Ch. 8

They reached the hut in no time, and Inuyasha put Kagome down. For a few awkward moments they stood in silence, but were interrupted by the sliding door of the hut.

"Oh Kagome!" the demon-slayer, Sango exclaimed. Kagome ran up and the two friends hugged. "I was starting to get worried!"

By the time Kagome had let go, she was tackled by the young kitsune, Shippo, "Kagome! I'm so glad you're back!"

"Me too Shippo!" she responded, getting up off the ground and brushing herself off.

They all headed towards the hut for food. (Kagome had left her thing at the well and Inuyasha had brought them earlier.)

After a delicious meal, everyone was very lazy, so it was decided they would go for a swim.

At the swimming hole (a large spring) they were all having fun splashing each other, while Inuyasha watched. He wasn't getting in.

"Whew! That was fun!" said an exhausted kitsune. And he swam to edge to take a break.

"Hey. I want to relax. Maybe a nice hot spring… Inuyasha would you take me there?" questioned Kagome.

This took him off guard, "Uh…sure Kagome…"

"Great! Let's go!"

As they reached the spring, Kagome got off Inuyasha's back. But she had another idea, "Inuyasha let's not get in yet. Ok?"

"Ok…" the hanyou responded, while watching her find a place to sit.

She chose a tree to lean against and settled down. She patted the ground next to her, indicating for Inuyasha to sit. He walked over and sat.

They sat for a while, Kagome staring off into the distance, and inuyasha slightly tense. He didn't know why he was acting like he was, but he knew she was the source of his tenseness. But this silence he was benefiting from. It gave him time to think. Think about…things.

Kagome was doing some thinking also. She was thinking about Inuyasha…and her. If…they were to be together… Would he accept her? Does he even feel the same way? She could feel his tenseness as these thoughts filled her mind.

"Kagome…" Inuyasha started.

"Hmm…?"

"Do?...I?...You…?"

She turned and looked him straight in the eye. It sent shivers down her spine. Not that she was scary. It was just…that she…

After several very, very long moments, she answered, "Yes…"

Inuyasha shook his head, "Never mind…" and he turned away from her.

She just sat in silence. Next to the man…she loved?

"Inu…yasha?" she whispered.

He very slowly turned towards her, "Kagome…" he softly answered.

She blushed, and closed her eyes. She tried to turn away but just couldn't.

In the silence he just stared at her. She was so beautiful. Her skin…hair…eyes…Her delicate frame was next to him. With him. This divine, elegant creature was with him! His demon instinct was taking over. He was leaning towards her, and he was unable to stop himself.

Her eyes fluttered open just as his lips reached hers. She pulled back in surprise but he had his arms around her. She felt his touch and loved every bit of it. It didn't take her long to let her eyelids close, as she fell into the kiss. She put her arms around his neck and they passionately kissed.

As they finally pulled away, they embraced and Inuyasha whispered into her ear, "I love you."

But her reaction he did not expect. She mumbled, "I…I-" and as fast as she could, she slipped out of his grasp and ran, tears streaming down her face.

He sat there stunned, and watched her run into the forest. "What the…" he ran after her, how could he be so stupid? It didn't take long to find her.

She had run only so far. She plopped down against a tree and cried. She didn't know why these tears, or why she had ran away. Her tears soon came to a stop, and she sat in silence.

"Dammit! Where is she?" cursed the hanyou. He just had to find her. Protect her. Make sure she was ok. Thankfully, he quickly found her. Sitting against a tree, but not crying. 'Good. She's ok,' he thought. And with that, he slowly approached her, as to frighten her and make her run off again.

Kagome had her face buried in her arms. She just wanted to be left alone. But yet she wanted comfort. Someone… she imagined Inuyasha's warmth. His arms around her. His touch. She loved it. She felt it. 'What?' she opened her eyes and looked to her side, "Inuyasha!" she exclaimed.

With the softest tone he could manage, "Kagome…are…are you ok?"

"Y-yes…" she stuttered.

He gave in. he hugged her, and he never wanted to let go. This was the woman for him. And she loved him dearly. He brightened her heart. This hug was full of concern and she felt safe. So she snuggled into his coat, and once again, the two drifted off into a peaceful slumber.