Chapter 2

11 months later

Kagome was practicing her archery with Kaede in the forest by the village. She'd improved greatly in the year that she'd been back. Kaede even said that she had surpassed Kikyo. She didn't know about that, but she did allow herself to take a little pride in her archery.

"Kagome, isn't your anniversary tomorrow?" Kaede asked.

"Yeah, Inuyasha said he had something planned."

"Do ye have any idea what it is?"

"Not really. He's managed to keep it secret from me." She said, laughing at the thought.

"Why did ye let him go off to slay that demon when your anniversary is so close?"

"I knew he'd get back in time and I didn't want Miroku to have to go alone. Sango would be devastated if anything happened to him... And furious if he made anything happen with the women. Inuyasha will keep him safe and in line."

"Ye are a very considerate woman Kagome. Inuyasha is lucky to have you."

"Thanks," Kagome said shyly, "I'm just glad we could finally be together again."

Inuyasha and Miroku were going off to slay another demon. The village was a little farther away than usual, but they would still probably make it back home about noon the following day.

"So how bad are you going to rip them off this time Miroku?" Said Inuyasha.

"I'll have you know that I charge a fair rate... For a man with a family as large as mine." He jokingly replied.

"Whatever. Just don't go feeling up the village women."

"I'm a married man Inuyasha!"

"I know, but your eyes still wander. You should be glad Sango doesn't come with us on these things. Honestly, I really don't know how you've stayed married for 4 years."

"Speaking of that," said Miroku, desperately trying to change the subject, "isn't your wedding anniversary coming up?"

"Yeah, it's tomorrow actually."

"What?!" Miroku yelled. "Why are you coming with me on this then? You should be with Kagome!"

"She told me to go. Besides, I've got a plan."

"Oh yeah," Miroku said sarcastically, "and what is it?"

Inuyasha told him his plan. Miroku made a few changes, but otherwise agreed that it was great.

"I never knew you were such a romantic Inuyasha. It seems I misjudged you."

"Yeah whatever," Inuyasha said dismissively, trying to hide the fact that he was blushing, "lets just get to the village."

"Fine, fine. It's just over the next hill."

"Good."

They continued on to the village to carry out their mission.

The next morning, while Kagome was visiting with Sango, Inuyasha and Miroku were heading back home. Inuyasha was still trying to clean off his claws. The demon had made a real mess and the smell refused to leave.

"Inuyasha, you can stop. No one else can smell it, but you." Miroku said.

"Yeah I know, but the smell is disgusting."

"Don't worry about it. It's not going to ruin your night. Kagome's nose probably isn't going to get that close to your claws tonight. Unless of course you two do that kind of thing."

"Wait, what do you mean?"

"You know, when you two... Express your love."

"Oh..." Inuyasha said, just understanding what the perverted monk was getting at, "we haven't... really... Uh... done... That."

"You can't be serious." Miroku replied incredulously. "You've been married for a year and you haven't consummated it?"

Inuyasha turned a deep shade a red. In all honesty, he'd never really thought about it. Kagome had never really made any moves to show that she wanted to, but then again, neither had he.

"So what?" Inuyasha replied defensively. "What does that matter?!"

Miroku laughed, only making Inuyasha madder and respond by punching the monk in the head. He quickly dropped the subject. Little did they know that Kagome was having a very similar conversation with Sango at that very moment.

"So Kagome, your anniversary is tonight, right?" Sango asked. They were alone in Sango's house. Most of the time they were both busy, Kagome with priestess training and Sango with her kids, so they didn't really have much time to just sit and talk anymore.

"Yeah." Kagome replied.

"Well?" Sango asked expectantly.

"Well what?" Kagome responded, not knowing what Sango was getting at.

"Come on Kagome! Do you have anything special planned?"

"Inuyasha says he has something planned, but I have no idea what it is."

"Oh, he's trying to surprise you eh? Well just make sure you make tonight fun. The first anniversary is one of the best times for that." Sango said winking. Kagome blushed, her face turning bright red.

"What do you mean Sango?"

"Oh you know. Try new things... Between the sheets."

"Oh... Um... Uh..." Kagome stammered, "We haven't really tried anything yet..."

"Wait, you've been married a year and you're still a virgin? That doesn't make any sense!"

"Well we've both been really busy. I think Inuyasha was just glad to have me back and didn't want to push his luck."

"I guess I can understand that, but you've gotta promise me something Kagome."

"Okay Sango, what is it?"

"If he doesn't make a move, you've got to."

"What? You mean, I've got to make the move?" She said, getting nervous just from the thought.

"Yes! Inuyasha doesn't know what he's doing! Even if he does try something, he'll probably botch it!"

Kagome couldn't argue with that. Inuyasha had never really been the romantic type and that probably wouldn't change tonight.

"Okay, I promise." Kagome said finally, "If he doesn't try anything, I'll make sure it happens."

"Good. You know, I was starting to wonder why you two didn't have kids yet. I was pregnant with the twins within a few weeks."

"Wow, that's fast." Kagome said, surprised.

"Well, I kinda had to move fast. Gotta keep that wandering monk's appetite sated and tied down somehow." Sango said smiling.

"Yeah, I guess so." Kagome laughed.

A few hours had passed before Miroku and Inuyasha finally arrived back at their village. Kagome saw them coming from a small hill where she was gathering herbs. Inuyasha saw her too and waved. She waved back, smiling. Inuyasha was carrying four baskets of rice and leading a boar by a piece of rope. That must have been Miroku's fee for the exorcism.

"Wow, Miroku really does rip these people off." Kagome thought to herself. "But I guess with three kids, you gotta put food on the table somehow." With her position as a priestess, the village provided for her and Inuyasha. Any other food or resources that they wanted, Inuyasha caught in the forest. Inuyasha set the food down by Miroku and Sango's house and then ran over to Kagome.

"Hey Kagome. How was your day?" Inuyasha asked, embracing her.

"It was nice. Sango and I got the chance to talk for the first time this week."

"Good, I'm glad."

"How was yours?" Kagome asked him.

"It was alright. The demon we had to slay was pretty weak. I'm sure the villagers could have taken care of it, but it's blood got everywhere. Definitely wasn't worth the long trip."

"That sounds terrible. Well don't worry. We'll have a good night tonight." She blushed lightly and winked at him. Inuyasha blushed heavily and Kagome noticed.

"Uh... Yeah... I uh... Hope so..." Inuyasha stammered.

Kagome chuckled lightly and walked back towards their house. She was looking forward to tonight.