Inuyasha snuggled closer to the warm object against his chest, his arms wrapping around it tighter. He opened his eyes slowly, cursing the bright sunlight that was streaming through the window. "Kagome," he said softly, somewhat surprised to find her sleeping in his arms. He brushed the hair out of her eyes carefully, being mindful of his sharp claws. Kagome shifted in his arms, snuggling closer to him as her arm wrapped around his body. Inuyasha was tempted to just go back to sleep, to spend a day in Kagome's room. But he knew she had to wake up for school; he didn't know what time it was and he hoped she wasn't going to be late. "Kagome," Inuyasha said, shaking her shoulder slightly. "Wake up Kagome, it's morning; you have school."
"Five more minutes," she mumbled against his chest.
Inuyasha shook his head, laughing slightly. "No you need to get up now Kagome or you might be late for school."
Kagome rubbed her eyes as she stretched, emitting an almost feline-like growl. "I'm up, I'm up," she said as she opened her eyes. She blushed instantly remembering where she went to sleep and who was the warm object she was just cuddled up against. "Oh s-sorry for all the cuddling and everything," she stammered in slight embarrassment. She thought she would be awake before Inuyasha and manage to get out of bed first.
"Keh, just hurry up and get dressed before you're late for school wench," he said, getting off the bed and walking out of the room.
"Good morning Inuyasha," Mrs. Higurashi said as he walked into the kitchen.
"Morning Mrs. Hi-… um I mean Mom," Inuyasha replied, still unused to it.
"Would you like some breakfast?" she asked, lighting the stove. Inuyasha nodded, sitting at the table. "I'll make you some French toast then. It's one of Kagome's favorites." Inuyasha watched carefully as Mrs. Higurashi prepared breakfast, trying to remember all the steps. Kagome came running down the steps as she finished the last piece, setting the plate filled with French toast in front of Inuyasha.
"Morning mama, " Kagome said as she sat next to Inuyasha. "Yay French toast!"
"I thought you might enjoy it," Mrs. Higurashi said, laughing softly. She watched as the pair ate breakfast quickly, obviously enjoying their breakfast.
Kagome sighed in happiness as she leaned back in her chair. "That was delicious Mom. Oh no I'm gonna be late!" she said, jumping up from her seat as she looked at the clock.
"I'll get you to school," Inuyasha said, getting up from his seat.
"Thank you Inuyasha!" Kagome hugged her mom quickly before racing out the door. "Come on Inuyasha."
"I'm coming, I'm coming," he replied as he walked out of the house. It was another sunny spring day; you could feel the summer in the air. "Get on my back; we'll be at your school in no time."
"Inuyasha do you have a minute?" Mrs. Higurashi asked. Inuyasha just returned from Kagome's school and was heading to the well house when she stopped him.
"Sure, what is it?"
"I just wanted to invite you to dinner tonight with the family; Sota will be upset that he missed you this morning."
"Um, sure thank you," Inuyasha said shyly. He still wasn't used to the open acceptance Kagome's mother gave to him. He was used to humans fearing him and hating him even when he had done nothing wrong; to be openly welcomed felt…odd to him. 'But it is Kagome's mom. Kagome had to get her accepting side from somewhere. She accepts everyone good or bad in my time.'
"Also if you're not busy one afternoon, you should bring Kagome's engagement ring so we can take it to the jeweler cleaners. It would probably be best if we went during the day while Kagome is at school so she doesn't find out."
Inuyasha nodded, his thoughts drifting to his mother's ring. "I'll bring it soon for you to see; I have to find it first," he said, walking to the well house. "I'll see you at dinner."
"Bye Inuyasha," Mrs. Higurashi said, walking back to her house. 'He's going to make a fine husband,' she thought, smiling to herself.
Inuyasha walked deep into the forest, letting his memory guide his feet. The last time he had been there was before Kikyo pinned him to the tree with her arrow. 'What reason did I have to come back?' he thought as he finally reached his destination. Deep in the forest was a huge lake being filled by a waterfall. 'The water is gonna be freezing,' he thought as he walked near the edge of the lake. Inuyasha jumped through the waterfall into the cave hidden behind it. He quickly shook the water from his robe before walking deeper into the cave. 'I must have grown a lot,' he thought as he bumped his head on his ceiling.
In the back of the cave was a small pile of things Inuyasha treasured. They were mostly his mother's things that he managed to save before he was thrown out of his house. Inuyasha sat next to his mother's belongings, overwhelmed by his emotions. 'What would mother think about everything?' he thought, stroking the lid of one of the larger boxes. 'I know she would love Kagome; they're so much alike. They're both smart and kind and loving.'
Inuyasha lifted the cover of the largest box, breathing slowly to hold his emotions back. In the box was his mother's favorite kimono, a cream colored kimono that had a cherry blossom tree on it. Inuyasha sighed as the memories of his mother came rushing back, remember her soft voice and her musical laugh, the nights they spent outside looking at the stars, the days she spent reading stories to him. He closed the box back, unwilling to be distracted from his task. 'I need to find the ring.' He reached for a small black box sitting toward the back of the pile, picking it up gently. He opened the box carefully, revealing a gold ring with an emerald stone. It was the ring his mother always wore, her most prized possession. His father had given it to her on the night of their mating and Inuyasha was supposed to give it to his mate. "I'm going to do it Mother," he said softly, looking down at the ring. "I'm going to give it to Kagome. I'm going to make her my mate." Inuyasha snapped the box closed and walked back toward the entrance of the cave, thinking of the list of things he still needed to do.
Thoughts/comments/opinions? Will Kagome suspect anything? Can she pass all of her finals? Will Inuyasha manage to pull off a proposal? Or will someone show up to ruin it all?