Inuyasha stalked the woods as he searched for a creature to outweigh that of Miroku and Shippo's. The lot of them were taking advantage of the dark of the night to prowl around the area. They sought tasty morsels to devour which would surpass one another. Inuyasha could smell Miroku not too far away. The human was surprisingly quiet with only a staff on hand. Inuyasha laughed to himself. Did that man really think he could take out anything with that puny tool only a fool would call a "weapon?"

The little demon Shippo was much farther off, high above the trees, resembling a large pink ball. Inuyasha had laughed outrightly when he'd seen the little guy blow up into that figure. Instead of being annoyed with Inuyasha, he had simply smiled. It caught him off guard, and he'd walked away with a mumble.

The three of them were all focused on the night's music, paying close attention to any creature that dared to approach. Inuyasha knew, without a doubt, that he'd pick the largest creature, but he was definitely curious to see what the others could find.

The moon was covered by opaque clouds, neither to be seen or felt. Trees hovered above them, enshrouding every nook in darkness. And the wind was silent, not a whisper to be found. Birds lay in slumber, yet insects sang their tune, and all the while, Inuyasha focused on a nearby crunch; an animal was close by.

He inched toward the sound, as a creature was surely no more than ten feet away from him. It moved along the grassy road, quiet foot-falls snapping down on sticks and leaves. Though it tried to seem lithesome, Inuyasha knew it had to have been large. He lifted his nose to take in a whiff, and smiled with anticipation. He knelt down, letting his eyes adjust. Finally, he could see the animal; a thick, brown buck the size of two men. It would be a hard take down for another, but Inuyasha would be able to handle it with certain ease.

He spread his fingers, nails outstretched, every ounce of determination pulsating through him. He pushed his feet down, digging into dirt. Then he leapt into the air, and swooped down on the animal.

But a flash of pink plummeted and slashed into the animal's neck. In an instant, it fell to the ground, dead with one fell.

Inuyasha growled at the pink ball standing before him. "What the hell'd you do that for?"

Shippo returned to his tiny orange figure and beamed up at Inuyasha, fangs glimmering. He placed one tiny foot on the deer's neck and said, "Beat you to it, Inuyasha."

"Couldn't you have picked something else? This deer was mine!"

Shippo shrugged. "That's what happens when you're too slow, old man."

Inuyasha's hands balled into a fist, and Shippo jumped back. "Don't hit me! I beat you fair and square!"

"Ain't nothin' fair about you stealing my prey, you little rodent!"

Shippo gasped. "I'm not a rodent! I'm a fox! You know better than to call me that!"

Just then, Miroku stepped in with an exasperated look to his face. He also held two snow monkeys on hand.

"I see you two have rekindled your relationship fairly easily."

"Shut up," Inuyasha barked.

Miroku sighed. "It's just like old times. Brings a tear to my eye."

Shippo rolled his eyes, then humphed when he returned to Inuyasha. Although, if one cared to notice, there was a suspicious gleam to his eye; one which told Miroku that he was having a little too much fun with the half breed.

"Stupid brat stole my catch," Inuyasha told Miroku.

Miroku looked at the dead figure and his eyes widened. "Good job, Shippo!"

Shippo smiled and Inuyasha chose then to stare at a tree and count to twenty.

"I managed to find some monkeys. I think their fur will be good for this winter. What do you think?" He looked expectantly at Inuyasha.

"Don't care."

"Ah, don't be such a grouch."

"Yeah, don't be such a grouch."

Inuyasha glared daggers at the little runt, and felt some inner force threaten to punch the maggot on the head. It was only Inuyasha's sterling patience which gave him the power to refrain from such an act. Still, he bared his teeth and growled again. Shippo jumped with a squeal right onto Miroku's leg. Inuyasha khe'd. "Annoying, little shit-head."

Shippo stuck his tongue out.

Inuyasha stepped forward, patience now gone. "Why you little-!"

"Ahhhhh!"

Miroku began to laugh and Inuyasha came to a halt, wondering why the hell the man was giggling like an asinine. He slapped his thigh and continued chortling, until both Inuyasha and Shippo crossed their arms over their chests and looked at each other. "What's up with him?" Inuyasha muttered.

"Guy's nuts," he replied.

They nodded in unison, and Miroku laughed and laughed.

With the deer on his back, Inuyasha and the others made their way back home. They walked through a path, passing trees and groves, until finally, they came to an open clearing of grass and stars. Inuyasha looked up into the night sky, his eyes now focusing on the white specks that twinkled and blinked. A few even soared through the tower of black. Shippo jumped when he saw this and said, "Look at that, guys!"

He continued to jump around, excitement pouring from him, and Inuyasha caught himself smiling at the kid, because, truly, that's what he was to him right then. Guilt nudged at him, momentarily, as he remembered how he thought of beating the runt. The little guy was so tiny, Inuyasha shook his head at the thought. He must have had a wretched story to tell if he was spending his time with so many humans. Inuyasha found himself becoming curious over the little guy, but sought to ask him questions some other time.

Right now, as the hour deepened, Inuyasha wanted nothing more than to head back home.

A yawn escaped his lips, and before he knew it, the others began to yawn, as well. Such an odd thing made him laugh, and he caught Miroku smiling. Shippo began to walk a bit slow and he looked at Inuyasha from the sides of his eyes, his timidity striking him to his core.

"What's up?" Inuyasha asked.

"I'm tired," Shippo groggily replied.

"We'll be home soon."

Shippo sighed. "Yeah, but I'm really tired."

Inuyasha blinked. "And?"

Miroku shook his head. "He wants you to hold him."

Inuyasha recoiled. "Ain't no way I'm letting that thing come near me!"

Shippo sighed again. "I'm about to sleep walk, I'm so tired." Sigh.

Inuyasha groused. "I feel no pity."

Loud sigh.

Miroku covered his mouth to stifle a grin. "He's really tired, Inuyasha. Also, you guys used to do that all the time."

"But I ain't the same guy," Inuyasha whined. "Shit's too weird."

Shippo turned away from Inuyasha and bowed his head, back slumped in dejection.

Inuyasha could hardly fathom why this was such a big deal; also, he couldn't understand why they wanted him to hold Shippo so badly. The kid was small, but he was still a demon, right? Which meant he was stronger than any human child, and didn't need the help of Inuyasha. He could see Miroku shaking his head, looking disappointed and Inuyasha felt another pang of guilt. What the hell was it about these beings that made him feel so bad all the time?

Stupid amnesia.

He'd understand everything a lot better if he simply had his memories back. How could he grow close to them if they felt to him nothing more than strangers? Damn it. He would have to open up and converse with them. They saw him as family, after all, and he wasn't that much of an ass to deny them of that feeling.

He combed his fingers through his hair and whispered, "Were we close?"

Miroku nodded. "We're family, Inuyasha."

"Okay, fine," he snapped, loud enough for Shippo to hear. "But if he makes it awkward, I'm shakin' him off."

Shippo hopped toward him, and his tiny figure rested right on top of Inuyasha's shoulder. The kid was so light, he marveled at the fact that he was able to kill that animal so swiftly.

"You okay resting next to a corpse?"

Shippo responded with a loud snore.

A muscle ticked in Inuyasha's temple.

Miroku came close to him, merely an arm's length away, seeking to converse. Inuyasha let him, because what was the point in pushing them away anymore? They wouldn't take no for an answer.

The monk hefted his morsels over his shoulder and held them with a string.

"Shippo is like you, in a way," he said, shocking Inuyasha.

"In what way?"

"He lost his parents a long time ago, before we came along. You and Kagome found him, and you two took him in when you found out his father had been killed by some demons."

"Figured as much."

"You helped him avenge his father's death and ever since then, he's stuck by you, like a little brother."

"Little brother, ay?"

The idea didn't repel him as he thought it would have. True, the kid was annoying, but Inuyasha figured it was only because he wanted his attention. No one could really fault him for wanting this, since he had been alone. Once again, Inuyasha wondered what kind of person he could have been to garner the affection of a group as diversified as this. He did not feel that he didn't deserve it; yet he remained shocked.

So many people cared for him. He was humbled.

A moment later, there was a rustle next to Miroku. Inuyasha came to a full stop, and whirled around to see who dared to approach. He cursed himself for having not smelt the demon and clenched his teeth. A shadow emerged, large and muscular. As it approached, they could see the dark green tint to its scaly skin, rivaling a snake. Its tongue slithered, and its teeth grinned sharply at Inuyasha.

He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down Inuyasha's spine. Offended by such a response, his claws unsheathed and he snapped, "Who the hell are you?"

"Inuyasha," it hissed, moving its serpent eyes searchingly over him. "You should prepare yourself, half breed. It isn't wise to walk around without your safety net of a weapon."

Who was this demon? He spoke to Inuyasha as if he knew him, yet by Miroku's guarded reaction, he knew that he had never met the demon before, until today. His "half breed" comment also rankled at his nerves. Such a statement always made him feel useless despite it being a fact. He shouldn't have to feel ashamed about it, yet here it stood, nagging at his heart.

"I don't need no stupid sword to take you down."

The demon's tongue moved in and out, tasting the air. "Perhaps. Perhaps not," he conceded. "Regardless, you should get it. The sky darkens every day. Can't you tell?"

"What the hell are you blabbering on about? Shut the hell up."

The creature looked to the heavens, and stared for a moment. Inuyasha could see a glint on his waist, indicating that he had a sword of his own, yet he chose not to unsheathe it. He realized that the demon did not wish to fight. He retracted his claws and frowned. Turning his gaze upward, he saw the moon reveal itself from a brush with clouds. It lit the area where they stood in only for a time, before more clouds raced by, covering the crescent completely.

"The sky darkens," the demon cryptically replied. He looked at Inuyasha, his gaze unblinking. "A war rages on."

"What war?" Miroku said. "What are you talking about?"

Inuyasha could see the man visibly shaking, and he felt Shippo as well, trembling. Something was off about this demon, yet they were left with questions unanswered as the demon quickly slithered away.

"What the fuck was that about?" Inuyasha snapped.

"Perhaps the demon wishes to frighten us."

"Sounded pretty sure about this war." What war he referred to, he had no inkling. The sky seemed as normal as ever, only marking a storm to come. Inuyasha couldn't feel any demonic presence either; at least, none other than the snake's.

"Let's just go," he told the group. "Even if there's nothing to worry about, we've got our families to take care of."

With a nod they walked, as if the devil's footprints were behind them.

Inuyasha found Kagome in their living room, and he had to shake himself, surprised by how relieved he felt to see her safe and at home. The demon had managed to scare the men enough to have them rushing there. Miroku was able to get to his family first, and Inuyasha was present to make sure all was well. He then walked with Shippo and woke the little demon when they approached Kaede's home. He ambled inside, whispering a sweet goodnight to Inuyasha.

Then he made a break for his home, whizzing past villagers, who were mere shadows of the hour. Worry toward Kagome ambushed him, a feeling so strong it nearly engulfed him. He could not imagine what he would do if she was not safe at home. He could not bear the thought.

Yet, here she was, waiting on him.

At least, he hoped so.

He studied her, the way she tidied up her house. No. Their house. Her graceful figure, moving from one end of the room to the other, mending pillows and dusting corners with ease and flair. Though it was night, she decided to have on a set of pants, and he mourned the view of her legs which she denied him. Maybe she would let him see them, if only he had the temerity to ask such a thing.

Her hair was let loose in waves he wished to swim in. Desire swelled below his groin, and he forgot to quell it, feeling no shame in enjoying her beauty and all that she was. After all, she was safe, and this moment, albeit late and short, felt right.

Finally, she turned around and noticed him standing there, watching her.

All thoughts of demons left him.

Kagome could see the hunger in his eyes. He could sense it in the way red tinged her gentle skin. She smiled somewhat abashedly, and he felt a wondrous sort of warmth blanket his heart. But not just that; a thought consumed him, yet filled him with awe: she was his.

She belonged to him and he wanted to imprint himself fully to her. Though he knew he once had, he wanted to do it again, to remember it forever; never to let it leave him again.

Would she let him?

Her eyes beseeched him, their glimmer a soft caress.

She would let him.

All he had to do was ask.

Kagome knew that look of hunger in Inuyasha. She knew it like she did the muscles on his back. When he'd opened up to her as her husband, his masks of desire made her shiver; their knowing eyes seducing her into a puddle of submission. Could this mean that he felt this way for her now, and if so, how was she to go about this? Would he let her kiss him more fully this time?

Inuyasha was young. But did that mean he was naive?

His pupils were dilated, and she could see the look of a predator covering his every gaze; from the way it scanned her body, focusing briefly on her core.

She arched a brow, though he did not see.

"Inuyasha," she said.

In an instant, his gaze met hers, his golden eyes lost in her own. "Kagome," he breathed.

She swallowed thickly, stamping her desire to run into his arms. Why did she stop this again?

"How was the hunt?"

He glanced at her lips. "Fine."

She nodded. "That's good. I-I couldn't sleep while you were away, so I thought to clean the house."

He blinked, now sobered, and stepped forward only to stop when he was but a foot away from her, worry covering his countenance. "Are you okay? What happened? Why can't you sleep?"

Kagome smiled gently. She couldn't sleep because she was worried about him. It was the first night he had gone away in some time, if only for a few hours, and she tormented herself with thoughts. He could have fallen or gone through another bout of amnesia, or worst, he could die.

She had to teach herself to be more confident in her husband.

But that wasn't exactly true, was it? She trusted him with all that she was, and her confidence in him rivaled deities. What she could not keep faith in was chance. Various tragedies taught her to act carefully with her every step. That's why she chose not to go demon hunting anymore. And why she wished he stood home with her. Chance could take him away from her for good, and what sort of life would she have without the man she loved, body and soul?

So lost in her thoughts, she had forgotten that he had asked her a question.

"Kagome?" he said, anxiety clearly in his orbs. He looked around the house, sniffing out whatever he could find. "Was there someone here? Did they hurt you?"

She shook her head, her breath gone from the sheer joy she felt over how worried he felt for her.

He likes me.

She could see it in his eyes. In the way that he moved. His hands were clasped on her shoulders, grasping her close.

"I-I'm fine, Inuyasha."

His grip on her tightened. "Then why couldn't you sleep?"

What was the point in keeping her thoughts from him? It was better that he know them all, that way no secret would be left between them. He would appreciate her sincerity, as he always had before.

"I was worried about you," she told him.

He released her, and moved back with a startled blink. "Worried about me?" he echoed.

She nodded.

He grinned, cocking his head to one side, looking thoroughly confused. One white ear twitched, and she could see a loose hair atop the rest. She came close and heard him take in a sharp breath. Her hand graced his mane, only to clasp onto the loose fiber. She showed it to him and blew it away with a smile.

"You're pretty close to my face," Inuyasha muttered, crimson suffusing his cheeks.

One delicate brow rose. "Is that a problem?"

"Personal space is important to some people."

"And to you?"

Inuyasha swallowed thickly. If he didn't know any better, he would think that Kagome was attempting to seduce him, but she had said nothing of the sort, nor was their conversation of the sensual variety. He felt so stupid. Here he stood with a woman who consumed his mind and thoughts, yet he couldn't understand how best to decipher her suggestive looks.

He traced his tongue over the tip of one fang, flicking it back and forth. It caught her attention and rather than stop, he continued doing so until she frowned.

"You haven't answered me, Inuyasha."

He had forgotten to. It was as simple as that. "I need space sometimes, too."

"When? Now?"

He chose not to reply, his desires now at the fore. Her pupils dilated and that rosy color spread from her cheeks to her collar-bone, an area he only recently wanted to lick; a path toward heaven. As she closed more of the distance between them, she dabbed at her lips with the tip of her tongue. Inuyasha breathed raggedly, yearning filling him with a physical ache. How he wanted to take those lips into his mouth and taste the sweet nectar of her very breath.

He almost laughed at the thought, because he had never felt so poetic in his life.

Suddenly, he found an ounce of bravery within himself, and advanced toward her.

"When I'm with you," she whispered huskily, "I need no space from you."

Finally, she reached around his neck, pulling him down toward her lips. Seconds flew by, while her brown eyes remained on his, a question in their unfathomable depths. Somehow, he knew what she asked for; his permission to lend her a kiss. He swooped down on her and their lips met with a crash. The heat of them engulfing him to his core.

She was his first. She was his only. Had he any history of another he could not remember, it fell away from his mind, a pebble gone astray. She was all that mattered, as their tongues lapped and danced. She was an expert with every clash, their breaths syncing into one.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding onto her form for dear life. She was so small in his arms, yet the tenderness of her body could not hide the strength held from within. She was strong. And she was strong because she had to be, for his sake. Because, in that moment, he was lost in her. Lost in the very fabric of a desire only she could weave. Suddenly, his hands were on the curve of her rear, and he lifted her up to meet his center. She knew what to do instinctively, and wrapped her legs around his waist, while her hands combed into his hair.

She moaned into his lips, then moved away from him with a gasp, only to reach for his shirt. She sought to release him from its grasp.

Anxiety immediately struck.

She was moving too fast.

And Inuyasha was not yet ready.

He froze, wide-eyed, still holding onto Kagome. She was so beautiful. Her hair was mussed and clung to her skin. He could feel her heart beat pulsing wildly, and the heat of her enthralled him. But he wasn't ready to go all the way; not just yet.

He swallowed thickly in an attempt to speak, but his voice was gone, having left him when it met her mouth. Still, he remained stiff, waiting, and hating every part of himself, for her to stop.

She seemed lost in the way she pulled at his shirt, but when she looked into his eyes, the glow that encompassed her, dulled. She stopped herself short, her voice now raspy, "Inuyasha?"

He unwrapped her legs around his waist, and she fell softly, looking at him with both concern and sadness in her eyes. He turned away from her, feeling shame. Why did he hesitate when she so willfully gave herself up to him?

Because you're not the same man she married.

The thought filled him with jealousy. Jealousy and anger for the half demon she loved. Of course she loved that person, but he wasn't the same. When she kissed him, did she kiss the man she married, or the man he was now? And did it even matter?

Yes.

Because, in this heat of passion, Inuyasha wanted Kagome to kiss him for who he was now. It was so moronic, if one thought about it too much, but it meant the world to him. She loved another version of him; one who was long gone. And he wanted her to feel that way for him.

God, this was so stupid. How could he be jealous of himself?

Because that person held all of her affection. What feelings did she have for him as he was today?

It shouldn't have mattered though. She was so eager to be close to him, and perhaps this would bring them closer to each other.

Even so, he wanted her to want him; to love him. Why? Why did he feel that he needed her affection in such a way? Her friendship was enough.

Lies. He craved her kisses more than water, and no friend ever gave themselves to another in such a way.

He looked at her, into her beautiful brown gaze. A shiver passed through him, remembering the curve of her, reveling in such a thought.

I know what she feels like, he thought. I know her touch.

Realization set into his mind, like the sun rising with the dawn. He wanted more of her, so much more. But first, he needed something deeper from her. With her. Something his parents taught him long ago. He didn't think he felt it yet, but he was sure the sentiment was close. Maybe they could have a story that spanned the ages, but it would take time.

First, he had to love her.

Kagome stymied the feeling of dejection when Inuyasha froze in her arms. He let her go and looked as though he were lost within his own thoughts, far from where their act of passion stood. She bit her lip, insecurities rushing through her. Had she read him wrong? Had he not wanted to kiss her?

No, he had wanted to. He was the one who came down on her.

But what happened? Why did he stop?

"Inuyasha?" she said again, her voice anxious and unsure.

He blinked, and scratched an ear before saying, "I'm sorry about that. Came on too fast."

"You weren't fast," she rushed out to reassure him.

The side of his lips curved. "For me. It was too fast for me."

Kagome blinked. "Oh." She didn't know how to take that. "I'm kind of confused."

Inuyasha laughed humorlessly. "Welcome to my life."

She bit her lip. "Do you regret kissing me?"

"No!" he shouted instantly.

Tension, she had no idea was on her shoulders, released itself from its hold. "Then what's wrong?"

"I just think..." He breathed. "I think we need to take things slow. I want to get to know you more. And-And," he stuttered, "I want you to get to know me, too."

"But I already-"

"No," he said, his tone vehement. "You know another version of me. But there's a lot I don't remember. I'm from a time where every lesson learned with you has never been. I'm not the same guy you fell for. I'm different, Kagome."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I'm not the guy you fell in love with."

"You are," she said. "I know everything about you."

"But what do I know about you?"

"I can show you everything. Ask me anything you want. I want this, Inuyasha. I want us."

"Even if I never regain my memories of you?"

He closed his eyes, waiting for her reply with baited breath. When none came, he opened them once more and watched her eyes as they glistened with unshed tears. He went to her immediately, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Don't cry," he found himself begging. "Please, don't cry."

She stared at him, wide eyed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad."

She bit her lip. "It isn't that, Inuyasha."

His heart was thumping wildly against his chest. He wanted her to want him as he was, she knew. A war from within tore her in two, for she missed her husband so very much. They had grown together, their very lives strung by the web of their memories. But if he could never remember them, could she continue on with him now?

That wasn't even a question, for life without Inuyasha was no life at all.

She held onto his hands, and he thought she would pull them away from him. He hesitated for a moment, before he let her pull them toward her face, allowing him to hold her chin with reverence.

His thumb touched her warm cheeks and he marveled at the feel of them. He could sense each movement whenever she breathed, and even now when she smiled up at him with something he could not fully comprehend as of yet.

"I will want you always, Inuyasha. I need you to know that."

The very breath whooshed out from him and relief swept through him. "Really?" he breathed.

"Always."

They spent the next few hours talking about everything they could, reveling in the knowledge that sprang forth from this conversation. Each took note of the little details they shared, feeding themselves till night's spell called. Soon enough, Kagome fell asleep, snuggled close to Inuyasha, her very warmth seeping into his heart.

And when the sun began to rise from along its horizon, he looked into the golden sky, hoping and praying that clouds would roll in, with rain to keep them indoors for another day.