I have created a Spotify Playlist of the songs used, so you don't have to go hunting for them. The Playlist will be updated as the fic is updated, so there'll be no spoilers about what's coming down the road.

Songs used in this chapter:

(1) Breathin (Piano Version) – Piano Peace (originally by Ariana Grande)

"Sooo, how're things going with the album?" Sango asked Kagome as she sipped her coffee. Their lunch had ended early, so they had some time before they needed t meet the boys at the studio, and both women were enjoying the last of their drinks before they headed over.

Kagome said nonchalantly, "It's fine. We're making progress."

"That's good. Has Kouga been behaving himself?"

Kagome shrugged, trying to downplay the incident the week prior, "He's alright. Though when he and Inuyasha are alone together, they can be so… so…"

"Stupid?" Sango finished, understanding what Kagome meant without her even having to say it.

"Ugh… Is it mean to say 'yes'?" Kagome smiled sheepishly.

"Not if it's true," Sango confirmed with sideways grin, "And yes, as someone who's worked with both of them enough to know their dynamic, I know exactly what you mean. Though, hopefully, they don't let it get in the way of your work."

Kagome held in a comment, looking down at her cup, and immediately tipping off Sango.

"Kagome?"

"It's not that they… they…" she paused to correct herself and find better wording, "I know they both just want to help. But sometimes, it can get to be a lot when they both start playing tug-of-war over songwriting choices. Inuyasha has a better handle on what I'm going for artistically, but Kouga has more experience as a producer and I respect his advice, and I want to listen to both of them. But it's hard. I feel torn sometimes."

"They both just want the best for you; we all do. But at the end of the day, it's your album, and if they need to be put in their place, maybe I should start coming around to keep them in check for you."

Kagome raised her hand with a quick shake, "That's alright. You shouldn't have to sacrifice your time to deal with them like a babysitter. But I appreciate the sentiment."

"Speaking of… how've thing been progressing outside the songwriting? Anything you'd like to report?" Sango asked coyly, peering over the rim of her coffee cup while taking a tactful sip.

With a suspicious squint in her eye, unsure what her friend was trying to get at, Kagome asked, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on, Kagome. You know what I mean. It's been a few months, and last we talked about it, you were gonna think about maaaaybe… finally going out with Inuyasha? When you both had some more time…?"

Kagome's shoulders slumped a little as she sighed, "I dunno… I like what we have."

"Are you really satisfied with just being friends with him?"

"Maybe… no… I don't know. When we're together, everything else just kinda… falls away, and all that matters what's happening in the room between us. The outside world just kinda stops existing for a while."

"That's so poetic," Sango said wistfully.

Kagome put down her cup and started rustling around for her phone in her purse, "But, that doesn't mean it has to be anything more than what it is. I like it too much to jeopardize it."

"What's the hang up? What's the worst thing that could happen if you were to just ask?"

"Nothing…"

"Kagome…"

"Well, maybe… fear of being rejected…?" Kagome thought aloud.

"In general? Or just by him?" Sango inquired knowingly.

Kagome stayed quiet for a moment, fiddling with her coffee mug, "I've never been afraid to turn down a guy before. I always felt justified in my reasons. But this is the first time I've ever wanted to ask someone out, and now I wonder if this is how guys always felt when they tried to ask me out? Makes me feel bad about how I went about turning guys down before.

I keep getting signals from Inuyasha that I think say one thing, but then he can turn on a dime and I'm not sure what to think anymore. I'm just not certain he'd be receptive and what he'd think of me if I asked."

Sango's face lit up, "Kagome… you remember how many times I turned Miroku down when he asked me for a date?"

Kagome laughed a little as she remembered, "Maybe three?"

"Five times," Sango corrected, "And do you know how many of those times I gave him a reason why not?" Kagome shook her head before Sango continued, "Zero."

"You never told him why?"

"Nope, because at the end of the day, I didn't need to give him a reason why I didn't want to; I just didn't at the time. It wasn't until we started hanging out more as bandmates and friends that I saw what kind of a guy he was —considerate and charming; smart and articulate — and I decided I wanted to give things a try with him. I ended up asking him out, which he was, apparently, totally surprised by. And so far, I haven't regretted that decision once," Sango paused, considering her friend for a moment before continuing.

"My point is that, sometimes, just because someone isn't ready right at that moment doesn't mean they might not be later down the road. Even if Inuyasha says no, it doesn't mean he doesn't like you, or wouldn't be open to going out with you sometime in the future."

Sango leaned toward Kagome, her voice dropping almost to a whisper, "Now, that being said, don't put all your eggs in one basket and get your hopes up, but considering how much time you two spend together and how much you've come along over the last few months, I wouldn't be surprised if he said no initially, but then is interested in a little while, once he's had some time to adjust to the idea."

"You think…?" Kagome wondered.

"I'm sure you're just as aware as we are that Inuyasha doesn't exactly have a robust dating life. He keeps to himself. He doesn't put himself out there a lot, and I'm sure he's thinking the same thing you are; that there's no way this badass and talented woman could ever be interested in him."

Kagome heart fluttered a little at that, thinking that maybe there was a possibility that Inuyasha was just as unsure as she was, 'Maybe… that's why he can be so hot and cold…?'

"He's not great with his emotions, but he definitely has a soft spot for you, Kagome. We can all see it."

Kagome peered up at her friend, "Really?"

With a nod, Sango reiterated, "You're both insecure and nervous because neither of you have much experience, so it feels like a bigger deal than it really is. There's no harm in just asking, and if it works out, then you didn't waste years of your life pining over each other when you could've been happy together."

"And if he says no?" Kagome asked, her anxiety about the alternative option peaking.

Sango sighed, "If he says no — which is already a BIG IF — it just means you can stay the way things are. Nothing has to change, and at least you can say you tried."

Kagome hands wrung the napkin under the table as her mind raced with what Sango had told her. She was right. Kagome knew she was right.

But that didn't make it any easier to act on. It did, however, give her some confidence that she didn't need to worry as much as she did about how Inuyasha felt. After all, Sango and the others would know better. They knew Inuyasha for a lot longer than she had, and if they're saying he liked her, then at the very least, she knew he enjoyed her company, even if they didn't end up dating. And she could live with that.

"Alright," Kagome said aloud, placing the napkin down on the table and pushing herself to stand from her seat, "You've convinced me."

Sango joined her in grabbing their things as they headed off towards the studio to meet up with the others.

Across town at small bar, Inuyasha was dealing with Miroku in a similar fashion over a few drinks.

"Can it, Miroku. I don't wanna talk about it," Inuyasha crudely sniped back at his friend, taking a sip of his beer to ignore the question at hand.

"Oh come on, Inuyasha," Miroku asked playfully, leaning back against the bar as he peered over at his friend, "you can't honestly tell me that despite how you act around her, you don't have any feelings for Kagome?"

"What makes you think that even if I did think of her that way that I'd ever divulge that information to you?"

"Because as much as you try to play up this tough act of yours, we're still friends," Miroku answered, teasing Inuyasha that he had a friend.

Inuyasha gave a gruff scoff, "Keh, what good would it do?"

"Have you given any thought as to how she might feel? And if, perhaps, she may be someone you could see yourself… having a relationship with?"

Inuyasha muttered under his breath, "Not a chance."

"And why's that?"

"Because what reasonable person would voluntarily choose to date a half-demon like me?"

"Kikyo did," Miroku answered.

Near instantly, Inuyasha replied in threatening tone, "Kikyo lied to me... Made me believe she loved me before telling me it all meant nothing to her."

There was an awkward beat of silence before Miroku pressed on, "Kagome doesn't see you that way, and you know it. You even told me as much; how she stood up to Kouga and defended you…? Not even Kikyo did that for you!"

Inuyasha's jaw hitched a little at that, realizing he may have let his cards show, "Yeah, well, just 'cause she's a good person doesn't mean she has any interest in me beyond being friends."

"And if she did…? Have an interest, I mean?" Miroku prodded.

"So what? It's not like it makes a difference," Inuyasha rationalized.

Miroku hit a breaking point… "Inuyasha, stop being stubborn for one second and just listen!" he seethed, glaring at his friend.

Inuyasha's head turned so fast, he was sure he had whiplash. He'd never been scared of Miroku, but this was damn near close.

Miroku sighed as he reined in his irritation, "I know you have your reasons for being so careful about these kinds of situations. I know that things with Kikyo were complicated—"

Inuyasha could immediately feel his defenses come right back up, "Watch what you say…"

"But it's been over eight years, Inuyasha…" Miroku continued as if Inuyasha hadn't interrupted, "What happened with Kikyo happened, and there's nothing you can do to change that. But Kagome is here now, and if there's even a chance that you could be happy with her, why not give it shot?"

"You know why," Inuyasha threw back under his breath, "You think I enjoyed having my life ripped apart in front of me like that? Like I want to go through that again?"

"But who's to say that same would happen with Kagome? Just because Kikyo ended things badly with you doesn't mean Kagome would do the same. Give her some credit."

Inuyasha shook his head stubbornly, "I do! She's… the only person I've been able to talk about certain things with. I trust her, I do. But when the only relationship you've ever had with a person ended with them telling you how no one could love someone like you… Let's just say that fucks with a guy, 'kay?"

Miroku gave his friend a sympathetic look, understanding why Inuyasha was so on edge when it came to this topic, but it hurt him to know his friend was potentially cutting himself off from a truly happy life. He decided to ask, "Have you told Kagome? About Kikyo at all?"

When Inuyasha didn't give a response other than his jaw shifting uncomfortably, Miroku knew the answer his eyes softening at his friend's pain.

Inuyasha instantly tried to shrug it off, "Don't give me that look. All I want is to go about my life with minimal disruption. I like how things are, and if that means Kagome and I stay friends, then that's how it is."

"Oh Inuyasha…"

"Can we stop?"

Miroku gave a solemn nod, accepting his friend's stance as they paid their tabs and headed out to join the others.

To say that there had been an unspoken tension during their jam session would be an understatement. Everyone seemed to be keeping everything professional and to the point, resulting in a quicker day than they all had anticipated.

Shippo decided it was best for him to make a quick exit while there was a lull in the awkwardness, claiming he had plans later anyways, and that they'd gotten what they needed done.

Inuyasha had just finished putting away his guitar while Kagome sat at the piano when he heard Sango say, "I guess we'll see you guys next week?"

Kagome shook her head, "Sorry, I'll have to miss next week. Work thing."

Sango nodded, "Alright. We'll figure it out later then." She sent Kagome a knowing look, her eyes glancing back to Inuyasha, her chin gutting out towards him as a signal to her friend, silently telling her, 'Go for it!'

It wasn't long before Sango and Miroku made their own exit and the room grew quiet once more, leaving Inuyasha and Kagome alone in the acoustically padded room.

Kagome's heartbeat sped a few beats, her conversation with Sango ringing in her ears, ' "He's not great with his emotions, but he definitely has a soft spot for you, Kagome. We can all see it." '

She could hear Inuyasha move behind her, sounding like he was putting on his jacket. She turned and managed to pause his movement, "Hey…"

With one arm through a sleeve, he turned to look over his shoulder, "Yeah?"

"Do you… wanna stick around a little bit? We still have some time on the schedule, and there's something I was working on that I was hoping you could help me with."

Inuyasha didn't need his heightened sense of smell to tell Kagome was nervous about something. He had seen it in her face the moment he walked into the room.

But he knew he couldn't turn down her request. He nodded, "Sure. Whatcha got?"

Her face lit up a little as he threw his jacket back onto the top of his guitar case and made his way back towards her and the piano. She turned to settle into the keys as she felt Inuyasha sit next to her on the bench, facing the opposite direction.

Kagome felt herself shiver as the heat radiated off of his body caused goosebumps to raise across her skin. She never realized how much she missed having him near. How much her body craved being close to him. She was struggling to compose herself, even to try and remember the music she had written and was supposed to be playing right now.

She started to haphazardly playing a few keys, like she'd lost her placement, (1) before letting the melody emerge.

It was only a few bars in before her hands shook a little too much to keep playing. Inuyasha asked quietly, "Everythin' okay?"

"Uh, yeah," she replied quickly, sounding unsure even to her own ears.

"Kagome… You're not a good liar," he said back, sounding somewhat disappointed.

Kagome turned to him, her hands recoiling from the keys, "What?"

"I can tell… when you're not yourself," he said honestly and his eyes reflecting a sadness she hadn't seen from him in a while.

"I just…" she struggled to explain herself, "It's nothing, really."

"It's fine," he said in an attempt to be reassuring, but instead coming off as cold. He cut her off quickly, rising from the bench to put some distance between them.

Kagome faced him as he walked back towards the couch, her face somewhat distraught, "Inuyasha…?"

"I think it's better I head out," his voice was somewhat flat in tone, and Kagome grew worried.

She stood abruptly from the bench, almost in a panic, "Inuyasha, wait!" Before she even realized what she was doing, Kagome had rushed to Inuyasha from behind, gripping his shirt in her small fists and burying her face in his back, holding onto him like as if he would disappear if she let him go.

She didn't want him to leave again, not like before. She couldn't take it if he left once more — the thought left her feeling cold and alone.

Inuyasha froze when he felt her hands grasp his shirt and the heat of her body against his back. Her scent was shifting and spiking… telling him that she was nervous… and afraid. The soft smell of her tears stung his heart.

"Please… Don't…" her voice hitched through a sob, "Don't leave," she said it so quietly he wasn't sure he even heard her. But he could hear the shakiness in her voice. He hadn't imagined it. Though, based on his track record for hallucinating things, he wasn't altogether sure this wasn't some elaborate delusion.

After a moment, his ears twitched in the quiet and he chanced looking over his shoulder, where Kagome was pressing her face into his back, trying to hide herself.

"Kagome…?" he asked softly, afraid he'd scare her if he spoke any louder.

Her body shifted a little against his when she tried to take a calming breath, and he took the opportunity to turn around and face her, her hands finally loosening their tight hold on his shirt. Her face stayed downward, and she avoided meeting his gaze as he took her by her shoulders. He asked in as calm a tone he could manage, "What's wrong?"

Kagome was arguing with herself. This wasn't how she wanted things to go. She'd hoped maybe they could talk, it was always so easy to talk to him. But right now, words were failing her and she just wanted to communicate what was going on in her head. She just wanted to get it out in the open.

And then… she felt Inuyasha's thumb and finger tilt her chin up, encouraging her to look at him. And as soon as she could feel the searing heat of his sunset eyes burning into hers, she knew she couldn't hold it back anymore.

Kagome reached her hand up to his cheek and threaded them back into his hair, pulling him down to meet her halfway as she pressed her lips against his in a searing kiss that simultaneously communicated everything and nothing. It left Kagome in a sense of euphoria, and she knew she would never be satisfied with anything else than his warmth.

It took Inuyasha a second to realize what had happened, leaving him momentarily stunned. The feel of her soft lips against his once again, her nails lightly scraping at his neck, and her body pressed against his, Inuyasha was lost to everything but her. Every one of his senses became filled with all that was Kagome, and he let himself go, his arm wrapped around her as his hand rose to lightly hold her cheek as he angled back against her lips.

When Kagome felt him return her kiss, she let out a shuddered breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, almost sounding like a sob. A wave of relief came over her at not receiving his rejection, and only feeling even more of the heat that was uniquely his and bathed her in a sentiment of acceptance.

Their lips slowly started to part from one another as they both came back down to earth, grounding themselves in reality once again. Inuyasha pressed his forehead against hers as Kagome attempted to catch her breath before tempting to even look at him.

Luckily, she was met with that golden stare once again, accompanied by his handsome smirk, though more innocent than its usual cocksureness. His thumb brushed along the side of her cheek and Kagome felt suddenly present in her body again, "Inu… yasha…?"

"Yeah?" he asked, his voice matching hers in breathlessness.

"Did… did I just…?" she couldn't verbalize anything, stunned her own boldness.

His smirk soon turned cocky once again, knowing exactly what she was trying to ask, as he answered knowingly, "Yeah… yeah you did, Higurashi."

He could feel her exasperated sigh as she pushed forward, leaning her face back into his chest, hoping to hide her embarrassment, "I'm sorry. I've… I've never done anything like that before."

She felt him chuckle slightly, "Don't be."

Kagome lifted her head back to his, unsure she'd heard him right. It wasn't long before she felt his hand smooth her hair back from her face before cupping her cheek again, his lips pressing against hers once more. She melted under his touch and knew that this wasn't a fluke. Inuyasha was kissing her!

Every fiber of her being lit up, her nerve endings on fire and fixated on anything that was Inuyasha. She felt his tongue briefly make its way across her lips, as if asking her permission to move further. Her spine tingled in a way she had never felt before as she eagerly reciprocated the action with her own tongue. Her hands made their way up his chest, taking hold of his shoulder for fear that she would lose all control of herself and collapse in front of him like a pile of goo. She was totally at his mercy, and she never felt more alive.

At her response, Inuyasha ventured a little further, their tongues mingling together and providing an entirely new sensation for them both, the tepid sounds of their lips fading into the distance as their blood rushed through their ears, only shattering once Kagome let out the softest of moans against his mouth. God, he'd never heard anything sweeter or more heavenly than that small noise, and he knew he'd never be able to get enough of it.

Her breath hitched when she felt Inuyasha's hands fall to encircle her waist, pressing into her sides in just a way that sent her into a spiral, as she became aware of a building pressure between her thighs that she'd only felt a handful of times in her life, most of them where when Inuyasha was around, and usually with a guitar in his hands. She felt like he was handling her the same way he handled his guitars; with an expert's knowledge of exactly how to make them sing.

That wonderfully spicy scent of hers had returned, and Inuyasha was getting intoxicated off of it. He as immediately thrown back to that night at her apartment when he'd kissed her on her couch, and how that scent of hers had him utterly undone. However, she had been drunk then, and near unconsciousness. And now… she was stone cold sober.

Inuyasha gingerly pulled away from her, watching as her eyes soon focused and looked up at him, half-lidded and full of something… That same look she gave him when she was drunk on the couch, and on top of him. Any hint of nervousness was gone, and he was solely enveloped in her.

"Kagome…" he breathed out in a low rumble, making her quiver at the way he'd said her name.

"Inuyasha, I… I just want to be… with you. To be near you. I can't explain why. I feel so… at ease with you," Her hands found purchase on his shirt once again as she spoke, finally feeling enough courage to say what she felt she needed to.

He knew what she meant. He kissed her forehead in reply, holding her tight against him, "I thought you'd never say anything."

Kagome was a little surprised to hear that, "What do you mean?"

Inuyasha stumbled to answer, "I thought for a while now that maybe you were… You're scent, it… it would change sometimes, and I never really knew what that meant. I didn't know if maybe… you…"

Kagome realized what he was trying to say, a little embarrassed that her arousal around him was probably so obvious to him. So, she asked timidly, "So, why… didn't you say anything?"

He hesitated for a second, "Because, with everything that happened… with your father, and all the other stuff you had going on… I just wasn't sure, and I didn't want you to have to deal with another thing if I was wrong."

Unconsciously, Kagome felt herself release her breath, and she shuddered as she thought, 'He… he was trying to give me room to breathe.'

All in a moment, Kagome felt like she understood Inuyasha so much more, "You're so considerate."

When his embrace around her tightened, Kagome took it as a positive sign. 'Man of action, not words,' she reminded herself. Kagome took a few deep calming breaths, breathing in the unique cologne that was Inuyasha. It only drove her insane with want.

Her hands made a small movement to tug at his shirt, a lame attempt to pull it from his jeans. She wasn't sure what had come over her, but she felt so emboldened to keep going. She moved slowly, demurely, eventually snaking her hand underneath his shirt to feel the muscles of his abdomen and back that she'd long dreamt about after seeing the glimmers of them on a handful of occasions at his apartment.

The warm touch of her small hands on his skin only drew Inuyasha further into her. Nothing outside of them existed anymore, and all he could focus on was her — her scent, her touch, her voice — everything that was Kagome, and god, how he wanted more of it.

Mirroring her motions, if only a little, he threaded his hand under her oversized sweater, feeling the soft and heated skin of her waist underneath under his fingertips.

Kagome shuddered under his touch, her head tilting back as she gasped, though there wasn't a moment to spare before Inuyasha had found her lips again, picking up right where'd they'd left off. It was an adrenaline rush like nothing she'd ever felt before, and she wanted to see how high she could go.

Her hands made their way north over his rippled back, pulling her nails lightly over his skin and pressing herself completely against his frame, instantly becoming aware of his own excitement as it pressed against her stomach.

It was Inuyasha's turn to let out a low and guttural sounding moan at that sweet pressure, and returning it in kind. His claws dragged over her hip as he held her tight, grinding ever so slightly against her, eliciting more of that drunkenly spicy scent of hers as she moaned into his lips.

In that instant, Kagome found herself no longer standing on solid ground before her back came into contact with the seat of the plush leather couch only two feet away, and Inuyasha, having never broken their kiss, pressed sensually against her, his kisses moving along her jaw and down the column of her neck. She could feel his fangs as they dragged over her flesh, and it was so erotic, she thought she might be incinerated by the intensity of it all. Her arms came around his shoulders, a hand around the back of his neck and holding onto him like she'd lose her mind if she let go.

He worked over a spot on her neck, gently teasing, biting, licking and kissing it, and reveling in the sweet euphoric sounds that she emitted from her throat during it all. Her hands migrated across his scalp, tentatively moving higher until they reached his small, furry ears. She carefully ran her fingers against them and felt them flick against her hand.

Inuyasha lifted his head from the juncture of her neck and shoulder, staring down at her like he'd cornered some prey, and practically licking his lips in anticipation. Her cheeks were flushed so bright red, like a child with their hand in the cookie jar when she'd been caught touching his ears, "I'm sorry…" she started to apologize, but Inuyasha stopped her before she could continue.

"You really like my ears, don't you?" he asked through an assured grin and a wicked tone, with said ears flicking eagerly as he listened for her answer.

Kagome averted her gaze under his intense stare and pulled her hands close to her chest, holding them like they were animals that needed to be reined in, "I couldn't help it. They're just so… so you."

His heart melted at that, "You really don't mind… that I'm half-demon?" It wasn't so much a question as a statement.

Her eyes darted back to his, "Of course not! Half-demon, demon, or human; it wouldn't matter. All that matters is that… it's you. And you're Inuyasha."

Something about the way she said it, she was so sure, so defiant, it resonated with him the same way her voice would resonant when she sang. It struck a chord, and Inuyasha felt lighter… freer. He'd held on for so long, thinking that Kikyo's last words to him were true…

'How could anyone love a half-breed like you?!'

Kagome's hands roaming up and over his chest were what brought him back to reality, and when he felt her hands delve a little farther south, he was suddenly reminded what they were even doing — he'd let the wrong head be in charge for too long, and it was getting him into trouble.

It was quick, but she felt his hands slowly take her wrists, pulling them away from him and stilling her immediately. It wasn't aggressive, but it was enough to make her worried. Her eyes widened as she stared up at him, her voice unsure, "Inu… yasha?"

Had she said or done something stupid? Had she upset him?

He was quick to soothe the worried look on her face as he sensed her nervousness peaking once more. He leaned down and kissed her appreciatively before pressing his forehead into the crook of her neck. Catching his own breath, he said deliberately to explain, "I don't have anything with me… Can't say I was prepared for this."

The sudden realization of what they were about to do hit Kagome like a wave. She'd been so lost in the moment, and just wanting to feel even closer to him, it hadn't even really dawned on her. Her stomach was suddenly doing flips, and she wondered, 'Would I have…?'

When he slowly disconnected from her, standing up from the couch and giving her space, she instinctively wanted to reach out for him, not wanting to lose that feeling they'd been adrift in not a few minutes earlier. But clearly, they had a lot of process. Where did this leave them?

Kagome slowly sat up, making sure her clothing and hair were falling where they should. She watched as Inuyasha rubbed his hands over his face in what appeared to be mild stress, trying his best to rid himself of whatever he was currently dealing with. He sighed before letting his hands fall away and turning back to her, seeing her sitting precariously on the couch, looking slightly uncomfortable and not knowing what to do with herself.

He gave her a sympathetic look before he offered her an out, "Maybe… we should call it a day."

He didn't miss the mild disappointment that crossed her face before she answered, "Sure…"

Ahhh, I know it's cruel to leave it there, but not to worry, not too many chapters left before we get to some other good stuff *eyebrow wiggle*.

Thanks again to the absolutely wonderful Ruddcatha for beta-reading this chapter! She's an angel!

Please be sure to follow/subscribe/favorite/review/kudos/whatever things if you like this fic! Any engagement is appreciated. 3

Until Next Time…