she just…she had a dream."

"I know she did…I knew it. What's it about?" He asked and Rin hesitated a bit scared to continue. "Come on tell me. If you don't I'll keep calling. I'll call you, my brother, his house phone, over and over again…I won't say anything I just…I need to know. Come on…"

"Okay…okay…fine…" she sighed… "Please don't tell her…please this is really awful."

"I won't…just go."

"If you're calling because she's acting odd it's because of the dream." He nodded knowingly. "She had some weird dream about you guys having sex…for some reason you were dressed in business casual and her in a formal gown… that's beside the point though... when you took off her clothes she had some sort of lock on her privates…weird…you laughed at her."

"No I didn't…" he whispered and Rin rolled her eyes.

"In the dream idiot…" he nodded knowing that was so, he just…why couldn't she get passed that. It was a fucking dream. he didn't understand Kagome's innocence in that sense. She always threw him off with things like that.

"Yeah I know…and that's the whole dream?" He asked and she nodded. He couldn't see it but he knew from the silence it was. "Uh…so now I just…I have to work harder to get back to where we were before this…and before it… we weren't even having sex so."

"I hope that's not the most important thing to you…"

"No…it's not. Not at all, if it were then I wouldn't be here, you know it's not…I just." He paused getting up and putting a hand in his pockets. "It's not just sex it's everything, she's always hiding something, always holding back somehow. I take one step forward and one hundred steps back." He said with a shrug and Rin hated the defeated tone in his voice. She groaned knowing she shouldn't do this but she couldn't help it.

"She's a virgin…" Rin admitted quickly. He halted at her declaration and he should not have been shocked he knew it but he was slightly. "She's just scared… go slow with her." He knew that much and he nodded agreeing. "The only thing she's hiding from you is that…don't get discouraged she'll come around. That's what the dream was about. The lock…I'm still trying to figure out why you were wearing a tie though…weird."

"I'm trying to figure out why I was laughing at her…" Rin sighed.

"It wasn't you…wow Inuyasha you must really love her. It was just a dream. She's not blaming you she's just frazzled. She'll come around though. She's crazy about you. Actually not crazy insane…If it makes you feel better she said..." she hesitated knowing she shouldn't reveal anymore of Kagome's secrets.

"What...what did she say?" He asked and Rin sighed. It literally pained her but the sound of despair in his voice did the same too.

"She said she uh...she saw you naked and you...she thinks you're extremely sexy. Well she didn't say it in those words. I think she said you look...you're perfect...and you know." Rin shrugged for a moment. "She doesn't think you'll think she's perfect either...typical virgin troubles."

He laughed a little thinking about that. Finally he could explain the stare earlier in the bathroom. It also confirmed his fears though. Was there anyway he could show her he wasn't perfect before she found out. He didn't want to see the look in her eyes when the perfect bubble she had around him finally burst. He sighed running a hand through his hair "I do...she is..." he whispered and Rin smiled.

"Well you know virgins..." she whispered and he shook his head. It wasn't a virgin thing it was a Kagome thing.

"Yeah…true..." he mumbled "Well I have to go…have fun with my brother."

Rin's grin widened in excitement. "Yeah I have to call and tell you about what happened yesterday!" She said in total happiness. She was about to continue on when she heard the dial tone. She narrowed her eyes and looked down at it. "What a dick…"

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KAG POV

Kagome smiled as she took her grandfather's plate. "So uh…grandpa…" she said in a slight whisper so her mom wouldn't over hear. "You think you'll need help at the shop. I could come down…I'd love to help." She said going over to Souta and taking his plate too.

"Kaggy I'd love nothing more, but your mom has something else in store for you." He said and Kagome stared over at him for a moment before taking the plates to the sink. Her grandfather got out of his seat and Souta followed suit. They were headed for the back door when Inuyasha came back in. Kagome turned when she heard him, almost dropping the plates out of her hands. She was so engrossed in him. "Mr. Takashi…" her grandfather called out.

"Inuyasha…call me Inuyasha." He reminded him and the man just smiled, but why did he have a feeling he wouldn't.

"Have you ever driven a pick up?" He asked and Inuyasha just gave him a knowing smile.

"I own a pick up…" Inuyasha said and her grandfather nodded leaning to tell Souta something. Whatever it was it had the boy frowning before carelessly throwing the keys over at him. He had power in his throw. He obviously meant it to hit him. But his reflexes were too fast and he caught them before they could smack him in the face.

"Uh…thanks…" he said and Souta rolled his eyes and turned around to exit.

"Souta…" Kagome snapped quickly. "You almost hit him…and you did it on purpose. You are such an angsty little brat." Kagome snapped to Inuyasha's surprise but her brother ignored her turning to leave out of the French doors and down the deck. Kagome watched him go then turned to face Inuyasha. She had the most genuine smile on her face reserved only for him. It was like a slight apology and it showed longing. She walked over to him and unbeknownst to them her mother watched nosily at their exchange. "Sorry about him…" she whispered. "I wish I could come with you guys."

"Trust me I wish too." She stood right in front of him but she made no move to reach over and kiss him. She was in a better disposition though, just one of her crazy mood swings. She moved in closer, her hands going to his shirt. She played with the buttons slightly and he allowed her for a moment before deciding to try and meet her lips. He leaned down grabbing her chin gently and thank goodness she didn't withdrawal at all. Unfortunately she didn't kiss back either. She just allowed him to meet her lips gently. She backed up quickly letting him go around and down the stairs.

"Oh Mr. Takashi…Inuyasha…." Her mother called out. She turned around three metal tins in her hands. "I made lunch for you boys…be a dear and bring them down." He turned to do just that. "I also put your breakfast in there as well…just in case you get a little peckish." He smiled and she leaned over to fix his collar. "Have fun…" he nodded and Kagome stared at him as he left through the French doors and down the deck stairs." That Mr. Takashi so beautiful…I swear…I have the perfect outfit for him this weekend. I'll show you after your manicure."

"Well mom…can I just uh…go tomorrow…we have all week and I don't want to. Not today anyway."

"Well…you'll have to suck it up…now go back in that room and pick out an appropriate dress." Kagome stared out the window near the sink. She walked forward seeing Inuyasha climb into the driver's seat, her brother in the back of the pickup. The thought of going into town literally pained her. She didn't have the mental stability at the moment for it. She didn't like leaving him for the whole day like this. Rin was right she was putting too much importance on a dream. It made her jump and super nervous, but that was a feeling she already had with him. She could get over it. She walked from the window to the doors.
Kaggy…did you hear me? Go get dressed…"

"Yeah mom… I just…can I go say hi to Buyo?" She asked and her mom looked as if she wanted to rebuff that. "Please I haven't seen him in years. I just want to say hi…" Her mom continued cleaning dishes wanting so badly to say no, but deciding to allow it. Hopefully it would get her to do what she wanted without lip. She didn't say a word and Kagome just smiled throwing the door open and running down the deck stairs to the patio. The boys were gone so she easily crossed the lot to the stables. She wasn't thinking very clearly because as soon as she slid the doors opened she went for the saddle on the side. They owned around six horses. The stable was extremely spacious but not that large. The horses hung off to the side towards the outside portion. She was very careful when she went towards the back. Because of how roomy the stable was built she wasn't extremely disgusted or met by a stench, but her OCD did run rampage in places like this. It always had but she was determined and she already took her medication. She went to the back hearing him automatically. He was neighing like crazy almost like he knew it was her. She smiled vividly and ran with the saddle in hand. "Hey buddy…" She said reaching over to pet him. He looked just like she remembered, white with brown spots and little dabs of black on some of them. His coat was extremely shiny telling her how well they had been grooming him while she was gone. The idea made her smile. Her grandfather must have walked him around the yard so he could get exercise seeing as Buyo wouldn't allow anyone to ride him but her.

"You look so beautiful…" she whispered and he lifted his giant head almost as if he understood. He was moving to the edge of the stable wanting to get closer. "You wanna go for a ride?" She asked smiling when he began his loud neighing. "I know you do…let's see what I have in here for you? " She opened the latch and entered the stable. She didn't go in too far. There wasn't any dung on the ground. Her grandfather collected the manure for their fertilizer recipe so they didn't leave it on the ground for too long. Although she was still a little apprehensive about entering too far, she loved horses, but her OCD made it so hard sometimes. She smiled a little going into her bag and getting out a small bag of sliced apples. She was so caught up yesterday she had forgotten completely about them. They were turning a little brown. She didn't usually do that but sometimes with Inuyasha around…she wasn't as organized and precise as usual. She took one out and placed it on top of the stable door making him reach to eat it. She couldn't bring herself to lay it in her hand so he could eat out of it. She did pet him though. She did it for awhile before turning to look at the open ended side of the stable. She could see their lake up in the distance. The sun was about to peek out of the horizon. She knew exactly what trail to take to bypass both the cars and her town. Right pass the lake, through the woods, and to their shop. She could stay there for a good while too. Her mother wouldn't go out to get her for some time. She'd have to take her own horse down and tie it up before getting grandpa's truck to drive around town or to the city. She stared out…she could do it. She could talk to Inuyasha, make things right after her dream. She pet Buyo for a moment longer, rolling her eyes at the absurdity of the whole thing.

She couldn't do that of course. "Well I have to go buddy…" she said leaning in to hug his torso for a moment. "But I'll come visit again. I'll be back soon." He neighed again and she went out into the main hall of the stable hearing her mother's calls.

"Time to get up here!" She screamed and she looked off to the side seeing her figure on top of the deck. She hesitated for a moment. Thinking about leaving again when she felt Buyo nudge her a bit, she turned around smiling.

"You know what she's going to make me do if I go up there right?" She asked turning to pet down his nose. "She's going to make me try on crazy dresses…cut my hair…parade me around the town like a piece of meat. And you know how much I hate our town. I don't wanna go. I wanna stay here with you." She said and he seemed to agree. She petted him for a moment longer then stared at the saddle she had brought in and hung off to the side. "Kagome I'll come down there!" It was that thinly veiled threat that had her surging back into the stable. A small smile on her face as she grabbed the saddle and began strapping it on, he seemed extremely excited and Kagome just smiled as she finished up and stood to the side. She turned to get his halter hooking it up for a moment and smiling. "You look nearly ready." She said petting him once more. "A shame to be all dressed up with nowhere to go." She added the remainder of the equipment easily then stepped back to examine her work. She grabbed him by his halter and led him out of his stable. He acted a little crazy she wasn't sure if it was because he didn't want to go or he wanted to go really badly. "Calm down what's wrong?" She asked not understanding, but sometimes he acted like that. He was a wild horse. Well he was till her grandfather found him as a colt limping around the Valley lame. She pulled him out of the stable and outside. She wasn't surprised at all to see her mom coming down the deck steps into the yard. "Oh no wonder why you're upset…" she mumbled cheekily.

But even after seeing her mom she didn't hesitate to climb the stirrups and up onto his back. He backed up a bit almost like he'd drop her but she pet him for awhile. He wasn't used to being ridden and even though she was the only one who could ride him he sometimes put up a fuss. She usually buttered him up first but she didn't have the time. "Kagome get off that death trap. He's out of practice…and honestly you don't have time. We're going into the city."

Kagome ignored her mother petting Buyo and whispering comforting things.

"Kagome…"

"You're upsetting him…I'm not going anywhere today. I don't want to." She stated and her mom hesitated widening her eyes but Kagome didn't even wait for her response she just nudged Buyo who took a few wild steps back on his hind legs.

"Kagome please…don't ride that horse!" Her mom yelled, real concern and fear lining her voice. She didn't heed her warning though. She just nudged a bit more pulled on his ropes getting thrusted back a bit when he took off. "Kagome please…honey no…" Her mother called out but she was already gone. Riding towards the lake her hair flying behind her, she was afraid for a moment…but only for a moment. After awhile she realized he wasn't going to hurt her and she smiled relaxing her body forward into classic position.

"Good job buddy…you're doing so good…" She said happily. It didn't take long till the lake showed up off to the side but she had other plans. She steered him to the side and let him run onto the car trails. He was going so fast, her hair was ripping off into the wind. Her exposed skin was getting nipped by the cool morning air but she kept making him run faster and faster. The scenery changed, trees took over at every side, the road became bumpy but she didn't care, she just kept going. They entered the woods after awhile, cars could only go around fifteen miles per hour but she was easily going faster…

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"It's the books really I'd like you to check?" Her grandfather said and Inuyasha just nodded as he crept slowly down the unpaved trail. "We usually close around six or seven. At around five we can start mixing batches. I might let you in on some secret recipes." He said and Inuyasha gave him a feeble grin while running a frustrated hand through his face. Souta was in the open back forcing them to go slower than usual. He could hear them talking as he sat in the trunk. He couldn't help but mock his grandfather. He looked out in the distance at the valleys peering through the trees. He thought nothing of it till he saw someone riding a horse super fast off to their right. He furrowed his eyebrows, why would someone be riding on the car trails? There were horse trails that cut into town and some that didn't. It wasn't smart to drive the lumpy path designated for pickups and trucks. It was way too uneven, but the rider didn't care. He narrowed his eyes seeing long hair whip off into the wind, it was a woman. He found that odd, she was wearing shorts, even stranger. It wasn't until the coloring of the horse came into view did he widened his eyes and smile.

"GRANDPA GRANDPA!" He said hitting the back window. Inuyasha was knocked out of his tired daze. His grandfather looked up at him.

"What could you possibly need Souta?" He asked.

"Look to the right…Buyo…Kagome's riding Buyo…"

"Impossible…" Her grandfather said. But he turned and of course so did Inuyasha. So quick in fact that he almost hit a tree, but he realigned the truck and turned to his right. He didn't see a thing. No one running in the distance, he furrowed his eyebrows letting those pesky emotions simmer that ran rampage just at the thought of seeing her. He stared forward continuing to drive. "Souta you're a grown man now but you're still telling fibs to garner attention." Their grandfather said with a shake of his head.

"I'm not lying…she's right here." He said and Inuyasha kept forward for awhile. Her scent hit him before she did. His side of the car banged loudly and he turned to see her…the shock of his heart increasing beats hit him hard over masking the emotion of seeing her in all her flowing beauty. He knew Kagome to be a fairly clumsy woman but he never saw her so elegant as she turned with a bright smile on her face while riding that horse. He put his window down his own smile emerging.

"My stars…" her grandfather said in complete disbelief as he saw her. "Mr. Takashi you are in for a real treat. Kagome is one of the best riders in town." He said and he just shook his head so apparently happy. 'Of course she was…' "Kaggy what are you doing?" Her grandfather called out.

"I'm working in the shop…" She said cheekily with that huge beautiful grin still on her face. "Duh…"

"You're giving that horse some well needed exercise. He hasn't gone riding for six years at least." Kagome nodded knowingly. "You'll beat us to the shop going that speed." Her smile just widened. "Souta give her the keys…"

Souta smiled at his sister at that. "She'll drop it…she has butterfingers." He said but he didn't hesitate to throw the shop's keys at her. She caught it easily and stuck her tongue out. Inuyasha just laughed as both her brother and grandfather began clapping like crazy.

"I'll see you guys there!" She called out looking over at Inuyasha for a moment. She had that genuinely ecstatic grin on her face she only reserved for him. She kept it on her face a little longer then sped forward past the truck and off to the side back on the horse made trials. It didn't take long at all for her to just disappear.

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When they finally got there, Buyo was tied to a tree in the distance. The truck slowed down and Souta jumped from the back prematurely stumbling a bit but running towards the horse. Inuyasha watched him from the review a little shocked but he didn't voice anything. His Grandfather told him to park at the back of the store this time. So he happily did, unbuckled his seat belt and climbed out.

"Hey Buyo…haven't seen you out for some time." Souta said petting him. The horse didn't seem to care in the slightest. He kept turning away slightly and it made him turn each time to pet him.

"Souta stop playing with that horse before it decides to kick you in the arse." His grandfather said and Inuyasha just smiled before passing the keys to their grandfather. He walked forward in a hurry to see her. He didn't say anything polite or charming. He just walked towards the building and through the backside of the shop. There were no customers yet, it was passed five but no one lined the large second half of the cabin. Not even her…he didn't sense her either, his smile slightly faltered. Her grandfather came in after some time and looked around.

"Kagome opened up well…" he said and the mention of her made him look back. He didn't say much more though. He just looked around wanting to go to the other side of the store. See her…he very much wanted to see her. Why? He had no idea; well he knew why. Of course… he loved her, but why did he need to see her when he had just been with her an hour ago was beyond him. He walked further into the room going for the door ahead but he couldn't bring himself to go completely. He fumbled for a moment then turned around to see her brother come through the door as well.

"That horse is still mean as fuck…but he's all kinds of happy." He said with a slight smile shaking his head a bit.

"Souta go to the back and start getting out some of the shipments this place is going to be filled in a few minutes." His grandson's smile disappeared and he sighed passing both men and heading to the back. Inuyasha watched thinking maybe she was there but of course she wasn't. "Okay Mr. Takashi…Kagome's probably in the front she'll stay there for most of the day working on paper work. Why don't you join her…?" He felt his heart pick up speed happily. "I'll bring up some of my problem points. And then maybe around early afternoon we could use some man power to haul a few things."

"Of course…" He said, he was eager to be taken to her but he waited till her grandfather opened the door and stepped in. When he left he followed into the other side. He didn't see her right away, just all the cheesy knick knacks that lined the store. It wasn't until he entered and turned around did he notice her sitting on one of the stools behind the desk looking down at folders filled with paperwork. She had those glasses again sitting gorgeously with bounds of hair flowing down her shoulder. She narrowed her eyes and pulled them off when she heard the door open.

"Grandpa…your finances are all over the place. It's any wonder you know the lively hood of the shop with all this…" her words faded when she took in Inuyasha. Those emotions fluttered in and she looked away from her grandpa to him. He stood handsomely staring at her with that almost smile, hands in his pockets.

"I know bun that's why I'm so pleased you're here. Mr. Takashi can help you with any tricky spots." He said and her smile faltered. She looked back at her grandpa. She was so obviously upset by his words but she tried hiding them.

"I'm sure she'll be helping me with a majority of the problems." He said and it made Kagome look up. She let that smile come back and as soon as he saw it he crossed the room. He didn't care that her grandfather began talking. He just ignored him walked over to her feeling that need to bring his lips to hers. She was shocked by the vigor in his movements, she wanted to stand up and meet him halfway but she was frozen. She just sat staring at him. He took no time at all to slip into the seat next to her and frame her face with his hands and kiss her. She tensed but ultimately kissed back ferociously and her grandfather just stared for a moment before awkwardly leaving to the other side.

When he released her she panted for a slight moment then leaned closer to him. "I'm so sorry…" she said and the declaration confused him. "I should have told you the truth because I know you can always tell…you know… when I lie." She said and he just smiled. "It's just really hard. But it was the dream…it was a good dream but it turned bad…"

He smiled wider and put a hand to hers. "Don't worry honestly…you don't have to even tell me. If it makes you feel awkward." He lied, if Rin hadn't told him. He would have demanded her to tell. "I should be apologizing really…it was wrong for me to tell you that…to say I wanted…you know more." He stuttered and she just smiled moving to hug him.

"No it was okay it wasn't that…really I wanted more too." She whispered and the declaration surprised him. He wanted to ask 'really.' The idea heated him up, she wanted more. Did he still have to wait? He was about to voice his thoughts when she got up suddenly grabbing his hand. "Do you want to meet Buyo?" she asked. He wanted to very easily say no. What he wanted to do was talk to her finally, now that she seemed to be opened to it. But he saw that happiness on her face and he smiled nodding and rising from his spot. "He did so well today running. Usually I have to warm him up first, but I was trying to get away from my mom." She said quickly grabbing her knapsack and running out of a side door. He watched her go for a couple seconds before following. When he got out she was half way there, she undid her knapsack going for the apples. She pulled a piece out setting it on the floor for him to eat. She watched petting him happily. She only looked up when she saw Inuyasha coming.

He walked forward leisurely his hands in his pockets. Kagome just stared at him a smile on her face as he made his way towards her. She whispered things to the horse and when he caught wind of it he just smiled shaking his head…so weird. He stopped at the tail of the horse and stared at it. She kept stroking him and unlike Souta he wasn't turning away at her attention.

"So this is Buyo…" he whispered. He stepped forward a bit. "He's a beautiful horse…his coats beautiful." She looked up nodding eagerly as if she agreed.

"Yeah his coloration is just gorgeous." He took a step forward trying to put his hand on the horse but Kagome stopped him. "You have to be much more gentle…come around front so he can smell you first." He nodded going around. He stood aside as Kagome fed him another apple piece. "Give him one of these…" he picked a browning slice up and took a step forward. "Hi Buyo this is Inuyasha...he has a treat for you. He's really nice…" She whispered and he just smiled shaking his head once again. He moved in closer. "Talk to him…"

"Uh okay…hi… Buyo. Do you want an apple?" He asked pushing it forward and the horse bucked back almost like he didn't want to be touched.

"You have to be sincere…" He gave her a strange look but she was too focused on stroking him and whispering calming words.

"I thought I was being…uh sincere, but I'll just…hey Buyo…" He put the apple forward and he looked away again. He didn't do much else and Inuyasha sighed. "You know what Kagome…" She looked over at him. "I'm not good with animals. I don't really like them." He told her bluntly. She looked over at him knowingly.

"Yeah but he's not just a horse. He's really smart." She whispered and he nodded slightly going closer to her. He carelessly dropped the apple on the floor making the horse eat it off the ground and he put hands on her shoulders. She didn't seem to care though she was too into playing with her horse. He let it slide down her arms before kissing the nape of her neck. She looked up at that tensing. "Try uh…putting your hand near his nose so he can get a scent of you."

"I'm not too interested in that…" he whispered kissing her up towards her chin. She felt his hands wrap around her waist and she allowed him to kiss her for a moment longer before stepping forward.

"Okay…I know but uh…that can wait." She whispered. And of course he knew that much, they were outside for crying out loud but with her sometimes…he couldn't think straight. She grabbed her horse by the harness and pulled it closer to him. It shook its head violently and began shifting from foot to foot.

"I don't think he likes me Kagome." He said his arms still around her. He let her go slightly though.

"Yeah well he doesn't really like anyone." She said defeated and he had no idea why it meant so much to her that he met her horse. She was so passionate about it and she wanted the damn thing to like him so much. He just sighed loosened himself from her completely then grabbed the plastic bag in her hand getting an apple slice. He walked closer, the horse moving away. "Inuyasha…be careful."

"Trust me…" he said going closer and grabbing his head piece a bit roughly. "Hey…" he said as the horse whipped his head around. He let his hand rub down his neck scratching it a bit. He pushed the apple upwards and from the smell of it Buyo moved slightly and picked it up eating. He patted him a bit and he allowed it. Kagome just stood aside shocked.

"Wow…he likes you" she whispered and Inuyasha nodded a bit.

"Well not really but he'll tolerate me. He just needs a little tough love." He patted his neck and sighed. "We should probably get back in."

"Really tough love…" she went back petting him. "Are you sure…all I ever do is love him." She said hugging him but of course she stepped a little away she couldn't be too close. "And he responds well…" she shrugged backing away.

Inuyasha smiled. "I think that's because you're so damn lovable." He joked and it just made her smile." He reached up petting Buyo and to her surprise he didn't buck. He didn't move away either, he just passively allowed it.

"Yeah right…you're the lovable one. He's taking to you nicely." He shrugged casually. "Is there anyone that doesn't love you?" She whispered and there it was again that tone of voice that meant she truly believed it. She obviously thought the world of him and he had no idea why. He just smiled.

"He doesn't really love me Kagome…he loves you. He's just…he knows I'm not going to hurt him. Besides…" he sighed. "There's plenty of people who don't like me…for one your grandpa….and the other your brother." Kagome widened her eyes in shock.

"My grandpa adores you." She said incredulously. And he nodded though he didn't believe it. "And my brother…he's always been like that. I guess now he's just older." She said with a shrug and he didn't know what that really meant. "I guess he just feels threatened by you."

"By me…" he laughed. That didn't make any sense but he decided to ignore it. He walked closer to the horse petting it down its nose. Kagome smiled a bit at Buyo's reaction but a little jealous too. Inuyasha was just so damn perfect. Her mom thought he was insufferably smart, handsome, and unattainable. Her grandpa thought he was a walking talking business guru, someone a lot smarter than her that was for sure…now her horse. The one thing that only loved her and now he seemed to like him just as much right off the bat. She watched him for awhile.

"So how do you know about horses?" She asked and he turned around smiling a little.

"I uh…growing up where I did you'd be surprised. I know about a lot of things." He said with a smile and she raised eyebrows.

"You owned horses at the Takashi manor…"

He shook his head slightly. "We had an equine ranch in the country side. We didn't have it in our property exactly." He laughed a little at the memory. "Didn't really like them then either…but I had to learn how to ride. Played some polo…"

Kagome just stared at him and he turned to look at her. She had that look on her face. She thought he was perfect. He wanted to break her of that. He really did before it was too late. He decided not to go on about his life, he didn't want that look in her eyes anymore. "I feel like I don't know you too well." She whispered and he smiled.

"I'm not that interesting believe me…"

"Yeah right…" she said in disbelief. She gave the rest of the apples to Buyo and stood back. Inuyasha seemed done petting him. He wanted to cross the distance between them but Buyo moved his head up wanting to be petted more making him laugh. "Oh so now you like me…" he whispered and Kagome rolled her eyes a little.

Who didn't? He was perfect…she moved in a bit watching him steal her horse. Why was she feeling like this? With Inuyasha her emotions were upside down. She loved him to death, but she was sometimes too shy to be in his arms, and now what was this? jealousy. He turned to face her with that painfully handsome face and her envy disappeared completely. Her heart just filled with happiness. "I can't believe how much he likes you…" she whispered and he just laughed shocked himself.

A door in the back of the shop opened Souta coming out. "Hey…grandpa says he needs you in the front half." He called out and Kagome tore her eyes from Inuyasha's golden ones. It was an extremely hard feat but she managed to do it.

She looked over at Souta. "Hey…yeah we're coming in soon…but look... Buyo likes Inuyasha." She called out and the declaration seemed to shock her younger brother. He hung his mouth opened and took a few steps forward witnessing the horse getting stoked by him. He rolled his eyes a little.

"Oh look at that…what a surprise!" He called out sarcastically. "Now he's really perfect." Inuyasha looked up for a moment ultimately ignoring him but Kagome just stood stalk still. That was her sentiments exactly.

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Sorry for ending it over there! I hoped you liked it though!

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