Disclaimer: Not mineeee

wk: Yeah... Been a while, folks. But like I said in, "Don't Touch that Dial: 102.5 FM is Back!", I'll be updating more frequently now... Hopefully. (Grins)

Chapter Five
Kiss Me

Kagome woke up with a start, pulling herself out of a nightmare. Dogs and wolves, all of them ripping each other apart while trying to get to her, were chasing her. It was bloody, gory, and completely disconcerting because she knew the symbolism behind it.

Kagome scratched an itch on her back as she shuffled to her bathroom. She flicked on the light and screamed.

Kouga was standing there, dripping wet and a towel around his waist. "Did you know your shower only has cold water?" Kouga asked sheepishly.

"It does not!" Kagome growled, averting her eyes and stepping out of the bathroom. "When the heck did you come in here?"

"While you were sleeping, duh," Kouga said mildly, raking his wet hair back with his claws.

"I thought I told you off-limits! You could have at least asked me when I woke up!" Kagome sighed out, exasperated.

"I didn't want to wake you. You seemed so peaceful…" Kouga smiled, as if remembering her face.

"You looked at me while I was asleep? Weirdo," Kagome hissed. "Get out! Now!"

Kouga sighed, gave Kagome a pout, but she only pointed her finger out the bedroom door. He obligingly left, and Kagome locked the door. Not that it would do any good, since he knew how to pick locks with his claws, but she knew he wouldn't unlock a locked door. Not in her house.

Grumbling under her breath as she went into her bathroom, she started to brush her teeth when she saw something on the counter. She lifted it, and saw that it was Kouga's underwear.

Groaning and dropping it disgustedly, she kicked it away, her mouth full of toothpaste. Cursing him through foam, she viciously brushed her teeth until her gums were bleeding. She glanced at the shower, and fumed once more in a string of curses that were (thankfully) indecipherable. She felt strange, showering in a stall that a man had just come out of. She took her clothes off, double-checked the lock on the bathroom door, and gingerly stepped into her shower. Making a face, she turned the water on, and sighed as the soothing hot water washed her.

After her shower, she felt a lot mellower, and she was ready to forgive. She didn't believe for a second his shower was only producing cold water, but she would forgive him nonetheless and prove to him that there was hot water.

Besides, he could use a couple of cold showers. When she changed into a pinstripe suit and put on her glasses (Her eyes weren't so bad that she needed them, but she thought she looked intellectual in them. And the optometrist told her that her eyes were a tad off), she stepped out of her room. When she was hit with the scent of coffee, she knew she was ready to forgive.

"Sorry I used your shower this morning. I know it seems strange that my shower is not giving out hot water, but…" He gave another sheepish grin. He held out a plate, and when Kagome looked at it, there was a bagel with cream cheese already spread on it. When she grabbed it, he gave her a thermos.

"It has coffee in it, since you'll probably drink some during work. This is a lot better than what they probably have in those teacher lounges, anyway." Kagome stuffed the bagel in her mouth, having difficulty swallowing. She was nodding enthusiastically.

When she had managed to force down the bagel, she grinned at him. "I was mad at you about something before I came out here. If you give me another bagel, I just might forget altogether…" she waggled her eyebrows, and he laughed, handing her another plate. "You know, you'd make a great housewife," Kagome mumbled, nibbling on her bagel. She was a bit more careful not to try to swallow the entire thing this time. Kouga gave her a strange look, one that had her looking at him curiously. It was… longing?

"Well, off to work. Thanks for breakfast. I'll treat you out one day." Kagome grabbed a book bag (she found that this was a lot more practical than a suitcase), and went outside. Pausing, she took the cap off the thermos and inhaled the good, addictive aroma of coffee. Taking a sip, she gave an appreciative moan, and started for her car. When she looked to her right, she found Inuyasha outside, staring at her. It was like being caught by some kind of hypnotic gaze. She was frozen in her tracks like a deer caught in the headlights. She thought his gaze was just as deadly as an oncoming car. She would just have to avoid being hit.

Slowly, carefully, she walked towards him. Inuyasha's stare became wary, and she paused. Why the hell was he being so cautious? She felt like she should have been the one turning and running. Kagome walked over to him, tipping her face up to look up at him.

Taking a sip of her coffee, she only stared back at him. She knew that if there were anyone else looking at them right now, it would have been strange. A man and a woman were staring at each other with such intensity, but they weren't doing anything.

Kagome cleared her throat, and Inuyasha seemed to snap out of it. "Hi," he finally said.

"Hi," Kagome replied, taking another sip of her coffee. She put the lid carefully back on, since she didn't want to drink it all right now. "Why are you being so weird right now?"

"I'm… thinking," Inuyasha said slowly.

"Oh… That's new, isn't it?" Kagome said, smiling teasingly. The tension seemed to ease some, and he smirked at her.

"Why… Do you know anything about thinking?" Inuyasha retorted. Kagome scowled at him.

"More than your thick head does." Kagome glanced at her watch, and Inuyasha blinked, taking in the rest of her. He had been deep in thought, and the moment Kagome had stepped out, he had stared at her as if she was some kind of anomaly. He had been focused on her face, the way she closed her eyes in bliss when she had sipped her coffee. When she began walking towards him, he had automatically stiffened. He felt as if some kind of bubble had burst.

Now, he looked at the rest of her, and lust was suddenly there, roaring through his veins. She looked hot in that suit, and he had never seen her in glasses. She seemed prim, but her hair was loose, offsetting the strict look. Her lips were slightly wet, and her scent drifted to him. He inhaled deeply, and knew that he was in deep trouble.

"Well, I might be late, so I'll—" Kagome was interrupted as she was suddenly in an embrace. Her head slightly reeling, she leaned back to tell him that she didn't appreciate being manhandled. However, as soon as she opened her mouth, his lips fitted over hers, teasing, caressing. Kagome hung loosely in his grip, glad that he could easily shift her weight onto his. Her fists were clenched in the fabric of his shirt, and she was easily carried away by his devastating kiss.

Despite the roaring hunger in both their bloods, Inuyasha kept the kiss soft, lingering just to taste her flavor. When he pulled away, Kagome was the only thing on his mind, and he shook his head as if to clear it. He watched Kagome lick her lips, and her hands were still in his shirt. Her eyes were closed.

"Wow," she said, opening her eyes. Her eyes had darkened, and Inuyasha nearly suggested going into his house.

"I like your suit," Inuyasha said, putting his hands in his pockets to keep them to himself. Ravishing her in public was not a good idea.

"I can tell," Kagome said seriously, running her hands down the suit to smooth out the wrinkles. She cleared her throat. "I better go before…" she trailed off.

"Before you're late?" Inuyasha supplied. Kagome nodded, a bit lightheaded.

"Yeah. That…" Inuyasha grinned at her, and put his hands on her shoulders. He kissed her again, just a light brush of the lips this time.

"I'll see you later. I'll take you out tonight. And you'll let me pay this time, too."

"Uh-huh," Kagome murmured, nodding her head. Inuyasha grinned, seeing this as a personal victory.

Kagome stumbled back to her car, realizing that she still had her thermos in her hand, and she looked towards her own house guiltily before getting into her car, shaking her head. Kouga wasn't her keeper. She had no reason to feel guilty. Right?


Inuyasha watched her go with a kind of satisfied sigh. He wiggled his toes in the grass, saw an ant crawl across one of his toes. One of ears twitched towards his house. Miroku's cell phone was ringing. He heard an accompanying thud as Miroku undoubtedly fell out of "bed."

"Stupid humans," Inuyasha muttered as he moved to go inside. Before he could go inside however, a disgusting smell assailed his nostrils. He turned, already bristling.

"I thought I told you to stay away from her, dog-shit," Kouga snarled. "Kagome's mine. I was her first!"

"And I'll be her last!" Inuyasha growled, stepping up. Kouga's hackles rose.

"Keep your damn paws off of her, dog-shit!" Kouga hissed. Inuyasha didn't say anything, just turned his back to him and walked into the house. Inuyasha was surprised at himself. Walking away from fights wasn't usually what he did.

He slammed the door, and Miroku peered at him from over the arm of the sofa. His cell phone was on his face, and Miroku looked serious for someone who had just woken up.

"Yeah. No, that was just Inuyasha. Yes. We'll be there in a few minutes." He hung up. He looked at Inuyasha. "Miss Hara wants us to meet her today at the hospital. She says she has a request for us."

"A request? As in, she wants a favor from us?" Inuyasha frowned. "Did she tell you what?"

"No, Inuyasha, she did not. Now hurry up. Let's go." Miroku paused as he started to get up. "Were you talking to someone outside? I thought I heard yelling."

"It was no one," Inuyasha growled, his anger coming back to him in a wave. He wanted to wring that stupid wolf's neck! To throw the fact that Kouga had made love with Kagome in his face…

Why had he fought to keep himself in check? Why hadn't he just pounded that stupid face in?

He had no idea. Maybe he was just trying to stay on Kagome's good side. Starting shit with her ex was not exactly the best idea. Still... The yearning to see the wolf's face cave in from his fist was most alluring.

"Inuyasha! Hurry up! I'm ready to go!" Miroku called from the living room.

"Oy! At least brush your teeth! That's pretty gross, man!" Inuyasha retorted. Miroku came into Inuyasha's room, glaring.

"I was going to, but if I'm not correct, you're the one that usually takes the longest to go. While you get ready, I brush my teeth. Remember?" Miroku asked through gritted teeth. Inuyasha grinned. One way to piss Miroku off was suggest his hygiene was not that great.

Grunting, Miroku pushed past him into Inuyasha's bathroom. Since Miroku stayed over so often, he had an extra toothbrush there.

Inuyasha pulled out slacks and a crimson button-up shirt. He changed, and went to retrieve his jacket. He looked yearningly at his leather jacket, and wished that fall and winter would come sooner so that he could wear it again.

Instead of the leather, he put on a much lighter jacket to compensate for the heat. When he stepped out of his closet, Miroku was ready to go, impatient with him.

Miroku winced when they got outside and he saw Inuyasha's state car.

"Let's just use my car. I just look at your car and it hurts my insides."

"It's not my fault they give me a shitty car," Inuyasha murmured, but went towards Miroku's car.

Miroku's car wasn't flashy, but was a solid, dependable truck.

"Why don't they give me a car like this?" Inuyasha whined. Miroku rolled his eyes.

"Gee, maybe it's because you crash every other car they give you."

"I do not," Inuyasha scoffed. Miroku again rolled his eyes. "Okay, maybe one or two."

"I think the records would say something different," Miroku stated dryly.

They drove to the hospital, and Inuyasha sighed as they got on the elevator.

"You know, I was excited about this case at first. Now, I think I might actually quit my job," Inuyasha said. Miroku gave him a sidelong glance, knowing Inuyasha wasn't serious. This job was their lives. And Inuyasha just wouldn't be able to handle it if he quit. He would go crazy and become a criminal himself.

"Go right ahead," Miroku drawled. Inuyasha scowled at him.

"I see how much you care."

"Well, you've been saying stuff about quitting since you started. That was… what… five years ago?"

"No! …More like four…"

"Oh, that's so much better."

"Yeah, it is! That's three hundred and sixty-five days! Times four!" Inuyasha grinned triumphantly as if he had won the argument. Miroku only rolled his eyes.

When they reached Sango's room, all banter and jokes stopped. When they stepped into the room, they were both deadly serious.

Sango was lying there, staring out the window. Inuyasha thought he heard Miroku's breath catch, but wrote it off as his imagination when Miroku cleared his throat lightly to get Sango's attention. The young woman turned her head wearily, as if that small action cost her too much energy. When she saw them, she struggled to sit up. Miroku quickly went over to her side to help her up. She gave him a thankful glance, and sat back against the pillows.

"I'm sorry I called you both out here. It's just… I thought it would be impersonal if I asked a favor of you over the phone." Sango took a breath. "I simply wanted to ask if one of you, or both of you, would look over Kirara while I'm in the hospital. I'm not sure the state handlers will be able to care for her, since they're mostly human. I can't have anything happen to Kirara, and I would feel so much better if it was one of you that was taking care of her instead. She'd be safer that way, as well."

Miroku winced and sighed. "I can't take care of her, since I live in apartments. And I can tell you right now that pets aren't allowed."

Sango turned hopeful eyes to Inuyasha. Inuyasha scowled. "It'll be a hassle," he said. Miroku gave him a deadly look, and Sango quickly cast her eyes downward.

"Please," she whispered, and Inuyasha wished he could have kicked himself in the head. Hadn't she gone through enough? Why was he being so cruel to her? "I'll pay you once I'm out. She's all I have left. She can't…" Sango trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

"I don't want your money," Inuyasha said, scowling. Sango shut her eyes, obviously trying to fight tears. "Oy, don't get all weepy. I'll take care of your cat," Inuyasha said gruffly. Sango turned wet eyes up to him, gratitude clearly in their depths. Miroku, however, only had murderous intent written all over his eyes. Inuyasha sighed. His big, stupid mouth had decided to give Sango a harder time than necessary.

Wasn't this the problem with him? He was all prickly thorns when all he wanted to do was sympathize and help.

Dammit. He would have to cut those damn thorns if he was going to have any kind of normal relationship with people. Miroku didn't count. Miroku was a mighty strange one himself. And Kagome… Well, he would figure it out as time crept by.

"Where is she being kept right now?" Sango told him, and Inuyasha filed away the information in his brain. Miroku stared intently at Sango, who didn't seem to notice.

"Okay. I'll go pick her up today. Tomorrow, at the very latest. Listen, I'll do you this favor if you do me one."

Sango looked up at him, clearly surprised. Tension and apprehension seemed to fill the air. Inuyasha felt Miroku's glaring, burning eyes on him, tearing mental holes through him. Inuyasha nearly flinched from Miroku's murderous stare.

"I'll take care of Kirara as long as you get better quickly so you can take her off of my hands," Inuyasha said gruffly, his voice harsh. Still, the underlying message was clear: Get better soon. Sango relaxed, her lip twitching with a small smile. Miroku relaxed as well, giving Inuyasha a look that clearly stated that if Inuyasha had said something to make Sango more distressed, Inuyasha's hide would have been mounted on his wall.

"Okay. I will," Sango said softly.

"All right then. Miroku, keep her company, will ya? And give me your car keys." Miroku tossed them to him, and Inuyasha left without a backwards glance.

He got into the truck, and felt the rumble of the engine. Seriously, why couldn't the police department have given him a car like this? Solid, dependable…

He was solid and dependable… Right?

He made his way to the veterinarian center, where Sango said Kirara was being held. Kirara mewed loudly when she saw him, and Inuyasha handled all the papers and showed his badge where appropriate. Kirara seemed to be better, although she handled her right forepaw with caution.

"Did you hurt it in your fight, or did these jerk-offs treat you badly?" Inuyasha asked the demon cat. Kirara only mewed, her eyes hardening. "Was it the one that hurt your masters?" Kirara was silent, but Inuyasha saw the fur bristling at the cat's neck.

"Do you want to see Sango?" At the mention of Sango, the fur smoothed out and Kirara seemed excited, mewing and trying to push itself up further in Inuyasha's arms. "Okay, okay. But you have to be quiet, so I can sneak you in." Inuyasha went back to the hospital, talking to Kirara the entire way. Well, except for a brief interlude when the chief had called him to tell him some of his new orders and to ask for an update.

When he arrived at the hospital, he told Kirara, "I bet Miroku's still in there with your mistress. He seems to be smitten with her. Wanna bet they're gonna end up married with ten kids?" Kirara ruffled her fur and mewed. "Yeah, he's probably not worthy of her. But what man is?"

He thought of Kagome, and briefly thought if he was "worthy" enough for her. Then he thought of someone else being with her, and he knew he didn't care. Call it selfish, but he didn't want to see her with anyone else. Not while he still hadn't gotten her out of his system yet.

When they went inside the hospital, Inuyasha deposited Kirara into the inside pocket of his jacket. "If they ask, you're a cute, fuzzy gun, and I'll just show my badge. No noise or moving now." Kirara could have been a rock for all she moved in his pocket. Inuyasha made a few nodding movements towards nurses, and headed for the elevator. A few people noticed the telltale bump on his chest, but he placed his badge on his belt for everyone to see and no one bothered him.

When he stepped into Sango's room, he didn't see Miroku anywhere. Sango brightened when she saw him.

"Did you get her?" Sango asked. There was suddenly a mew and lots of movement inside his jacket as Kirara fought to get out of his pocket.

"Oy! If you rip my jacket, I'm gonna be pissed!" Inuyasha hissed. Kirara climbed out when he opened his jacket. Kirara hopped onto the bed and ran into Sango's outstretched arms. When Inuyasha saw the tears starting to form in Sango's eyes, he turned his head to the side uncomfortably. Emotions—happy or otherwise—made him antsy. Thankfully, Sango seemed to be able to rein in her tears, and she thanked Inuyasha profusely while petting Kirara. "I thought you might want to see her, since the doctors say you're gonna be in here for a few more weeks."

"A few more… weeks?" Sango asked, blinking. Inuyasha nodded.

"They want to make sure that you're emotionally able and physically able." Sango's expression darkened. "And you had a pretty serious concussion. They want to make sure everything is okay with that and that you don't have any internal bruising. Also…" Inuyasha paused. When the chief had called, it was to tell Inuyasha to deliver to Sango some of the news she would undoubtedly hear. Inuyasha sighed. He had to do all the dirty work.

"Your parents… Their remains…" Sango stiffened. Inuyasha continued. "Their remains are going to go through autopsy, and we can preserve their bodies, until you can attend their funerals. Or cremations. It's really all up to you. And my chief also informs me that your lawyer has been trying to reach you. It seems he's come here, but he's been turned away by you. Lawyers don't usually turn to cops for help, but this one seems to want to talk to you badly."

"I know," Sango growled. Then she sighed. "Thank you, for telling me about my parents. I'll speak with my lawyer when I feel I can handle it. If you could relay that information to him, please tell him to just leave his number and I'll call him back… later."

Inuyasha nodded. He looked around the room. "Where's Miroku?" He saw Sango's blush, and he immediately knew.

"Damned pervert groped me," Sango said, flushing furiously red. "I kind of… slapped him. He apologized and said he would get some—"

"Coffee!" Miroku announced, coming into the room, handling two cups of steaming coffee. He gave one cup to Sango, noting the demon cat purring on the bed as Sango petted her. Sango refused to look at Miroku. Miroku acted as if he didn't notice, grinning like the idiot he was.

Before Miroku could take a sip from his own cup, Inuyasha snatched it, taking a long sip.

"Thanks, partner. Didn't know you cared," Inuyasha drawled, grinning. Miroku gave him a dirty look.

"I don't. Now give me my coffee!" Inuyasha easily held off Miroku, drinking with his other hand. When Inuyasha was done, he threw the paper cup at Miroku, who caught it while pouting.

"You're such a beast. You know I can't function without my daily dose of caffeine!" Miroku wailed. Inuyasha saw Sango's lopsided smile, and relaxed a little more. It would take a lot more time and a lot more effort to make Sango heal, and he knew Sango would never be completely okay. No one would be, if they had to watch their family murdered by their own sibling. Still, during that time, she could learn to laugh again. He wondered who would be up to the job. He glanced at Miroku, who was pretending to be crying over his empty Styrofoam cup.

Nah.

"Thanks," Sango said softly from the bed, rubbing Kirara's belly. "For getting Kirara."

"Duty called," Inuyasha replied, a little embarrassed. "Keh. All you weak humans need so much defending." Even as the words left his mouth, he wanted to stab himself. He saw Sango stiffen, and he mentally stabbed himself.

"Keh." Inuyasha looked away. "I'm gonna leave now. Kirara, let's go." The cat rolled over and reluctantly left her melancholy mistress. Inuyasha deposited Kirara into his inside pocket again, and ignored Miroku's dirty look.

He went outside, closing the door behind him. Feeling as if he was spying but not really caring, he swiveled his ears towards the door. "…how he shows he cares. Don't worry too much about what he says. That big-mouth will say anything to keep his bad boy persona intact."

"Not much of a person if you ask me," Sango said, and Inuyasha winced. "And he seemed so nice earlier…"

"No, really. He means well… He just… has a hard time showing it around people he doesn't really trust." Inuyasha turned his head away guiltily and started to walk away. He didn't want to hear that about himself. He was tough, dammit.

When he got home, he tossed Miroku's keys on the counter, and let Kirara roam around. The cat demon walked around each room, determining its smells and making sure it knew its way around.

"No piddling in the house. I'll lay out some newspapers if you really need to go, but you scratch on the door if you need to go." Kirara mewed indignantly at this, as if she was being reduced to the status of a mere house pet. Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Accidents happen." Kirara ignored this statement, continuing her search through the house.

Inuyasha made some lunch/dinner, and settled on his couch. Just as he propped his feet up on the coffee table, his doorbell rang. Groaning, he got up. "What now?" He opened the door, and was absolutely floored. Speechless, he gaped at Kagome

Kagome was in a black, halter dress that showed off her body in a way that he thought should have been illegal. She also had a simple silver necklace with a pendant that hung between her breasts. "Um…" She hesitated. "I thought… Okay, never mind." Flushing furiously with embarrassment, she turned around. Inuyasha quickly grabbed her arm, reeling her around, since he knew why she was so embarrassed. He should have been the one to be embarrassed, forgetting as he did that they were supposed to go on a date that night.

"I'm sorry," Inuyasha said emphatically, his eyes trying their best not to rove over her figure in a completely inappropriate manner. "I forgot that we had a date tonight." It was the wrong thing to say. Kagome grit her teeth, and stiffened further, if that was possible.

"Yes, I could tell. So I'll just go back home and—"

"No, you don't understand… I had a long day, and now I have to look over Kirara, and—"

"Who?" Kagome was frowning. Kagome shrieked when she felt something against her foot, jumping nearly two feet into the air. "What the—What?" Kagome looked down and saw the large, cat eyes peering up at her, with the two tails waving. "You… You got a pet?" Kagome asked incredulously.

Inuyasha scoffed. "No, I'm taking care of her for a witness. For a victim," Inuyasha amended. "I retrieved her today." His eyes went over her figure once before returning to her face. Kagome could tell that the fire in Inuyasha's eyes was not merely admiration. "You can't imagine how sorry I am to have forgotten."

"Uh… It's all right," Kagome said, sighing and tugging on her hair. She had put a lot of effort into her image today, since she had been planning to floor Inuyasha. She wanted to see him with his mouth hanging open and his tongue hanging out. She hadn't expected to feel the familiar fire in the pit of her stomach in response to his blatant interest.

"Listen, I'll feed Kirara, and I'll take you out. What do you say?"

"Well, I suppose we could. Or this would have gone to waste," Kagome stated mildly, gesturing towards herself.

"It sure would have," Inuyasha muttered. "Okay, make yourself at home. I'm just going to grab a quick shower, and we'll be on our way." He opened a can of tuna. He would have to go to the pet store tomorrow and get some items. Kirara looked at the open can distastefully, but daintily started to eat it.

Kagome watched Inuyasha disappear into his bedroom, where he would go into the bathroom and undoubtedly take his short shower. Kagome struggled to keep her mind away from Inuyasha under the spray of hot water…

Oh dear. She put a palm to one of her warm cheeks, pouting a little, since she knew she was blushing. She gave a start when Kirara jumped into her lap, but she obligingly pet the demon cat. Kirara purred, rolling its muscles underneath Kagome's hand.

"What do you think?" Kagome asked the purring cat. "Do you think I should bolt for the door, or stick this one out?" Kirara opened one eye, fixed it on Kagome and meowed. Kagome smiled. "Yeah, you're right. I should choose for myself."

"I sure hope you're gonna stick it out, since I am," Inuyasha said as he came out of his room. Kagome jumped up, not paying any more mind to the displeased cat that had been dumped onto the floor.

"Uh… Yeah… Well, we'll have to see, won't we?" Kagome cleared her throat, wrapping her dignity back around her like a cloak. Inuyasha grinned. Wearing a simple pair of jeans and a white t-shirt with a jacket to go over it, he nearly had Kagome gulping with nerves. "That was a quick shower," Kagome stated. It couldn't have been more than five minutes.

"Well, I did say I was going to take a quick shower, didn't I?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome frowned.

"Yeah, but I thought… Are you sure you're clean?"

"Are you doubting my hygiene?"

"Well, I have to admit… Yeah." She was sharply pulled off of the chair she had been sitting on, and she could smell his shampoo and soap.

"Smell me then," Inuyasha said huskily, his thumbs rubbing small circles on her hips. Kagome fought to keep her mind on track.

"You smell clean," she said in an embarrassingly squeaky voice. Inuyasha leaned in closer, burying his own nose into her hair.

"Are you sure?" he murmured, pressing himself to her. Kagome, trying not to close her eyes, took up his offer and inhaled deeply. She lost the battle and her eyes closed completely as she let her senses take over. She seemed to be unaware of her hands slipping under Inuyasha's jacket and shirt to find the still-damp skin of his back. She felt his quick shiver, and felt herself suddenly being lifted against him to come fully against—

Wow. That definitely wasn't normal. Or was it? Was it supposed to feel so big? Kagome wondered. All thoughts flew from her head as Inuyasha's mouth descended onto hers. She opened her mouth for him, and he certainly took advantage of it. Unlike the poetic kiss of that morning, this one was hard, possessing, demanding. She reveled in it, barely registered his hands as they cupped her bottom so she could feel him fully. Groaning into his mouth, Kagome thought she would die in his arms tonight. She would have been happy to, and that was the scary part.

It was of his own free will when he pulled away from her with a tortured moan, Kagome thought deliriously as he put her away from himself. Unable to resist, she leaned towards him again, her lids heavy over her eyes. She was disappointed when he merely brushed his lips over hers and set her away again.

"I need to… to… take you out to eat," Inuyasha murmured, obviously having difficulty forming the words in his head. Thank goodness. She would have been embarrassed if she was the only one being retarded.

"Yeah…" was Kagome's only response. Inuyasha was refusing to look at her, which was something that made her insecure and hesitant. They had come close to wild monkey sex in his home, but he had pushed away the opportunity when she was obviously willing and ready.

He obviously didn't want her, despite his body's reactions.

Pulling on a brave face, Kagome decided she would be the bigger man and deal with it maturely: She would ignore it and pretend as if nothing happened.

"Okay… Let's go," Inuyasha said, grabbing his keys and moving out the door, not even waiting for her. Seething inside and annoyed by his awkward but carefree behavior, she grunted and followed him. Oh, she would show him what he was missing. By the end of the night, he would be begging for mercy. She would guarantee it.

Of course, first she had to figure out how.


wk: (Chuckles) I like how I ended it. Kagome's gotta figure out how to seduce Inuyasha by the time the night's over, because, as usual, she drew the wrong conclusion from his withdrawal. Will she be able to do it?

ReViEw oF rEvIeWs

Sorry you feel that way, Molten Larvitar. Unfortunately, I don't have the same opinion. Thanks you for yours, however. The only regrettable thing I can tell you is that the story was saved onto my hardrive, and a virus wiped it out. Otherwise I would have reposted it for those who wanted it a long time ago. Sorry!

Well, Jamie, I'm quite intrigued by that idea, actually. Should I have Kagome and Sango already know each other? Hm... We'll see.

I like your new name, Photographing Poetry!

Honestly, I loved your review, chakitattyla2h8. I'll try to take your constructive criticism into account. I'm glad you till like my story, and I'll try to do as you suggested. Hopefully, this chapter was better.

wk: All right! That's it. Now all you have to do is wait for the next chapter... Hopefully, it won't take nearly half a year for me to update this time. (Grins sheepishly) Sorry for the long wait again!