Hey there kiddies! So, I apologize for not having a chapter for a long, long time, but college is demanding! It is finals week, so I probably won't be writing another chapter until after the madness is over. I will have tons of time to write during Christmas break because I'm getting my jaw busted, so I figure that I'll be writing a lot because I'll have nothing else to do. It might be kind of weird writing though because I'll be on pain killers, so if its not grammatically correct, give me some slack. Anyways, here's the eighth chapter!

Kagome slowly began to fall back into reality as the sunlight filtered into the once dark cave. She fluttered her eyelashes towards the beams of light, greeting them with a cute smile that formed on her lips. There were no nightmares last night for her; her dreams were fantastic, floating among the clouds, with InuYasha by her side…

Wait a minute… Where is he?

She lifted her head up to look around the cave, but no one was there. That's why it was so quiet in here, she thought to herself as she slowly sat up. A red kimono fell lightly across her lap and she realized that it was InuYasha's. She grabbed it lightly with her hands and wrapped her delicate frame in it. As she stepped outside the cave, she heard the wind whistling through the trees and saw the branches waving to her cheerily with the breeze. It came up and caressed her face gently and ruffled InuYasha's kimono around her legs. She still felt weak and shaky, but her strength was returning to her faster than she would have thought possible. Now she felt she could go out and collect some berries and nuts for her breakfast… or lunch, was it now?

As she began venturing into the bushes and shrubs surrounding the clearing, she ended up gathering a large handful of raspberries and blueberries for herself, enough for a satisfactory meal at least. She wandered back to the cave's entrance and sat outside of it, listening to the birds twittering in the treetops and the scampering of feet from the woodland animals. Each moment she savored, yet she listened intently for InuYasha's return as well. She was anxious to see him again, and yet at the same time she was nervous to see how he would act from now on. He had said that he loved her… just thinking about it sent shivers up and down her spine. She felt so much more… well, more like herself. She felt like a part of her soul had returned to her with his confession, as if she was incomplete before. Now, she was whole and completely happy, and it was all with InuYasha.

Kagome reached up and started to run her fingers through her hair, then realized that she hadn't taken a bath in a good week. The bubbling pool looked inviting, so she stepped nimbly into its depths. At first it was chilly, but as she tossed InuYasha's kimono on the side of the pool and lowered her body beneath the surface, it became pleasant to her skin. She dipped her head beneath the rippling waves and let the water envelop her entirely like a satin bed sheet. She massaged her head to try and remove some of the grime built up in her hair. Even though the water was colder than she would have liked, she still felt ten times better just by washing herself. It was like she was letting the last couple of days fall right off of her and float away with the waves. She didn't like how many cuts and bruises littered her body though. She felt like a piece of meat from the butcher's shop as she ran her fingers across several of the deeper wounds that had sealed themselves up. She just wanted to block out everything to do with Naraku right now; she didn't want to remember. Now that InuYasha had saved her, she didn't have to remember anything. He didn't want to know what had happened, and probably wouldn't want to know anyway. He'd be livid with fury and there'd be more of a chance of him transforming into a full demon. Yes, she decided to keep this secret from the rest. She'd just bury everything deep within herself and forget it ever happened. It didn't happen, nothing happened, he may have kidnapped me and beat me, but he didn't touch me further than that…

She emerged from the surface gasping for air and floated along to the edge of the pool where InuYasha's red kimono lay, still and immobile. She really wanted to go home for a few days, but with what was happening they'd need to meet back up with Miroku, Sango and Shippo soon. Then they'd probably keep hunting down the jewel shards and Naraku as well… As she wrapped the kimono around her waist, she had a feeling that it might be a while before she went back home.

Just as Kagome started a fire with some logs laying by the fire pit, InuYasha emerged into the clearing with a dead deer. He looked at Kagome with warm eyes and a small curve of his lips into a smile before walking over to the side to slice the deer into smaller pieces. Kagome's heart began to flutter the instant he entered the clearing. The smile was enough to melt her heart, but he didn't acknowledge her any further. Typical InuYasha…

The fire was roaring and snapping by the time InuYasha had the deer prepared. They proceeded to place it on long sticks and cook it kabob-style over the flames.

"If only we had some ramen…" InuYasha sulked as he ate his venison.

"That's all you can think about, ramen?"

He wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered softly into her ear, "That's not all I can think about…"

Kagome giggled girlishly and covered her mouth as he started to lick her ear and nibble at the edges. It sent electrical shockwaves up and down Kagome's back and she arched her neck in pleasure. He roamed down from her ear and began licking her neck, then whispered something she had desperately wanted to hear for the longest time.

"I want to make you mine forever. Will you be my mate?"

She turned to look at him, his eyes set on her. This was the one thing she had wanted to hear him say since she had met him, but now that he said it she didn't know what to think. She was eighteen, after all; why shouldn't she get married, or mated in his case? She was sure her mother wouldn't object to it; on the contrary, she might have expected something like this to happen. She was more worried about whether this would be a mistake or not.

"InuYasha… I love you… and…" she breathed heavily, trying to make out what the whizzing thoughts in her head were telling her. "…and yes. I want to be your mate."

InuYasha's face lit up and he was grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed her and kissed her passionately. She had said yes! She would be his for eternity, his alone. He could see their future lives pass before his eyes; their home in the forest, small but cozy, with three or four little hanyou pups running around their feet and Kagome expecting another, and they were happy…

He pulled away, smiling even wider at her, and she was returning the smile with as much fervor. He pulled her up into his lap and she laughed lightly while snuggling into his embrace. They watched the fire lick hungrily at the air above it and just sat there, silence overcoming both of them. They just let the moment take over, both wishing they could remain here forever.

Hope you all enjoyed it! Please review and keep reading my devoted fans! I love you all!!!

-Kim