I'm sorry I haven't updated in the longest time and I'm an asshole for it. There's just been a lot going on in my life that made it hard to finish a chapter, but here's a good one for yall.

"What?" she raised a brow at me.

"While you were in the shower, he asked me if we shower together. We should, shouldn't we?" I was joking, but she smiled.. In agreement.

"You want to see me naked that badly?" She was joking, too, but she still sounded really curious.

"Yes." I answered without even thinking about it.

"You'll see me naked when Souta and Sesshomaru aren't around." she giggled innocently as my pupils dilated.

"Really?" I half yelled. Good thing Souta was in the shower.

She smiled, then shrugged her shoulders. A confirmation, no doubt.

"I'll take that as a yes." I said as I patted the pace next to me. She cuddled right into me as a placed a kiss to her head. It was silent for a moment.

"Do you know when exactly that will be?" I couldn't help asking.

"When what will be?"

"When we'll be alone. It's not that I'm trying to pressure you into anything. It's just that we almost never have time to ourselves. And right when Sesshomaru is out of the house, you're little brother comes along, not that I'm against him being here."

"I understand." she nodded.

"We should go on a little vacation, you know?" I half joked. "Just you and me in a nice condo or beach house with no one around to bother us. We'd have the whole quiet day all to ourselves with no jobs or duties. Just relaxing."

"That does sound really nice."she hugged me a bit tighter. "I'm really considering that now. I do have the money to rent a condo and maybe we can go to an amusement park on the beach or something. Then at night we can have some steak and wine and cuddle..."

She sounded like she was talking to herself now.

Well, if she was considering it, I wouldn't complain. I just couldn't wait to officially claim her as mine. And it would be more righteous to do so if we were in a remote place of comfort, with no one around to bother us. Better yet, it'd be nice be in a remote place forever with her, where we wouldn't have to worry about me being captured and killed, where she didn't have to work. Where we didn't have to be interrupted when we wanted alone time.

I smiled, painting the picture in my head, and pulled her face up to kiss her.

"I love you."I whispered against her lips.

"I love you too." she whispered back. Then she slowly moved away. She looked me very seriously in the eyes.

"Inuyasha, you do know that we need to talk, right?"

Uh oh. "You're not going to break up with me, are you?" I didn't realized I said it until the words were out, and there was no taking them back. I watched her with wide, frantic eyes.

"No, of course not!" She blurted out. I relaxed instantly. "We just need to talk about some boyfriend and girlfriend things when Souta goes to bed tonight."

"Oh. Okay." I said stiffly. I didn't know what would make me react like that.

Perhaps... I relied on Kagome a bit too much. Not in the sense that she was my lifeline, but in the sense that I had no idea what I would do if I lost her somehow. I pulled her against my shoulder.

I haven't really put too much thought into it before, but it would be rather easy to lose her. She could be killed so easily in so many ways, or she could just simply not want me anymore, and throw my ass out on the streets until someone found me and killed me. I realized before how much she meant to me, but what would I do if something ever happened that tore us apart?

I felt the need to claim her very strongly, and it wasn't just the arousing scent or the indescribable beauty. It was my fear of losing her. I knew that if I took her, she'd be stronger, like me. Not as strong, but strong enough to survive any normal cause of human death. She would be more indestructible, more immune to diseases, but most important, she would be bound to me for life, and we would live to be the same age, not dying without the other.

When time come down to us having sex? When would she be officially ready for me to claim her? I was ready. I was ready the moment I first heard her voice, smelled her scent. Perhaps these weren't just things to attract me to her, to keep her alive.

Perhaps Kagome's existence was meant for me.

Sex means more than just pleasure, or passion. It's life. Kagome is my life. And I'm ready for her. But I want her to be ready for me. I cannot allow myself to hurt her, or pressure her in any way.

But I want her. So much, that I almost opened my mouth and asked her then and there. But I couldn't, not with her brother home.

She stared at me with her big innocent black eyes, eyes full of questions, and answers. Then here eyes cleared, as if she realized something. Something that I probably already knew. I would ask her.

But I would wait...

For now.

Some time later, Souta came downstairs. And Kagome asked me to hop in the shower while they waited in the livingroom, and I had a feeling it was so he wouldn't ask anymore personal questions about us and how far we've gotten...

I couldn't get in the shower yet, though. I was still thinking about everything with Kagome. Realizing a big point that I was missing.

I had no problem with taking off to a remote place, to live happily and safely with my mate for another 100 something odd years, but Kagome on the other hand, was a different story.

She had a life here in Tokyo, a home. A family, friends, a job. She was settled in a big, nice house. She was set here. A grown ass woman holding her own, and I wanted to take her away from this just so I could be happy. But what about her? Would she give up everything she worked for just to mate with a psychotic hanyou like myself? Would she trade her normal human life for a life with a half demon?

How could I not consider this earlier? I couldn't just take her away from everything she has here It wouldn't be right. How could I be so utterly selfish? My ears drooped sadly as I realized the answer.

I'm part demon. I was born selfish. All demons want is to kill mate, and die. But could I be different? Could my human heart overpower my demon soul to give the woman I love everything she deserves? I placed my hand on my left breast, feeling my slow, human heartbeat. Most demons a fast heartbeat, but not me. I've always been telling Kagome about demon nature... the ways of demons... the way were live our lives.

I'm so odd to look at and be around that I forget that although I may be a demon... my heart is human.

"Wonder what he's doing." Souta's voice interrupted my thoughts. I listened, waiting for Kagome's response.

"Yeah."

"You two don't seem very close to me." He commented.

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked darkly.

A couple seconds passed before he answered. "You two don't cuddle or kiss. It seems like you just joke around... or at least he does while you just sit there all quiet. What are you hiding from us?"

What was Souta getting at? Why did he think she was hiding something? Was she hiding something?

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Her voice sounded plain.

"You're obviously hiding something from us. I know I'm young, but there's also something you don't want to tell him. Or you do, but you don't know how to come out with it in words. Is it bad?"

I had to give the kid credit. He knew Kagome's face well, as I did. He could also see that there was something she wanted to tell me.

"Why are you asking us so many questions? Can't you mind your own business for once?" Kagome sounded irritated.

"Sorry." he snapped. "I guess I know you too well. If you asked me, I'd say it has something to do with yours and Juno's physical relationship."

"It has nothing to do with you, so mind your own business, Souta." Kagome snapped back. Then it was quiet.

"Sorry." Souta said a moment later. "I know you love him and he loves you very much. I guess I'm just being over protective like Grandpa, huh? Or like dad..."

It was quiet then. I waited, and waited for a response from Kagome. I was alarmed, when I heard her sobbing, and then heard Souta sobbing.

So I was right, Her family should be more important to her than I am. I had no right to want to take her away from this. I listened to them cry together, feeling heartbroken. But what could I do? This a was a moment for them, so I would leave them alone.

A while later, I heard Souta coming upstairs, going into his room and plowing on the bed. His soft snoring followed almost immediately. Then Kagome crept into her room. I guess she expected me to be asleep or something because she gasped a bit when she saw me return her stare. Her eyes were red around the edges, her lips a bit puffier than usual. I wouldn't known she was crying even without the super hearing. I beckoned on her with a weak smile.

She sat next to me immediately, her posture noticeably relaxed when I hugged her to me.

"Are you gonna be okay?" I asked. She knew what I meant. She knew I heard everything.

"I'm okay now." she said softly.

"That's good."

"I guess I just need to relax. I'm gonna get in the shower." she said a moment later. Didn't she already take a shower earlier? Yes, but she was stressed, and a shower would help her relax a bit.

She stood to gather her things while I watched through the corner of my eye. Perhaps she needed some support, while she was in there. Not to be a pervert, but I wanted to go in with her, to show her that she didn't need to be afraid, to show her that she wasn't alone anymore. To show her that I was willing to be with her in any way possible, with no second thoughts.

I gently touched her shoulder as she was about to open the door. She turned to look at me, slightly startled. Perhaps something about the way my face looked threw her off.

"Do you mind if I join you?" I asked hesitantly.

I was having another seriously human moment, the fear of rejection. It was a feeling I knew well, for I'd been rejected my entire life, until I came closer to Kagome. She seemed to debate in her head, since her response was delayed. After about 15 seconds of awkward silence, she finally spoke again.

She nodded. My heart sped up. My pupils dilated.

"You didn't get in already?" she blurted out, then looked embarrassed.

"I've been thinking too much." I pointed my eyes down to my unchanged clothes and she raised a brow. I slid back a bit.

"Do you wanna get in first? I'll wait for you to undress if it makes you more comfortable."

"Thanks." she said and slowly shut the bathroom door.

Holy shit. I was about to be naked in the presence of a naked Kagome. How long had I waited for this moment? A year now? And now it was finally about to happen. I stripped eagerly, throwing my clothes into the hamper and grabbed a towel out of my dresser and wrapped it around my waist. It only took a moment before I heard the shower turn on. My member was starting to harden as more mental images of a naked Kagome ran through my mind.

But then as soon as I put my hand on the door knob, I stopped. My palms were sweaty, my heart was beating like helicopter blades, What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I just open the door? I felt my face turn hot and my hand that was on the knob started to quake slightly.

As if I needed any of this! There was a naked Kagome waiting for me on the other side of this door, and besides being aroused, my body reacted strangely to it. It didn't take me long to realize that I was nervous.

But why?

I took a deep breath. She's going to be your wife someday, I told myself. She's gonna see you naked at one point.

What was I saying? She's seen me naked before, although it was a glimpse. I wasn't ashamed back then. Why was it so different now? Maybe it was because I was nervous about her reaction to being naked with me that I was afraid of. In that case, she would be nervous, not me. But what was going on?

I couldn't delay any longer. Kagome was waiting for me.

I took a deep breath before opening the door.

My eyes of their own accord darted right to Kagome, though there was little to be seen. Her body was barely visible through the blurry glass of the door.

"Can I come in?" I asked, and my voice broke. Again, I was questioning myself: Why was I so nervous?

Kagome appeared to shift her hair over her shoulders before she called me in. I removed the towel and took another deep breath, bracing myself for the greatest sight my eyes would ever see. The nude sight of a woman who was more dear to me than the universe I lived and breathed in.

Shocking even myself, her eyes were the first thing I looked at. They were warm, cheery, still a bit red from her recently shed tears, but she still glowed the way she always did. Her cheeks were bright red from the obvious nervousness she felt. I smiled at her, warmly to comfort her, and she smirked back, just a tiny pull at the corners of her flawless lips, but still a smirk. She looked away and started washing up.

Then in the brief second that she wasn't facing me, my strong eyes cataloged the rest of her flawless body, and I instantly became so hard that it almost hurt. The need to take her was almost irresistible. The only sane part of me that stopped me from grabbing this gorgeous woman by the waist and taking her against the wall was the human part of my heart.

It was like a battle inside me, demon instincts versus the human sanity. The demon part was telling me to take her and claim her, while the human part was telling me to stay on my word and respect her. She was already mine. I would officially claim her when she was ready.

Lucky for Kagome, my human side was just a teeny bit stronger than my demon side.

I looked away from her to calm myself down, and I didn't want to embarrass her with my desire pointed outward.

I was trying my best not to stare at her directly, but I was watching her through the corner of my eye. On multiple occasions I caught her staring at me, my arms, my chest, my back, my stomach, and once I caught her eyes trail down south before she controlled her expression and continued washing.

Well, I'm here, she's here. We're both naked. And no one is doing anything. I could've easily started something, but maybe she wasn't ready. Then again, the way her eyes kept lingering on me, I could bet she wanted me to do something. Perhaps I was too nervous. That was very rare for me.

Kagome sighed heavily, and she sounded irritated. What was wrong with her? I saw her little hand reach for the door handle, and realized she was about to leave.

I couldn't allow that. I needed her company too much now. And it would be unbearable to watch her walk out on me. I grabbed her and brought her against me, wrapping my arms around her slender form. I kissed her shoulder and smiled against her as she relaxed into me. Then she whirled around to look at me. And the way she looked at me made me so happy, I felt high.

I was high off Kagome. She was my drug. I needed her. I was addicted to her. Without her, I would suffer withdraw that would consume me and then kill me.

The way she smiled back took me even higher.

I took her beautiful, soft little face in my hands and pressed my lips against hers, sinking into her, as she sunk into me. I backed her up so she stood against the wall, and she embraced me as the kiss grew more fierce. I could smell her arousal. She wanted me almost as much as I wanted her, but a small part of my mind reminded me that her brother was still present.

Well, if I wasn't going to take her now, I'd still want to feel as much of her as possible. I kissed her everywhere I could reach and pressed my body tightly against hers. I felt her body go slightly rigid when my penis pressed against her, but she remained calm, so I just continued on what I was doing. The hot water mixed with the heat of her body against me was the greatest thing I'd ever felt. The greatest physical pleasure yet, better than any orgasm I'd ever felt.

I kissed her again, but softer, massaging every part of her body I could reach, comforting her. Then she suddenly felt heavier, and I realized by her adorable squeak that she almost fell, she couldn't support herself. So I pressed against her tighter, propping her up against the wall. I couldn't help but laugh at her. She was so adorable.

"You okay?" I asked, rubbing her face lovingly with the back of my hand. She stared at me with desire evident in her black eyes and nodded shakily. I pecked her softly.

"Are we done for tonight then?"

"I guess so." She sounded a little upset by this. Hell, she looked upset too, This made me happy, knowing that she wanted to be with me like this after all. I shut off the water as she stepped out and stood to find her staring at me with the weirdest look on her face.

"Towel me?" she asked cutely. I couldn't resist. I rubbed her down with the towel, taking the time to massage her as I did so. Then she toweled me down, and I embarrassed myself by growling in pleasure when she went a little lower...

She climbed into bed wearing nothing but her undergarments, while I slept in my usual black pants. We snuggled under the covers for a long moment, kissing and feeling each other, though not in that way. I buried myself eagerly into the turn of her neck as she kissed me and breathed into my hair. Another moment passed.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome called my name in a soft voice.

"Hmm?" I mumbled into her throat, then placed a kiss on it.

I could almost feel her smiling widely now. "I think I'm ready."

I knew exactly what she meant, and pulled away to look at her face, to see if she was serious.

"Ready for what? To have sex?" I asked hopefully. She bit her lip, and the action caught me off guard. She was so sexy when she did that... I wanted to do it for her...

I quickly looked back into her eyes. "Now?"

"I am ready, but Souta is only in the other room." she laughed. Damn. I'd forgotten about the kid's existence that quick. She placed a soft kiss on my nose, and I playfully bared my teeth at her.

"How about when Souta leaves, and Sesshomaru isn't here to listen?"

"Good idea. But I still want to do it now."

"I do too, in all honesty." She said when I returned to my spot in her neck, continuing the massage.

"I love you." she said softly.

"I love you too, baby." I smiled, and fell asleep in her arms.