Hard to find motivation these days. It might be this job or my crazy house with a 5 year old and 5 month old.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would review and within your review, write what you anticipate in future chapters?
 I am already finished with the skeleton of the whole story and just putting meat to the body now, I am just curious to see if I have left this predictable or if there is any guessing or mystery left to my plot. Thanks for reading!

I do not own Inuyasha, but I do own this story.

The Countdown

Chapter 3

Bringing You Home

Every moment that you were able was far beyond anything I could have dreamt up. We spent many days together, enjoying the smallest things. You had opened up so greatly and talked more freely in our moments hidden away from the world. It was strange the was you would stay quiet and stoic during our visits and dates in the public eye, as if you were always on guard. You provoked my mind, pushed all of my buttons to get a response, and sparked my soul.

After our first weekend at the beach house, you invited me for many more evenings together. Our schedules were so versatile and forgiving to our manipulation of time. I could have lived off of the happiness you filled me with and we were not even at our peak moments yet. Every sweet moment together, from my bench to your beach house, you opened up to me. But our sweet moments stayed very ordinary in a sense. You never pushed physical affection beyond hand holding and I never asked you to do more. Somehow, I knew then just like I know now that I would wait forever.

Our first summer quickly faded into autumn and we saw a year marker for the first time we met. I had surprised you that day. You had come to the park and found my bench vacant save for a squirrel munching on the bag of popcorn I had left in my place. I had watched you from behind a tree as you turned and scanned the area. A group of pedestrians smoking cigarettes was moving quickly towards you and I had taken the opportunity to hide among them. I wrapped my arms around you from behind and nearly peed my pants when you turned ready to strike, all stiff flexed muscle sliding from my grasp. The many years between your feudal era and meeting me had done nothing to lessen your senses or your ability to battle. You were still a warrior. You even kept your swords and armor in perfect condition on display in your home next to your traditional royal attire.

I had questioned many times how you had missed me in the crowd as we had sat and eaten our lunch on a blanket in the grass. You kept the answers short, as with everything you spoke of, telling me that it was all part of the glamour set up to protect yourself. You were always so cautious and I honestly still believe I am intrigued by your mysteriousness more now than I was at the time. You were like a shining star in my life, just outside of my reach even though you would tease me with brief moments.

I told you that once. That I could not believe you wanted me, a ordinary human with no political or financial pull. There was nothing special about me, nothing to benefit you beyond companionship. You assured me that I was anything but ordinary. I was your light in the darkness, your break from life that you were afraid you would lose. I held your hand the rest of that day and as much as I could after that, telling you that this was real. How silly. I spent so much time convincing you I was not leaving and in turn had convinced myself that you were truly here to stay. If only it could have stayed that simple.

Christmas came in a rush of snow and decorations. We filled out stomachs with my home cooked pastries and hot chocolate and our hearts with each other during the day. The weeks beforehand I had struggled to find the perfect gift for the man with everything and all of the money. All I had that no one else could give was my love. I had known for months that I was falling deeply in love with you, but I refused to say it. I should have though. I should have said it as much as possible.

We spent our night lying in your roof top apartment in front of the fire place on a large white fur rug. You served wine and I brought sweet fruits to munch on. We exchanged gifts and giggles. You had presented the more beautiful hair pin with matching earrings and necklace, a far greater gift than anything I could ever afford. I gave you a small ornate silver lotus bud perched on a tiny glass plate. The flower was meant to 'bloom' over a couple of weeks and inside would be a small message of gratitude and love. You kissed my nose and I finally saw you behave truly playfully. You had tickled me until I begged you to stop, even nibbling at your hand. You had kissed me so passionately I thought I was going to pass out but the darkness never pulled me under. That night had made me realized that since the beach house kiss, I had not felt your youki or seen past your glamour. You worked so hard to stay in control and I had so desperately sought for your to lose it.

The weeks passed too quickly and the flower was not quite in full bloom when you lost control for the first time. You showed a hint of anger through that cool composure you kept so well when I asked you about your father. You never talked about him a lot and I was curious. My questioning led to a very icy shoulders and a slight loss of your self-control. You had gotten so upset that your youki had spiked across the room to pinch and prick my skin. The moment was slightly terrifying and new to me. Time told me that you were living in a shadow of your father, at least you honestly believed that. He had died more than 500 years ago and yet you were still holding onto your negative feelings, afraid to see past the clouds and let the sun shine in.

Days passed before you called me. There was no direct apology, only an invitation to a high end restaurant and a couple of gifts sent to my home. It was an outfit fit for a princess! The silky shimmered and shimmied, glistening purple and blue in a way almost similar to the sun reflecting off of an oil spill. It was magical and form fitting from chest to hips and falling gracefully down my legs with an elegant slit in the fabric to mid thigh. You even sent shoes, strappy and black. I picked out the jewelry you had presented to me previously and I felt like royalty. Make up done and hair finished, I walked out to greet you.

Dinner had been amazing; you even fed me bits of our chocolate dessert though you never took a bite. You were ever the chivalrous gentleman, all the way through the night. You drove me home and declined my offer of a sleep over though you did join me for tea, to spend those last few seconds absorbing our time together. The night crept on and I became more needy and demanding for you to stay. You conceded to staying, but nothing more than innocent cuddles were to be between us. I had hoped to change you mind, hoping I could get your passion to show. You did not budge and I slept with your arms tight around me until the sun peaked through the open curtains. Why had I left them open?

We spent many more weeks going on weekly dates. Some weeks you even invited me out more than once. We visited restaurants and museums until the weather warmed up then you took me out to the zoo. No matter what we had planned or what we did during our off time, you still sat on that bench in that park with me every day you could. We watched the very beginning of spring in the birds building nests in the trees. You asked me again why this park, why this bench, and why every day. I finally tried to explain that day of the beauty in each moment, of the monotony of each person and how I loved to watch life go on.

My birthday always came far after all the snow had melted. I was never lucky enough to have a snowy birthday with my immense love for the white fluffy falling ice. Before you, I had always thought of my birthday as just another day of the year, as a meaningless time to celebrate when I never seemed to have the means to party. Even my friends stopped calling after I told them my feelings on the matter, but you changed that.

It was all such a tremendous surprise. I had booked shoots in March, more than I would normally do, and it brought much attention to my business into the beginning of April, it was so very different to be the one working late. I remember having even missed a lunch in the park from my work. You were ever the understanding compassionate man, even though you hid behind your façade.

It was April 8th and I had worked through my birthday, unable to get a moment beyond lunch which we spent together on my bench, snacking on a bento I had cooked and packed. You kissed my forehead and told me happy birthday before we parted. I almost felt disappointed that there was not more, but quickly reminded myself that I never wanted anything more from this day. It was just another day, wasn't it?

No, it wasn't just another day. You taught me to celebrate myself because I was important and not just to you but to many people. The night I worked late, I came home to the pitch black darkness of night only to be surprised by friends and family. How did you get the time or means to contact my mother? You had never met her and we had never even talked about when the time would be right. I always assumed it would be over a festival at the shrine. Did you ever have the chance to take numbers from my phone?

The party drew the sweetest salty droplets of water to my eyes. I never knew this much happiness could come from something so simple, but you thought of me and knew in yourself that I needed this. I greeted everyone, sharing hugs and kisses, when I found my cousin sharing a seat with her silver haired boyfriend who favored you greatly. Who would have known that my cousin was dating your brother! I had met him once before but never paid it any mind.

You planned a huge dinner for everyone and even catered to the food. There was wine and even my absolute favorite chocolate cake decorated with chocolate covered strawberries. I must have realized then that you were telling me you loved me, without words. That was just like you, hiding your emotions through your thoughtful expressions.

I vaguely remembered everyone leaving. We were having such fun. Dinner had moved into games and small talk with music playing softly in the background. I could not have imagined a better way to spent my birthday night than with the ones I treasure the most.

my cousin and your brother were the last to leave. You let them out while I picked up the few glasses scattered around the apartment. I was humming to myself, feeling slightly hazy from the wine, when you came up behind me and scared me. Your arms snaked around my torso and pulled me in tight, I could not have run even if I had wanted to. You whispered in my ear, so quietly I could barely hear you. I love you.

My heart was gone. It had grown wings and flown to the heavens while the butterflies multiplied in my stomach. Mouth dry and breath hitched, I found a miniscule pip to reply. I love you. I had always loved you but this was the first time the words escaped my soul to touch yours. How was it possible for you to hold me closer? I felt like we were in a romance movie, swaying to the background music. Or were we moving to the music our hearts were making together.

You picked me up bridle style and carried me to the bed. Would this be the moment we would become one? Would you just tease me once more? The bed molded to our bodies as you laid us down, kissing a line from my nose to one cheek and over to the other before capturing my lips in your passion. Trails of fire followed your fingertips under my shirt and then there was nothing. I had scrambled, searching for you, desperate for you to return to me.

The room was spinning as I tried to find the floor. Where had you gone? I was almost in tears, feeling as if you had left me when you grabbed me down to the bed from behind. You had taken off articles of clothing, leaving just your pants.

The fire was back, chasing behind my shirt as you slipped it over my head. Was this all real? It went by so fast and I immediately regretted having anything to drink. I had asked myself so many questions. Would I remember this clearly later on? Would I give you everything that you would give me?

I pushed you away and climbed on top, nibbling and kissing down your chest before licking your pants line. We tumbled around, you moving like a graceful predator playing with his prey and me stumbling through. Our playful wrestling began chipping away at your control. Your glamour began to fade, maroon stripes showing on your face, arms, and torso. Were they on your legs too?

I had traced them with my fingers and you almost purred with your eyes closed. Your youki tickled across the room, pricking any available skin. You stopped me and rolled us over, pinning my hips with yours.

"Kagome." Your eyes were full of lust and lips moist from our kisses. "Move in with me."

How could I have refused an offer like that? I pushed our passionate embrace further, mumbling yes over and over into your mouth as you opened it to accept my tongue and probing.

You moved us until our clothes hit the floor and we became one in one swift movement that stole my breath and brought the smallest squeak of pain. I never told you that you were my first. You were the first to touch my body and the first to grab hold of my soul and fill it with an ardent burn for more. Bodies moved in sync, sweat gathering and pooling under us.

Both filled with each other, we fell into a deep slumber and into dreams of a growing future together.

Hope you enjoyed it!
Please review and leave me some motivation to write?