Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters.

Chapter 4:

Inuyasha dodged a branched as he and Shippou made their way through the thickest part of the forest. The corner they had decided would be his was not too far from the village, but far enough that Inuyasha wouldn't feel crowded if he decided to settle next to village himself. Shippou was so excited he was bouncing, the sad emotions from telling Kagome goodbye leaking away once they started to get close to his territory. Shippou couldn't believe how excited he was getting, he knew it was just a small piece of land, but knowing that it was his piece of land was enough to make him want to shout.

Inuyasha smiled at how much enthusiasm Shippou was showing. He knew that he couldn't point it out, because Shippou was trying his hardest to hide it, but he was glad at least someone was getting excited about this. Inuyasha knew when he got back to Kaede's hut he was going to get an earful from Kagome. She didn't think Inuyasha had given Shippou enough land. That was going to be a whole different kind of fight. He was not looking forward to it.

Inuyasha couldn't completely understand how Shippou felt. Sure, he could guess what it would feel like to get his own territory, but Inuyasha had fought for his land. The part he was giving to Shippou was worth it, but this forest had been won through blood. Inuyasha preferred not to think about that, and it didn't really matter. He just wish he could have as much excitement about gaining a territory as Shippou. If his Dad had lived…but that didn't matter.

Inuyasha paused, and waited for Shippou to notice. He smirked a little when Shippou turned back towards him. "This is it. Your territory starts here. You lose it I am not helping you get it back, understood?"

Shippou nodded, looking a little nervous. He'd never had to really defend his own territory, but he knew Inuyasha was serious. If Shippou lost the land that had been given to him Inuyasha would not come to his rescue. Holding your own territory was serious business, and it really started to dawn on Shippou that he was going to be defending this piece of land for a very long time.

Inuyasha just waived and started to walk back towards the village. "Don't let me see your ass until you've got a decent place to live build, you understand runt?" He called back over his shoulder. Without looking back Inuyasha kept on going. This wasn't his territory anymore. Shippou needed to figure it out on his own, and Inuyasha had some work to do before he went back for Kagome.

Inuyasha hurried his pace, eventually reaching a full out run. He stopped right before the edge of the forest that overlooked the village, than headed back a little farther into the woods. When he could no longer hear every noise the villagers made, but could still hear if the screamed or set up the alarm Inuyasha stopped. It would take about a week, but Inuyasha was going to do his own building.

There was a small clearing that would be his starting point. He knew almost all the different corners of this forest. He'd been here for so long, he couldn't imagine what it would be like to build something knew. He was an outdoors kind of person, but he knew she would need somewhere safe to sleep. He would make that for her.

The clearing was too small for the size of the house he wanted to make, so he spent most of the next two hours expanding the clearing, and making sure that there weren't any dangerous animals nearby that he needed to get ride of now, before he brought her anywhere near this place. The trees that he pulled up from the ground he laid out in a neat pile, knowing that once he stripped the branches off, and smoothed out the wood he would be able to use it for the foundation.

He worked hard, and he worked quickly. He wanted to get back to her as quickly as possible, not wanting to be parted from her any longer than necessary. He also didn't want her to know what he was doing. He wanted her to be surprised, and maybe if he gave her a place to live she would be able to forgive him for not keeping her safe. He would build this house, and he'd always be able to keep her safe. This was going to be the one place he'd always know he could keep her safe.

He finished up quickly, and dunked himself into a small pond behind the house. Wouldn't make sense to go back smelling like shit, and covered in dirt and dust. He was just supposed to be showing Shippou around his new home, not building one himself. Of course Shippou could do that on his own. Boy had a nose didn't he? He'd find any critters he needed to kick out, and other than that he'd be fine. A few nights without a roof over his head or someone to cook him dinner wouldn't kill him.

Speaking of dinner, Inuyasha had finally started to feel hungry again. He pulled on his cloths, and looked over his work, making sure there wasn't anything he had forgotten. The clearing had been almost doubled in space, and he'd gotten enough would to build the start to a nice little home. Of course over the years he could always add on to it, but for now this was what he needed.

He weaved his way through the trees back to his Kagome, the twilight keeping the forest mostly in shadow, but that didn't bother him. When he got close to the village he slowed down. No point in scaring the villagers. He walked his way through the little village, and realized that people were smiling at him as he walked past. The only times he'd come to the village in the last few years was when the alarm had been struck, and he came to kill whatever demon was foolish enough to try and attack a town under his protection. Most didn't try anymore. The demons were under the mistaken impression that Inuyasha had killed Naraku, and anyone who could kill that bastard must be strong. He'd never bothered to correct them, and tell them that a young human woman had been the only one with the courage enough to get close and kill Naraku. He preferred not having to fight all that much.

The villagers greeted him with the same warmth they had before he had so abruptly stopped coming. He didn't know any of them very well, but considering how short lived they were he probably wouldn't ever become too close to them. He'd been trapped to a tree for only 50 years, and look hold old Kaede had gotten! The villagers still treated him like he mattered, and it was an odd sensation every time it happened. For them it had been 50 years since his confrontation with Kikyou, but to him it was right around the corner. He had just gone through all that not five years ago, but to them he was a nice young demon that cared about their village. He didn't know how to accept it sometimes, and most of the time he just tried to ignore it.

His attention was drawn away from the nice villagers and to the young woman coming up to him. She had been in Kaede's hut, he could smell the old woman on her, and whatever they had been cooking up for dinner. He was starting to really want something to eat. Kagome smiled softly at him when he got close to her. She wasn't completely happy with him, but she didn't really have any place to complain. He was doing his best for Shippou, and she knew that, on some level.

"How'd it go? Did he settle in alright?" Kagome asked, excited to know how Shippou had liked his new home.

Inuyasha nodded, not wanting to lie, but exactly knowing what to say. "He seemed really excited." was what he finally decided on.

Kagome tiled her head to the side slightly, looking at him for a long moment. She knew he was holding something back, but what she couldn't tell. He wouldn't hide something from her, not so soon after she'd given up everything for him, right? He was looking at her with that same smirk on his face, and he looked so damn good. The sun was setting, and twilight had started to settle around them.

"Inuyasha, Kaede said we could have dinner at her hut, but there is an empty hut near the edge of the village. Until I can come up with something of my own, she said we could stay there." Kagome smiled at him, and lead him back towards Kaede's.

Dinner was a simple gathering of the three of them, with basic fair. The longer they stayed, the more nervous Inuyasha got. He wasn't sure he could handle an entire night alone with Kagome. He had thought they would stay at Kaede's hut for at least a week before they would be expected to find their own place. He didn't know what the hell he was going to do. They had been apart for so long, he didn't want to wait any longer, and if they were alone he wasn't sure he'd be able to fight those instincts.

Before Inuyasha knew what was going on they were headed towards the new hut, and he was fighting with Kagome about Shippou. The fight went as he expected, Kagome trying to convince him that one little corner of the forest wasn't enough, and Inuyasha snapping about how at least he'd given the brat something and hadn't just kicked him out of his territory completely. They continued to fight until they were inside the hut. It was a small one room building, with a small curtain separating what was supposed to be the bedroom area.

Kagome went back behind the curtain, still trying to convince Inuyasha that Shippou was a good kid, so didn't he deserve just a little more space? Inuyasha was fuming.

"Would you just appreciate the fact that I didn't kick his little runt ass out, and be happy I let him take some of that land? I worked my ass off for it, he gets what I want to give him. He's damn well grateful, why aren't you?" Inuyasha snapped, fed up with her attitude. She'd been back one freaking day and already they were fighting over Shippou.

Kagome gave an exasperated sigh from behind the curtain, "Inuyasha, what if he finds some nice girl in a few years? How are they supposed to spread out on such a small piece of land?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. It was so Kagome to be concerned about some maybe girl that Shippou would find in 10 years. "Kagome he'll be fine. He wants more territory he can fight me for it, the way most demons get their damn territory. I'll even go easy on the little shit."

Kagome came out from behind the screen in her pajamas, and Inuyasha didn't hear a word she said. He was still frustrated, still angry, but all he could do was stare at her. She had put on some skimpy little short, barley an cloth covering her upper body. Two thin little straps went up over her bare shoulders, and tiny little shorts covered very little of her long legs.

He was across the room in a moment. Kagome pressed herself against the wall, letting out a startled yelp. Inuyasha's arms caged her in, and his body was pressed within inches of hers. The anger he'd been feeling before was transformed and he couldn't make himself back away from her. He leaned in closer, taking a deep breath. Her scent still had slight hints of fear and anger, but it was quickly being replaced with something a little spicier, a little more alluring.

Inuyasha leaned in and placed his lips next to her ear, allowing one hand to slide up above her head, and the other to slide underneath the strap of her tank top. "What the fuck do you think you're wearing?"

Kagome couldn't breath, her mind was completely caught by what Inuyasha was doing. He had her trapped, but she knew he wouldn't hurt her. His lips brushed lightly against her ear when he talked, and it sent shivers down her spine. When his hand slide underneath the strap of her tank top and stroked the skin there she was forced to place her hand on his waist to steady herself. She'd never had him so close, and the way he was making her feel was almost too much, too intense. Kagome wasn't sure exactly how to handle it. His hand slid just a little lower, and Kagome took a quick deep breath, not sure what to do.

Inuyasha trailed his mouth lower, letting his lips press lightly along her neck until he reached her collar bone. Her breath was coming in quick short bursts, and the hand she had placed on his waist gripped his cloths tighter. Her head started to tilt to the side, allowing him easier access to where he wanted. The finger he had under the strap of her shirt placed the strap back in place gently. His hand skimmed down her arm, until it came to rest on her waist. His hand wrapped around the side of her body, his thumb finding its way under her shirt, making small circles on her skin.

"I asked you a question, Kagome." Inuyasha murmured against her skin, letting his hand trail even lower, drawing circles on her thigh right below the edge of her shorts.

Kagome let a small noise escape her, and her hand slide up his body to grip his shoulder. Inuyasha growled low in his throat, and pressed his entire body along hers. He grabbed her wayward hand and pinned it up above her head, pressing it into the wall. She could feel all of him, pressed against her. Kagome leaned her head forward and rested it on Inuyasha's chest, unable to think.

Inuyasha's hand slide slowly up her shorts, until his fingers were pressed hard into her hip. He growled again. He couldn't think, she had driven him beyond any sense of sanity. His entire body was on fire, and all he wanted was to touch her. His human mind had left him, and the demon in him wanted to make her understand what she had done to him. Every part of him ached to be pressed against her, skin to skin. She was barley wearing anything, but it was still too much. His cloths were holding him in, keeping him from really feeling her.

Kagome let out a small gasp when he pulled back from her for a moment. He took her other hand and swiftly pressed it above her had with the other. He had her trapped with just one hand, and Kagome knew she wouldn't be able to escape. Slowly her mind started to realize what was happening. She had put on her regular pajamas, and somehow she had become pressed against the wall, trapped by Inuyasha.

"I-Inuyasha? What are you doing?" Kagome asked, not sure she liked the look in his eye. She felt so flustered, unsure what to do. He looked so intense, his golden eyes tracing their way down her body. Everywhere his eyes went started to tingle, like it was his hands touching her, not just his eyes. Kagome managed to say his name one more time before he started to remove his shirt.

Inuyasha quickly disposed of his top, switching the hand trapping her so he could throw it completely off. He smirked a little when Kagome's eyes started to widen. He loved that she smelled just a little like fear, the demon side of him enjoying the idea that she knew he wanted to do dirty things to her, and that even though she was frightened, she was still completely turned on. Her scent was driving him mad, and he slid his free hand up her arm until it had found her hands trapped under his. He held both of her hands in his, slowly lowering them until they were at waist height. He placed on of her hands on his now naked waist, and the other on his bare chest. He buried his nose in the bend of her neck, his hands resting finally on her waist. He slowly licked her skin, drawing the taste of her into his mouth. He loved how she tasted, and he knew it was going to be hard to resist her from now on. He kissed his way slowly up her neck, enjoying how she tilted her head to the side. That was how she should react, and the demon in him knew that his bitch was ready for him. She had completely surrendered to him, and it made him crazy.

Inuyasha slowly reached the edge of Kagome's mouth, teasing her by coming so close, but not actually kissing her. A low, longing sound escaped her lips, parting them as Inuyasha looked at her. "I-Inuyasha?" She whispered, her eyes still closed, the hand on his chest pressing harder against him.

Kagome couldn't think, her mind totally focused on his mouth, hands, body. He was pressed close to her, his bare chest pressed against her and trapping her hand between them. He kept the lower half of their bodies slightly separated, but she wasn't focused on what wasn't touching her. What she wanted was for him to kiss her, really kiss her. It had been so long, she just wanted him to finish what he had started.

Inuyasha nuzzled her cheek, and kissed the edge of her mouth. He knew he was teasing her, but the way her body responded to being teased was like a drug. Every time she thought he would kiss her, her heart rate speed up, and her breath came out in short bursts. Finally he couldn't stand teasing her anymore, he needed to kiss her. He softly placed his lips on hers.

Kagome moaned, and pressed her lips more firmly against his. Everything was on fire. She couldn't think, she just needed to feel more of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her whole body along the line of his, standing slightly on tiptoe. His mouth dominated hers, and swallowed her small gasp when she felt his excitement pressed firmly against her stomach.

Inuyasha was drowning. He couldn't stop kissing her, and when she pressed her body fully against his, he couldn't help but press her even harder into the wall. He pulled her hips closer to his, loving how her body felt against him. His hand drifted higher up her side, brushing just below her chest.

For a moment Inuyasha considered continuing, but he realized just how far things had gone. With a groan he ripped himself away from her and jumped back to the other side of the hut, breathing deeply. His body screamed at him to go back to the woman across from him, but he held himself back. He was trying to catch up, trying to get his mind back in a normal state.

Kagome let herself slowly lower herself to the floor. Her body was trying to understand how he was just suddenly gone, while her mind continued to draw a blank. Everything had happened so fast. From the ground Kagome looked at Inuyasha, happy that at least he was having as much trouble as she was. She finally started to pull herself together, but couldn't understand what was going on.

"Inuyasha, what, what just happened?" Kagome stuttered out.

Inuyasha looked at her, on the ground, knees tucked up against her chin. A slight smile crossed his face for a moment, thinking about how cute she looked like that. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms in front of him.

"What the hell are you wearing?" He muttered.

Kagome looked down at her cloths, confused by what the big deal was. "Um, a tank top and pajama shorts? It's hot out, I didn't want to sweat all night." Kagome looked at Inuyasha like he was crazy. "You reacted like that to my shorts and tank top? My school uniform was just as short! What's the difference?"

Inuyasha just glared at her for a moment. "It's different. At least your shirt covered up the rest of you, now it's like your not wearing freaking anything!" he snapped.

"Um, you're the one not wearing a top. Mine's still on at least." Kagome taunted, though she really didn't mind him being shirtless. The view was always a nice one when he decided to go shirtless. As her attention was drawn to his chest she realized that he was a little skinnier than he had been before. He wasn't unhealthy looking, but he had lost weight. He still had the lean sexy muscle she'd always loved, but there was less of it, and he looked like he could use a good meal.

Kagome's smile dropped away, and she stood. Slowly she walked over to him, a little frown turning her expression into a cute pout. Inuyasha held himself very still, not sure what she was doing. Kagome stopped just in front of him, and placed her hand gently on his chest, just below his heart. She slowly trailed her hand over his arms, and along his stomach. She still looked upset, pouting at him like something had really upset her.

"You've lost weight." She finally said, and her hand finally came to rest right above his belly button.

Inuyasha flinched a little, but otherwise stood there calmly. Her hand was driving him a little crazy, but he could control himself for the moment. When her hand settled he was able to really pay attention to what she said. "It's fine. I'm fine. You should go to bed, it's getting late, and I don't know what we'll be doing tomorrow."

His tone was gruff, and she knew this was something else they would have to talk about, but it would have to wait. Things were still a little weird, and they both needed to calm down. Kagome nodded slightly, and turned to go back behind the curtain. A bed was already set up for her, and she lay down.

Inuyasha could hear her shift around slightly in her bed, unable to fall asleep right away. He knew that she felt just as tightly wound as he did, but there wasn't anything he could do to help either of them. He knew when she eventually fell asleep, and that was when he finally dared to cross to that side of the hut. She was sleeping on her side, turned away from him. The window above her head cast light from the moon on her.

Inuyasha smiled softly, thinking about how innocent she looked. He sat down next to her, and leaned against the wall. Slowly he started to drift to sleep, feeling sure in the knowledge that she would be there when he woke up, and everything would be ok.

A/N

Thank you to those of you who have reviewed. I always appreciate the feedback. I hope everyone who's read this enjoyed it. Have a great night.