Aloha! It's me Hareyu! Again I'm sorry for not posting in awhile. And this chapter is an early Christmas present to all my readers! So:

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters.

Character thoughts

Other side's thoughts

Chapter 23: In their minds , and some hard questions to answer

Inuyasha and Kagome had been walking for several hours until Inuyasha let go of her hand, when they'd come to a clearing surrounded by cherry blossom trees.

"Um…a ….K-K-Kagome?"

" Yes Inuyasha ?"

"I …. Need to ask you something." Inuyasha said, his voice cracking in his nervousness.

" Shoot" Kagome said happily .

Ask her already !

Don't rush me !

You're an idiot , Ask Kagome already! She'll probably say yes.

And she also might say no!

Well if she does , you'll just have to win her

Wait , what do you mean me! You're gonna help!

Oh I thought you didn't want me to.

Right , well here goes nothing. but she will say no to me, I'm a half breed.

She's a halfbreed now too, so if you keep insulting yourself , your insulting her.

Inuyasha nodded mentally before clearing his throat and said ," Kagome … willyoubemymate?"

"What?" She replied .He took a deep breath , and said again," willyoubemymate?" He had said this faster than he had the last time he'd asked.

"What? Your speaking to fast. Calm down ok?" She said , her eyes belaying the concern that failed to come from her voice." Kagome," He started again ,"will … you … be… my …MATE" He screamed the last part at her. She stood there , her face seemingly coated with a thick coat of shock.

Say no.

What ? why?

Because , how does he deserve you?

He doesn't deserve me… he … he … is entitled to me

No he's not.

Yes he is.

No he's not .

Yes he is.

No he's not, he ran off to Kikyo before, without a wisp of care for your feelings.

But…

No but's , you may have forgiven him , but I haven't.Your mate needs to be as loyal to you as you are to him.

Oh … but still, He looks like his heart would break if I said no.

Well then say no.

No I couldn't do that to him,

You just said no to me , and besides , I bet that he'll try to win you back. And if you don't say no .I'll do it for you.

Fine I'll do it.

Good.

" Inuyasha… I'm sorry but no. Inuyasha … I "

His nervous face faulted , for a second before his normal façade was brought to the surface. " no It's fine , I understand ; you don't want to be with a half breed." What happened next shocked him . " What are you talking about?! Maybe I don't want to be your mate because you talk yourself down! And news flash ; I'm a hanyous too! So maybe , If you had self respect , I would say yes!" With that she stomped off, back the way they'd came.

Inuyasha stood there in shock.

See , I told you she'd say no.

She didn't say no, her youkai side did. It wants to see if we're suitable enough to be their mate.

How can you possibly know that?

Youkai are more stable and easier to read than humans are, plus I saw the glint in her eyes, that was her youkai side.

Ok. So what do we do now?

We wait, till the time is right.

For what?

For when she's alone , or , just when we have an opportunity to show her our skills.

Right .

So let's get going, we have a lot to do.

Ok.

With that last thought, he ran the opposite in the direction as Kagome.

XXXXxxxxxxxXXX with Kagome (night)xXXXXXXxxx

" haaaaa! This feels great!" Sango exclaimed as she and Kagome walked into a hot spring.

" yeah!" Kagome agreed . A satisfied 'mew' was all that came from their furred companion.

After a while of relaxing, Sango asked, " Kagome… have you seen Inuyasha around here today?" She saw Kagome visibly stiffen at the question.

" yeah, I saw him earlier . He asked me something." The female hanyou replied.

" well … what'd he ask you?"

" to be his mate." Kagome said nonchalantly , in a small voice. Sango's mouth dropped ." wha- what'd you say?" she asked nervously . " no… I said No."

Then ,there was nothing but silence .

XXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXxxxxxx

How was that? I hope it was long enough . I got the idea from a reviewer , I thought it was cool so there it is, but It's not finished yet, so the next one is going to be longer.bye! please R&R

- hareyu