The next morning, Kagome stretched and smiled as she reached over for her love, but touched a cold pillow.
Panic set in. Where was he, did he even come back, or was it just a sweet dream to haunt the nightmare of her reality? Tears fell as she felt the familiar heartache. Why would God be so cruel as to give her such a wonderful dream?! She longed for him more than ever.
Suddenly, a frantic InuYasha, dressed in an apron, holding a spatula, with a scarf around his ears, came barreling into the room, looking back and forth for any danger.
"Kagome! Are you alright?!"
She didn't care how goofy he looked, getting out of bed, she ran over to him and held him tightly as she cried.
"I thought it was just a dream! I woke up and you were gone!"
Smirking, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"I told you, I'm not going anywhere."
"I know, but you weren't here, and I was scared."
Gesturing to his attire, he grinned, "I thought you might like some breakfast before class."
Shaking her head, she reached up and kissed him, making them shiver with want. Breaking the kiss, InuYasha rubbed his nose against hers, satisfied to hear light giggles from her. He preferred anything over her tears.
That's when his dad's voice interrupted them from downstairs.
"InuYasha!"
Taking a whiff, he groaned, "ah, man! I think I burned breakfast."
Smiling, Kagome tweaked his ear, "it's okay, Inu. We'll just eat out for breakfast."
"I guess so."
Watching her walk over to the closet, he smirked as the temptation to touch her round bottom become too much! As Kagome sifted through her clothes, she felt a hand, palm and squeeze her butt!
"InuYasha!"
He chuckled as he sensed her arousal. Who knew the courting was going to make him so in tuned with her emotions?
"Sorry, Kagome, but you can't hide your reactions from me anymore, we're too connected now."
Blushing, she thought for a second, "is that why I can't get sex and ramen off my mind?"
He gave her a devilish grin, "or maybe you're becoming more like me."
"Yeah, right! Now I know how to tell your thoughts from mine."
They were silent for a moment, until Kagome slapped is arm.
"I heard that in my head, Inu!"
Chuckling, he left her to get dressed and walked into the kitchen, seeing his mom attempt to clean up the mess he made. They hadn't spoken since he came back, and InuYasha couldn't stand the angry silence radiating from her.
"Hey, Mom, can I help?"
Instead of answering, she scooted over to give him room at the counter while she washed dishes. The silence became deafening to him, but Izayoi was suffering too, and unable to keep it in.
"Why did you do it, son?"
"I left to make things right."
"But you didn't just leave Kagome… you left all of us."
She handed him dishes to wipe down and put up. InuYasha took them and spoke as he wiped.
"What other choice did I have? No one should have to suffer for my mistakes, and Kagome is too sweet and kind to get such hateful phone calls. Everyone said that I seemed more grown up, but what kind of adult would I be, no what kind of man would I be if I didn't do something about it? Would I have been a man worthy of being with her if I couldn't protect her from it?"
Turning the water off, Izayoi put her hand on the counter, "I suppose not, but your note sounded like 'good-bye' instead of 'see you later'. You left for good reason, but the pain you caused everyone, especially Kagome… I will welcome you with open arms, just know to never do that again, because there won't be a welcome back if you do. Understood?"
"I understand, Mom. I didn't think of the damage my leaving would cause, but I'm happy to know that you've taken Kagome in as family."
"What else could I have done, since I knew she would be my daughter-in-law one day."
Smirking, InuYasha turned to her, "how did you figure that out?"
"Oh please! I knew the first day I met her. That inner light of hers is infectious, and I knew she would be the perfect ying to your yang."
"That motherly instinct makes you too smart for your own good, Mom."
Leaning in, he gave her the biggest and warmest hug. Izayoi teared up as she gripped her son tighter.
"Welcome home."
"Thanks, Mom. It feels so good to be back."
Letting him go, she wiped her eyes, "now, go get your girl some breakfast."
InuYasha grinned and saluted her, "yes ma'am!"
Kagome sat across from her love in the small-town diner, feeling uncomfortable since InuYasha hadn't stop staring at her since they got there.
"Do I have something on my face?"
Leaning back, InuYasha regarded her intently, "when are you gonna tell me about what's been happening to you?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't give me that! I didn't bring it up last night, because we had some things to discuss and mend our relationship, but now I want to know everything."
Before Kagome could speak, the waitress came by with their orders. As soon as she left, InuYasha glared as he waited for an answer, crossing his arms impatiently.
Hanging her head in defeat, Kagome took a sip of her coffee and ate her eggs before speaking.
"It started about four months ago. I had just finished my last class of the day, and was on my way home when I felt someone behind me. They waited until I was walking down the street alone before pulling me into some bushes."
She took another sip of coffee and InuYasha could see her hands trembling. Reaching out, he cradled her small delicate hand in his, "go on."
"He started ripping my clothes and kissing my neck while gagging me with his other hand, so I couldn't scream. If it hadn't been for Bankotsu, I'm quite certain I would have been raped, but turns out he was following as well, and knocked the guy off."
Taking a deep breath, she lifted her eyes, "from that day on, he tried to protect me, even your brother, but somehow the men were still finding me when I was most vulnerable. I've been attacked ten times now, but without the demon worm charmer out to do whoever's bidding, they can't control anyone to hurt me anymore."
Angry was not a good enough word, InuYasha was enraged and slammed his fist on the table, creating a splintering whole.
"It's my fault this happened to you. I should have come home sooner, but I had a few more women to make amends with."
Kagome placed her hand over his fist, "it's okay, Inu, because I'm fine. They never got very far, and you're here now…that's what matters."
Tears welled in her eyes, "last night was the first time in a whole year, that I slept with no nightmares, and it's because you were with me."
"nightmares about what?"
"Waking up and realizing that I was never saved from Naraku. Feeling completely alone and helpless as he leered at me, getting ready to hurt me for his pleasure."
Getting up, InuYasha moved into the booth, next to her, and wrapped her in his arms.
"That bastard is dead, and you never have to worry about him again."
"I know, and your parents are paying for therapy to help me with this. Believe it or not, I've actually come a long way."
"Of course, you have. You're the strongest human I know, so you can get through this, but you also have me to help in whatever way I can."
Kagome cupped his cheek and leaned her head up, thrilled when he pressed his lips onto hers. She was trying very hard to keep it G-rated, but an intense feeling, deep in her gut, urged her on to eagerly take his mouth as she delved her tongue in and rubbed sensually onto his.
InuYasha wasn't doing much better as he heated at her touch, scorching a trail of fire as she worked those skillful fingers under his shirt. He moaned, and stilled, suddenly aware that they were around too many people right now, and pushed her away.
"Damn, Kagome, I don't want to take you on the table, but you're seriously tempting me too."
Whining in her throat, she pouted as his warmth was taken away, "Inu, I can't help it. I want you so bad right now."
Squeezing his eyes shut, he tried to keep 'big Inu' in check as he bit his bottom lip.
"Kagome, this has to be part of the courting. We have to keep control, so don't say things like that unless you want me take your virginity right now."
Taking deep calming breaths, she forced her brain to work again. She nodded and smiled as he helped her out of the booth, leaving a couple of hundred dollars to repair the table he damaged, then made their way to his truck. At least, that was the plan, but InuYasha had to get her back.
Kagome moved to open the passenger door, but InuYasha came up behind her, gripping her hips and kissing a hot trail up to her ear, nibbling it gently. Closing her eyes, she felt his raging desire eagerly reaching out to her center, and turned around, slamming their mouths together as he stoked the fire in her. He lifted her legs to go around his waist and ground his desire into her heated core, pleased to hear whimpers and moans coming from his woman.
It was going too far, and they both knew it, but how could they stop the passion that lay dormant for a whole year?
"Hey, InuYasha! What are you up toooo?"
That stopped them as they looked over to see Miroku and Sango staring in shock at their display. Looking back at each other, InuYasha smirked as he put her down, keeping his hand on her waist to steady her, before turning back to his friend he hadn't seen in so long.
"Hey, Miroku! Long time no see, bro!"
The dark-haired boy grinned as he walked them over, Sango blushing a deep shade of red that could rival the ripest strawberry. When Kagome regained her strength, she walked over to Sango and gave her a hug.
"Are you on the way to class as well?"
"Of, course, but it didn't look like you were going to make it to class at all."
Kagome turned red and hid her face, "I don't know what came over us."
"I do."
The cute brunette moved Kagome's hair aside to look at the mark, "you started courting…finally. Well, that explains it."
The girls walked across the street to their University as Miroku leaned against Inu's truck, eyeing the embarrassed hanyou.
"So, InuYasha, if we hadn't come up, just what would you have been doing to dear, sweet, innocent Kagome?"
Grinning, the hanyou shrugged, "making her 'not so innocent' anymore."
Chuckling, Miroku elbowed his friend, "well, I'm sure you've heard it all from the other men that care about her, but you don't know what she's been through and, friend or not, I'll kill you if you ever do something so stupid like that again. No more leaving, capiche?"
"No more leaving, but I have to do something…will you join me?"
"Why not?"
They both got into his truck and drove off, leaving the girls to their classes, no longer worried about something happening to Kagome.