Once InuYasha dropped Sango off, he pulled Kagome as close as possible, giving the middle console was in the way.

"InuYasha, I am not going to have sex with you."

"Not yet, but I've got my hopes up."

Driving off to her house, she saw the time and smiled.

"Say, how would you like to come have dinner with my family?"

"Your dad doesn't like me."

"He just hasn't gotten to know you. Please, Inu."

That look was so cute, so unbearably irresistible. Her eyes were round and pleading as she pouted.

"You stick that bottom lip out anymore, and I'm gonna bite it."

"Sounds kinky."

What?!

"Did you just…"

"I did. So, come up and eat with us."

Kagome got out and started walking up the steps, smirking when she heard InuYasha behind her.

"That was a dirty trick, Kagome."

"Learned from the best."

Once they made it to the door, Kagome held his hand and smiled.

"Here we go."

"I hope I can win him over."

Opening the door, Kagome announced that she was home, and watched her mom come around the corner, smiling at them.

"Well, looks like you two had fun today."

Kagome blushed as she nodded her head, running upstairs to take a quick shower and change. No way was she going to have dinner in her bikini.

This left InuYasha downstairs in the 'lion's den' as he drank some tea and sat, quite uncomfortably, with Kagome's mom and little brother.

"This is a nice house, Mrs. Higurashi."

"Thank you, InuYasha. It's been in my husband's family for many generations, passed down like a family heirloom. In fact, every generation of Higurashi has always had at least one person born with strong spiritual powers that would keep the grounds. I don't know if it is because of his ancestors, but this place has always felt peaceful, like the old grounds keepers are still taking care of it."

Gazing outside the window, Kagome's mom smiled softly.

"You see that tree, InuYasha? That tree has been here a long time and has become a part of our family. Many years ago, Kagome's father and I had a ridiculous fight and I ran off to sit under that tree. When he found me, we talked it out and then he proposed to me under it. There is something about being near the Sacred Tree that eases your mind and calms your spirit, giving you a clear head and heart."

He grinned a little as he watched the leaves dance in the wind.

"Does Kagome have a strong attachment to it like you do?"

"You could say she does. Kagome was always a quiet girl, and children can be quite cruel. Whenever I saw her playing under the tree in the afternoon, I knew someone had bullied her at school. Of course, when she turned fifteen and started to look more like a young woman, she was faced with a completely different situation."

"If you don't mind me saying, she's gorgeous. When we first met, I thought it was just outwardly, but knowing her now, she's beautiful inside and out."

Sota snickered, "that's just because you don't live with her. Trust me, my sis can be crazy sometimes, but I hear all girls can."

As they carried on their conversation, neither one paid any attention to the man listening at the doorframe, until he cleared his throat. They stopped and looked up at Kagome's father who was making his way to the other chair.

"Hello, InuYasha."

"Hello, sir."

"Tell me, do you find my daughter to be attractive, possibly even find yourself wanting to be physical with her?"

Mrs. Higurashi almost spit her tea out as she waited for InuYasha's answer. Sota stared wide-eyed at his dad, a little surprised by his brazenness.

"I do, sir."

A muscle worked in her father's jaw.

"Other than the money from your father, and being with my baby girl, what do you plan to get out of this?"

"I don't want to lie to you, sir. At first, the goal was to make her a conquest, but now the goal is to earn her trust and devotion, and eventually win her heart."

"You hope to win her heart? Why?"

"Because I can't stand for her not to like me. I want to do whatever it takes for her to agree to be with me for longer than just a year, and it's not because of the money…I really care about her."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled sweetly at the hanyou.

"Oh, InuYasha! If it helps you, I give my blessings."

"Blessings for what?"

Everyone turned around to the stairs as Kagome looked quizzically at them. She had donned a simple royal blue knee length spaghetti-strap dress and some dark blue flats.

Her mom stood up and succeeded in breaking the conversation.

"Is anyone hungry? I believe dinner is ready."

If InuYasha thought the grilling he got in the living room was bad, he couldn't have begun to fathom the grueling questions that came at dinner. Some things he didn't answer for Kagome's sake, and others, he tried to be as truthful as possible without putting himself in a bad light. Honest truth, he could have handled most of the questions with ease, but sitting next to Kagome, he found it hard to be so near and not touch her.

Kagome was feeling the same way as she ate her food with a blush permanently glued to her cheeks.

"Dad, can you please stop this now? He's a good guy and he makes me happy, so isn't that what matters most?"

Both men stared in shock at her declaration, so Kagome ignored them and continued eating. Mr. Higurashi sighed heavily, "I suppose she is right. She likes you, so I guess I can give you a chance."

He stuck his hand out and InuYasha eagerly shook it.

"Thank you, sir! You won't regret this."

"See to it I don't. You are your father's son, which is worrisome, but you are also your mother's, and that settles my fears."

Kagome silently thanked God for the mutual peace and bit her lip as she felt InuYasha's hand grip her thigh. Why did his hand on her bare flesh feel so incredible?

The rest of dinner was a blur for both of them as he relished in the feel of her warm skin quivering under his touch…she was aching for him, and she couldn't deny it even if she wanted to.

It didn't take long for her parents to let InuYasha know it was time to retire for the night, and Kagome walked him to the front door, nervous for some strange reason.

"I had a nice time, Kagome. If you're up for it, maybe we can have dinner at my house next time."

"I'd like that."

There was that ridiculously adorable demure face that made him want to ravish her. She was turned slightly away, but jerked her head forward when she felt him run his knuckles gently over her cheek.

"I'll see you tomorrow, babe."

Taking a deep breath, she quickly leaned up and kissed him. In shock, it took InuYasha a second to register what just happened, and wrapped his arms around her waist, doing his best not to move his hand further down to cup that round ass of hers.

All too soon, Kagome broke the kiss and looked down at his chest.

"I thought I should give you a proper goodnight, that's all."

Wriggling out of his arms, she moved to the door, gave him a big smile, and walked back inside. He squinted his eyes at the closed door and smirked.

"Perhaps I should give her my version of a 'goodnight', although it won't be so proper."

With that, he leaped up and into her open window.

I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far! I know it was short, but more will be coming. I promise that I will do my best to get chapters up, and I'm sorry it took so long this time. Work has been crazy.

Anyway, no flames please, and make sure to review! 😊