AN: All of your reviews make me grin like an idiot, but some of you really crack me up. I love them! Thank you all for enjoying my story.

"The last time I saw one of your kind, I nearly died," Hatori heard.

Turning, he saw a teenage girl leaning on a longbow and watching him with eyes too knowing for a child. The power coiling about her was a clear warning and he wasn't foolish enough to disregard it.

"My kind?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Dragon, duh. Though, you feel…smaller than you should. Well, anyways, I suppose they send out baby dragons to do clean up detail?"

That made him blink in surprise, wondering if the rumors of her powers might not be so exaggerated after all. Or perhaps one of the others had simply told her.

"I do apologize. The family must be protected."

"Of course," she agreed. "However, you'll get a vow of silence, not my memories. Oh, and I can fix your eye, if you like. As a gesture of good faith."

Hatori frowned. Akito had gotten curious when Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo began coming to the Sunset Shrine so often and sent out investigators. They'd learned pretty quickly that the shrine family had discovered the zodiac secret. He privately thought that it was Shigure not telling her about it that had really sent the zodiac head into fits. It could have been Yuki's growing fondness for the young shrine maiden, though, too.

Taking a step forward, Hatori braced himself for what he knew would occur.

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An hour later, he found himself at the bottom of the Sunset Shrine's stairs, his vision restored, and holding a plate of oden wrapped to go. Glancing back, he saw Kagome wink and wave before disappearing back onto the grounds.

Wondering what the heck had happened and how he'd spent the majority of that time arguing healing techniques with a sixteen year old girl, Hatori decided he was getting too old for this. He also decided that anyone going up against the Higurashi family was in for a rude awakening. They'd practically nice-d him into submission.

Pulling out his phone he dialed up Shigure's number. Akito was not going to be pleased. Somehow, Hatori couldn't help but smile.

Smile…and wonder where Kagome Higurashi had met a dragon.

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Ayame stared at his friend as Shigure crowed with triumph. "She healed your eye completely?"

Hatori sighed. "Yes. As I said the first ten times, Aya."

"And Yuki's sweet on her," Shigure cackled. "I thought he was going to need a bib when she was dancing at the festival. Hot little thing, I gotta say, so I couldn't blame him. Not with her dancing like temptation itself. She came right over to see him after she'd changed, too. Had me fooled with the way she blushed for him and flashed that pretty smile. When it came down to it, though, she's a hellcat. Threatened me to my face! Ha!"

"I want to meet her!" Ayame declared.

"Don't you think we need to discuss what to do about Akito? She was beyond furious when I told her the Higurashis couldn't be wiped."

Ayame flicked his hair over his shoulder. "Send Shigure. Maybe she'll settle after he fucks the evil out of her."

"Haven't managed that yet," Shigure pouted. "No, this'll right terrify her. She felt the cat's malevolent spirit leave and I'd wager she feels Yuki's bonds loosening. She'll come herself."

"And the girl?"

Sipping his tea, Shigure smirked. "Let's just say, Yuki picked himself a winner."

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"You set a dragon on me," Kagome accused when Yuki showed up.

His eyes widened and snapped to hers as he hurried to stand just in front of her. "Hatori was here?! Are you okay?" he demanded, grabbing her upper arms and looking her over.

Her tension fled at his actions, realizing with them that he'd had no idea about the visit. "I'm fine. I healed his eye and sent him on his way with some oden." She scowled. "Which, he'd better be grateful for. That's my favorite and nobody makes it like Mama."

Dropping his hands, Yuki stared at her in awe. "He tried to erase your memories and you fed him?"

Patting his cheek, she smiled and turned towards the house. "I told you he wouldn't be able to. Like I'd let anyone take you away if you didn't want to go. Psh."

When she glanced over her shoulder, she found him wearing that soft, unreadable expression again. She was beginning to think of it as her look, as she seemed to be the only one to draw it out. The thought made giddy butterflies take flight in her stomach, and put a bit of a spring in her step.

Since the festival, the rest of the Sohmas had gradually begun showing up in sporadic, odd ways around the shrine. Kagome had been excited to meet all of them, especially Rin and Kagura since she'd been without girl friends for a long time. Even if Rin hadn't completely warmed up to her yet and she'd been warned against letting Kagura know about Kyo's…need for love.

Kagome had also strengthened and fine-tuned the wards around the shrine, a bit disappointed that she hadn't done as good a job the first time. As much as she'd learned, there was always more waiting for her. In the corner of the dojo, her mother was happily adjusting the hem on a pair of Sōta's jeans.

"We all felt something when you helped Kyo," Yuki told Kagome as he took his place in front of her. "It's as if the curse recoiled. I shouldn't be surprised that Hatori finally decided to investigate."

Humming thoughtfully, Kagome held out her palms as usual and flared her powers when he'd grasped them. Her breath faltered a moment and pink ringed her eyes as she met his.

"Yes, it's been shaken to its foundation. But…Yuki, you're-you're fighting the curse! This is the first time it hasn't actively prevented you from doing so!" Her brows furrowed as she felt along it. "I might be able to do a Containment Circle after today."

Not waiting for his reply, Kagome threw herself into plucking at the knots of his curse. His soul brightened and swirled around her playfully, nudging her when she became stuck and more vibrant than it'd ever been.

Swallowing, she finally came back to herself a long while later, feeling utterly drained. Drained, and yet exhilarated. Yuki's soul still called to hers, happily soaking up her attention while her soul rested against it.

"Your soul wanted to play," she laughed, touching her temples.

"My soul?" he asked in confusion

Cracking her lids, she smiled. "It's playful and warm. I have a hard time not relenting to it." Weariness overcame her, however, cutting off her explanation. "Eh…I might have overdone it a bit," she admitted. "Mama?"

Mrs. Higurashi immediately moved to her and checked her temperature. "Hmm, I think you'll be fine after rest. Can you stand?"

Her legs felt like noodles, honestly, but she nodded anyway. "I think so."

Yuki surprised her by catching her arm opposite her mother and gently helping her to her feet. She wobbled for a minute before steadying and breathing a sigh of relief.

"If you're fine, I'll go see to supper," Mrs. Higurashi stated after judging that her daughter wouldn't be falling face-first anytime soon. "You will be joining us, won't you, Yuki?"

Smiling, he inclined his head. "Yes, please."

Patting his shoulder with fondness, she left the dojo. Kagome bit her lip and eyed the distance to the door and then to the house. Okay, maybe she'd been a bit too eager with her treatment of Yuki today.

"Are you really okay?" he asked her softly, moving in front of her. "I…I don't like that you exhaust yourself when helping me."

"I'll be fine, promise," she reassured him. "And it's not like I set out to exhaust myself. I just get excited when we make so much progress that I want to do all I can to help it along."

Yuki opened his mouth, but then shook his head and closed it. "It's so much thinner than it was when we met. You've already done so much for me, don't push yourself on my account."

Heart fluttering at his fervent expression, Kagome slowly nodded. "I'll try to be more careful," she promised.

Relaxing, Yuki smiled and shifted so that she could pass him. Kagome took two steps and folded. A surprised noise escaped both of them as she fell, but Yuki managed to catch her before she could hit the ground. Weakly clutching at him, she panted as he adjusted his hold on her.

"Miss Higurashi?" he asked, worry painting his words.

"I just need a moment," she muttered, embarrassed.

Suddenly, her head snapped up in total shock, making him tighten his grip.

"You're holding me," she whispered, wide-eyed. "Yuki, you're holding me!"

When that penetrated, he sucked in a sharp breath. Kagome wasn't expecting him to sink to his knees, taking her with him as she still hadn't regained her balance. Between one breath and the next, Yuki had pulled her into a true embrace unaided by her powers for the first time. Kagome returned it just as tightly, her heart so full of happiness for him she nearly couldn't stand it. Fine tremors were racing down his body as he buried his head in her neck and just held her. His soul trembled with his emotions, for the first time larger and more present than the spirit of the rat. It wouldn't take much more to break the curse completely.

Kagome couldn't help unfurling her soul and tentatively reaching for his in her joy. His brightened with a radiant purple light and curled against hers affectionately. It was insanely personal, but after the kagura dance, Kagome had nearly hurt with their separation.

Straightening, Yuki met her eyes with that same soft emotion from earlier-only it had grown.

"You are the most amazing person."

Biting her bottom lip, she blushed and sat back. "Same could be said of you," she pointed out, awkward in the face of his blatant regard.

Brushing her hair behind her ears, Yuki chuckled and shook his head. "I've lived nearly seventeen years with that curse and I was no closer to breaking it the day you found me than I was the day I was born. Thank you."

"It's not completely broken," she warned him. "Don't get excited just yet."

His face brightened and his eyes danced. "Miss Higurashi, I can go out in public without fearing a transformation. I can embrace you without you using your powers. Excuse me if I feel justified in my excitement."

That had her giggling. "You're right-you go ahead and be as excited as you want. Just, could you get Mama while you're at it? Walking didn't work out so well for me the first time."

Rolling to his feet, he eyed her strangely. Kagome didn't have time to ask him what the problem was before he'd bent and scooped her into his arms. Instinctively holding on to him, she gaped as he adjusted the distribution of her weight and then began strolling toward the house.

"Y-you…don't have to carry me," she stuttered, mortified.

Smiling, Yuki met her eyes. "Hush and let me be the hero for the moment, okay? You can go back to being one tomorrow."

Mouth closing with a click, Kagome decided to quit trying to stop a good thing. Yuki was carrying her…she'd shut up and enjoy it.

"You can be mine anytime," she said softly, resting her cheek just under his collarbone.

His gate faltered minutely before he recovered. Fearful she'd said too much, even after all her self-talks about staying only friends, Kagome hesitantly glanced up at him. He tipped his head to the side, his eyes boring into hers. It made her feel both hunted and protected, which sent a thrill of…something swooping through her stomach.

"The more the curse is unraveled, the more I see you," he whispered, his eyes beginning to burn with a fire that made her very aware of him as a male.

Pausing under the Goshinboku, he carefully lowered her legs until she was shakily standing with his help.

"I can hear your heartbeat," he continued, "and smell the honey of your skin laced through with the bite of your powers."

Kagome wasn't surprised that he could hear her heartbeat. Right then it was beating like a hummingbird's wings, almost pounding out of her chest. She wanted to ask him what he was doing…why he was doing it, but she couldn't make a sound. Her skin broke out into goosebumps when Yuki hesitantly ran his fingers across the apple of her cheek.

"Your skin that looks like ivory and feels like silk. You're the most vibrant thing in my world and I have to wonder…"

He moved even closer until there was only a breath between them. Wetting her lips, Kagome forced herself to meet his gaze as he watched her with unnerving intensity. His soul slid against her own, enticing her to rise to the challenge he was giving.

"What?" she breathed when he paused.

For a moment, uncertainty flickered in his eyes. Her soul reached for his without her thought, wanting, wanting, wanting.

Taking a breath, Yuki bent until his mouth was hovering over hers. "I wonder how you taste."

Kagome almost whimpered when he squeezed his eyes shut and pulled away-the tense moment shattering like candy-glass around them. His fingers flexed under her elbow where he was still supporting her and when he finally opened his eyes, Kagome saw an ocean of yearning in them.

"Yuki?"

"You deserve someone without a curse strangling his soul," he whispered. "For the first time, I can see the end of mine. Let me do this right. Let me ask you out when I have all of me to give."

His entreaty was so heartfelt and pleading, that Kagome's affection for him bloomed into something much deeper. That he respected her so much-thought so highly of her he couldn't bear the thought of coming to her still bound to another made her take her first stumbling steps into maturity. She wouldn't rush this. What was between them was too precious to rush and she'd never been so glad to be wrong. Yuki's soul was calling for her. Just her. And when he could, he was going to follow through on that.

"I can wait," she replied just as lowly and just as earnestly. "You're worth waiting for, Yuki."

Amethyst orbs lightened almost to lavender at her words and tension she hadn't realized he carried melted away.

"Though, I didn't realize you even liked me like that," she admitted with a blush.

Laughing, he shook his head and wrapped his arm around her waist to help her back to the house. And maybe she'd gotten enough of her strength back that she didn't absolutely need help walking by that point. Kagome made the executive decision not to tempt fate and leaned into Yuki as he helped her.

"I'm at your house every other day, Miss Higurashi, and you only work on the curse two days out of the week. Why else would I be visiting so often? Your grandfather still occasionally hits me with his 'sacred sutras' when he's feeling particularly bored."

That made her grin, even as his announcement made her feel like an idiot. She'd been so determined not to see things that weren't there that she missed the things that were.

"We're not confessing embarrassing things about our visits, are we?" she asked as he led her into the living room.

"She does all of her homework on days you don't come by so that she has more time for you!" Sōta volunteered as he drifted toward the kitchen.

Kagome shot him a glare, but decided against yelling at him. That wasn't the worst thing for Yuki to know.

A moment later, however, Sōta popped his head back in to smirk, "And, she puts on makeup while listening to love songs and dancing around her room in her underwear."

"What?" Kagome screeched, reaching for the nearest object and finding Sōta's game controller. Deeming it suitable, she chucked it at him, catching him in the chest and sending him stumbling backwards. "I do not, you brat!"

Wheezing a laugh, Sōta retreated-having caused as much mischief as he could safely get away with. Yuki was chuckling at the scene as they sat on the couch. Once Sōta was gone, Yuki hesitantly slid his hand into hers, making her rage fade in the face of his sweetness. His soul still curled against hers, contentedly basking in her presence, giving her the courage to adjust her fingers until they were laced between his. She couldn't help the pleased smile that slid onto her face as she peeked up at him and found him giving her that look again. Hers.

"I really don't," she felt the need to insist softly, drawing a light laugh from him.

They fell silent, once more just enjoying having the other near. When Mrs. Higurashi came to get them for supper, she didn't comment, but did take the opportunity to draw Yuki into a fond hug.

"I'm so glad, for you, Yuki," she told him with a smile only mothers could pull off. "I hope this doesn't mean you'll disappear on us, though."

Ducking, he shook his head, his violet eyes meeting Kagome's across the table. "I would like to keep coming," he admitted.

Straightening, Yuki swallowed and looked to Gramps, making the older man arch a bushy brow. "With your permission, sir," he asked, the words carrying a weight that gave them a very specific meaning.

Gramps eyed him intently as the family fell silent. Yuki endured it passively, but Kagome was a ball of knots at her grandfather's pause. The family was very traditional and if the head of the household didn't give his approval…she didn't know what she'd do.

After his lengthy musing, Gramps finally smiled and nodded once. "Respectful lad. Maybe you aren't a demon. I suppose after that unfortunate curse is removed, it would be a shame if you didn't come back."

Kagome couldn't help the burst of relieved air, and grinned when her mother patted her hand. Glancing to Yuki, Kagome found him tipping his head to her grandfather in gratitude.

"Thank you, sir."

For the first time since she'd been fifteen and pulled down a well, Kagome's world settled around her in perfection.

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Next Chapter: Yuki fends off groupies!