It was easily the most enjoyable afternoon Kagome had spent in a long time. She and InuYasha walked along the lake paths, fed the ducks, and sat soaking in the sunshine on one of the picturesque park benches. He had, at various points in the day thrown his arm around her shoulders, held her hand and just touched her far more than he ever had before.

His actions had her off balance, uncertain. They were friends, she was sure of that much. Sometimes she and Rin, Sango and Miroku, would pile up and hang out with him, watching movies, grilling steaks, or playing cards. He'd always been friendly enough, teasing her to distraction sometimes, but he'd remained contained. He wasn't normally a 'hands on' kind of person.

Shrugging off the confusing thoughts she focused back on the lake and the lovely afternoon. Kagome had never thought to do this on her own before; she supposed it was sharing it with a friend that made the difference. As they sat, she surreptitiously watched him as he sat with head back and eyes shut. The early fall sun did feel good.

He nearly startled her clean off the bench when he spoke, eyes still closed. "You wanna go get something to drink? There's a new coffee shop on Emerson, next to the book store."

"Er, sure. That sounds good," she answered, trying not to stutter.

He rolled his head sideways to look at her. Kagome was immediately lost in his beautiful eyes and soft smile. "Well, then. Let's go wench." And he took her hand and led her back to his truck, ignoring the honking and pleading of the ducks for more treats.

Once inside the shop, drinks ordered, they sat in a cozy corner watching the passersby. Kagome was trying to act natural, but she was sure he could hear her increased heart rate and slightly faster breathing. Get a grip, Higurashi!

"Kagome-" InuYasha started, but was interrupted by the delivery of their drinks.

Kagome was surprised to see a large slice of her favorite cake placed alongside.

"InuYasha, what's this?" she asked.

"Keh," he blushed. "I know it's your favorite. I thought we could share."

"Oh," she murmured. "Sure, I'd like that."

They spent the next little while in companionable silence, sharing the cake and enjoying their warm drinks. At last Kagome sat back.

"It's getting kind of late, InuYasha. I should probably head home."

His ears drooped a bit, but he nodded. "No problem. Come on, let's go."

On the way to his house Kagome wondered what he was going to say back at the café, but couldn't get her courage up enough to ask. His eyes in that moment had been so…full of emotion. Hope, determination, and fear. He had actually reached for her hand when the server had suddenly appeared, causing him to snatch it back and revert to his usual stoic self.

They pulled into the drive, InuYasha pulling around her car to park closer to the garage. She was about to open her door, saying, "Well, thanks for today-" when he interrupted her.

"Kagome…" he started, then paused.

She turned to him then, and was captured by the heat and longing in his gaze. For an instant she was torn, uncertain. And then he reached for her, and she suddenly in his arms and his mouth was on hers and they were kissing and damn could he kiss and hands were everywhere and hearts were pounding and it was so good but then-

She pulled away abruptly, mouth swollen and bruised and mind in a jumble.

They watched one another from either side of the truck, panting.

"Wh- what was that?" she asked.

He raised a brow, "Huh?" Great, Taisho you sound like an idiot!

"I mean, what are we doing InuYasha?" she clarified.

He nearly panicked. Was she afraid, or worse did she regret it? He didn't know what he would do if she rejected him now. Could he go back to being just friends with her after this? Had he ruined everything between them with his impulsiveness, had he-

"InuYasha?" she called again. He seemed to be frozen, unable to hear her.

Finally he gathered his courage and spoke. "What do you want it to be, Kagome?"

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Not a breath, not a sound. Now she was the one in shock. He forged ahead, figuring at this point he'd better make things clear. If she was going to quit him, he would at least be honest. He had held in his feelings long enough.

"Because I want everything." His eyes bored into hers, holding her captive. "We've danced around one another long enough, wench. I'm ready to play for keeps."

"Keeps?" she squeaked. No way! He could not mean-

"I love you, Kagome. I-I have for years." He ran his clawed hand through his bangs, giving it a tug before letting go. Once again she found herself the focus of his attention. "I don't have a lot. Living a life outside of Taisho Corporation isn't rich and glamorous, but I have a good life."

He reached for her hand, holding it gently with his much larger one.

"I want you to be part of that life, Kagome. I want you. And I know you want me, too."

He knew? She was torn between acute embarrassment at being found out and overwhelming joy that he felt the same.

"You do?" she asked, and wasn't sure to which statement she was referring.

"I do," he said, and she shivered thinking of another way and time he might say those words. Is this really happening? she wondered.

"How?" she asked again. Stupid Kagome! Stop stalling and answer the man.

He smirked. "Inu hanyou, remember?" he answered, tapping his nose.

She blushed harder. "Oh. Forgot about that."

He flicked his ears in response, and gave her a fangy grin. "Really, wench?"

"I mean, about how good your nose is," Kagome hastened to explain. She was sure her face was now permanently red.

He didn't tell her that he could also read emotions from her aura, her body language and her expressions. She would only blush harder, and stutter and stammer and this whole debacle would take even longer. But she was so very expressive, he thought appreciatively as he watched the multitude of emotions cascade across her beautiful face.

"So," he urged. "About this, us? What do you want, Kagome?"

She looked deeply into his eyes, saw the sincerity. She also saw the courage it had taken for him to make this declaration. She felt the warmth of his hand holding hers, felt the heat of his body so close and yet too far. And she could no longer deny, she saw the love in his eyes, just for her.

The world suddenly blurred, and tears were dampening her cheeks, but she found her voice and her answer.

"Yes! Yes InuYasha, I want this too. I want you."

And she was in his arms and he was rumbling a deep growling purr and everything was suddenly, absolutely perfect in the world.

She didn't remember much about leaving the truck and getting into the house, or how InuYasha called her mother and told her Kagome would be late, if she came at all.

She did remember the remaining evening, spent in her beloved hanyou's arms. Long into the night they kissed, talked, planned and dreamed and admitted their deepest feelings.

And when they came together at last in love and joy, they each had the same thought.

"Finally!"

SSSSSSSSSSSSSS

This concludes Finally. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.

Don't forget to review, please and tell me what you think!

I'm still updating Laundry Mix Up Fix Up on Wednesdays, so if you've missed it, go check it out and leave some love (reviews).

Next Friday? The start of Out of the Ashes, so stay tuned!