Aaand we're back with Chapter 5! Thanks so much for the love on the last chapter, everyone. I want to stress how much I appreciate all your reviews: especially the fact that it sucks that I can't reply to them all, because there have been some anonymous/guest ones that I WISH I could respond to, even some who have commented on every single update! So just know that I've read every one, and am honored you chose to leave them, and that you hold this story in such high esteem ^.^

A couple of things: in case anyone's been wondering why Kagome hasn't recognized that Inuyasha was the man in the cave, it's because she only met him once, 7 months ago, at night in a cave with minimal lighting. As she mentioned in the last chapter, she just doesn't remember his face as well as she would have if she met him recently, and since his coloring is completely different as a hanyo (not to mention the ears, fangs and claws), it's easy to not put the pieces together. And most importantly, remember that human Inuyasha has the ultimate disguise of all: his human aura. As a powerful half-demon, his youki is off the charts. Based on that alone, Kagome has no reason to suspect that these two could be the same person, because as far she knows, Tsuya was a man and nothing more. Inuyasha is also more multidimensional and has rougher edges than Tsuya did in the cave, at least when he first appeared in the village. I'd like to think he's somewhat intentional about this, to keep them from discovering his secret. It's also natural that Kagome's memory would have mostly preserved the softer side of him over the months.

Just thought I'd mention this, because it's relevant to things that happen in this chapter, especially in the first scene. Enjoy the new chapter!

Kaede made her way to the shed where they stored all the supplies for the shrine. Night had fallen, and she'd already made sure that any damages to the shrine were fixed. There had barely been any, since Kagome had done her job as well as always. Kaede just needed to make sure everything was still well-stocked. Who knew what could happen next? Her job was to expect it all. She was somewhat shaken, however, by how there'd been so much tonight that she had not been able to expect.

She opened the shed, a few baskets in one arm. She was holding a lantern; it was much too dark without a moon for her to see without it. As she stepped inside, she rummaged around the various supplies, making sure everything was in order. She set down the baskets and began unloading them. It had been a very close call today, she mused. She was grateful that Kagome's family had not had to lose the boy.

As she sorted through the baskets, she gradually grew aware of something peculiar. Far-fetched though it was, she got the sense that she could hear something... breathing. Something in the shed, with her.

Kaede's heart sank; she did not have her weapons. She could not sense any youki, so she hadn't thought to bring them. But what if those bandits who'd kidnapped the boy had returned...? They'd combed the village just to make sure, but what if one had remained hidden here from the beginning?

Carefully, she picked up her lantern again. Turning around, she shone it in a corner of the room behind some sacks of grain. To her horror, it revealed a man standing upright, absolutely real and in the flesh.

Kaede let the lantern drop out of her hands, flabbergasted. She'd been right, one of the men had remained! She would have to lock him in and get help before he could overtake her.

"Ye shan't escape this time, villain!" she declared as she staggered towards the door.

"Wait!" came a desperate voice. "Old lady, stop, it's me!"

She paused, stumped at being addressed so informally. But more so over the fact that it didn't sound like a stranger's voice. Her hand still on the door, she stooped to retrieve the lantern and, trembling, shone it at the man once more.

A cry was trapped in her throat.

He was tall, with superfluously long black hair. His face very similar to another she'd grown accustomed to, though this could be brushed aside as a reasonably strong resemblance. But that red garb was unmistakable.

"Good lord," she whispered, her hands and voice shaking. "How... how can this be?"

It was Inuyasha.

But was it Inuyasha? There was no way. His ears were missing... no, she looked again and saw that they were now as human as human could be. His eyes were different as well. And most of all, there was nothing remarkable about his aura. No wonder she'd missed him at first. Then who was it, really?

"You can rest easy, Kaede," the man said as though reading her mind. "It is me. Your eyes ain't playin' tricks on you."

Kaede's breath caught; there was no denying it now. She was about to ask what had happened to him, how he looked so, but then the word came to her as though it were the easiest explanation to guess.

"Hanyo," she gasped. "You're a half-demon!"

He stared at her steadily, without denying it. But there was worry in his face. Worry? Did Inuyasha even get scared?

"But... hanyo are immensely secretive of their human forms," she said, bewildered, thinking aloud more so than conversing with him. "Why on earth would ye chance being seen...?"

"I thought I could make it back before nightfall," he said, his voice ragged. "But I lost track of time. I was never supposed to come here today, but I had to after hearing those drums. And... when I realized it was too late, I'd no choice but to hide out here."

Kaede blinked rapidly, still in amazement at what she was seeing. Without wasting any time, she instinctively shut the door to the shed and bolted it behind her. She sensed that this was the right thing to do. They would be here a while.

"And what do ye hope to gain now?" she said finally. "Even in this form, ye could have fled or broken down the door rather than stop me, now that I've found ye out. Why try to preserve your secret?"

Inuyasha swallowed, and lowered his eyes. Was it from shame, or remorse?

"Isn't it obvious?"

Kaede was suddenly furious. "If ye think I'd let you stay just so ye can steal the Jewel tonight, ye have fewer brains than I thought," she said fiercely. "For it all makes sense now. Of course a half-demon would covet the Shikon no Tama! How else would ye complete your power?"

"Pipe down, that's not what I'm talking about!" Inuyasha said angrily.

"Then why-"

"Because of Kagome!" he burst out.

Kaede's voice caught again, silence filled their midst, Inuyasha's chest heaving with emotion.

"Because of... Kagome?" she said, mystified.

"Yeah." He looked away, and now the guilt on his face was plain to see. He took a deep, resigned breath. "Seven months ago or so, on a moonless night, you sent Kagome to purify a forest. When her task was over, she came across an injured man in a cave. She healed him, and they spent the night together." He paused, taking in Kaede's stricken face. "That man was me."

Kaede's shaking hand found her way to her mouth.

"My... my word," she breathed. "For all those months, I wondered... but this, such a thing is an aberration, sacrilegious, anything else may have been defensible, but this-!"

"Whoa, whoa," Inuyasha said, his heart hammering. "What're you talking about? What do you mean, "anything else"..."

"Ye must take me for a true fool of fools," Kaede snapped. "I'd known ever since Kagome had returned that something was different about her. She was never completely the same after that night. I thought at first that it was merely the pressures of taking on such a significant burden. But then I would hear her sobbing in the night. How she often looked off into the distance deep in thought, as though expecting someone to appear."

Swallowing, Inuyasha shut his eyes. He hated to hear this, to imagine the pain he'd caused her.

"Even that blasted beni she always wore, it was clear as day that she had met somebody that night!" Kaede went on. "But I looked the other way. For a priestess of her age, who would likely never taste a full life with every experience a woman craves, one indiscretion could be pardoned as a lapse of judgement, or her only chance to feel free before committing herself to her duties entirely. But to know that the man she met was a demon! And that he's come back now! Why did ye come! Is the Jewel that important that ye would risk breaking her heart again?"

"No!" he shot back. "I told you, it's not like that. I... I don't know what I was thinking, all right? I just know that I had to see her again. I promised her I'd find her. And now that I'm here, I just... I just wanna be by her side. She'd helped me that night. She helped me without expecting anything in return. I want to help her too."

But there was more to it than that, Inuyasha knew. He was drawn to her. He'd never met any human like her, let alone a priestess. For one to be so receptive to him, so open to broadening her mind and entertaining the things that he told her, and so selfless that she would choose to stay in the cave to heal him, a stranger, rather than leave before the first sign of rain... He had to see if she would be the same person months later, if the woman he'd experienced in the cave as a human would be the same woman when she was dealing with him as a demon. He needed to know if she was an illusion, or too good to be true.

And now that he had come to know her more, he'd confirmed that she was no illusion. She was every bit the same woman. But, that didn't mean that everything else he'd found out was just as favorable to him, he thought bitterly.

"So how do ye intend to proceed now?" Kaede demanded. "Are ye going to reveal all in the hopes that Kagome will turn her back on her duties as a miko just to live by your side?"

Inuyasha scoffed. "Just save your breath, all right?" he muttered. "You don't have anything to worry about. It's pointless. She's in love with the man she met in the cave. The one she believes was human. All human. She doesn't have eyes for me."

Kaede was satisfied by this, but the way Inuyasha looked just then was so pitiful, it tugged at her sympathies some. "Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise," she said. "But I would not be so quick to think ye mean nothing to her. I've had my eyes on the two of ye for a while. She's never bonded with anyone so well. It's abundantly clear that she enjoys your company, and now that you've saved her brother, she must be fonder of ye than ever."

"Yeah? You think so?" he asked, looking at her eagerly.

Before answering, Kaede paused. This was very odd. It was like the man before her was Inuyasha, but also other than that. Inuyasha, but with more to him than he usually revealed.

"Yes, but that is neither here nor there," she said firmly. "Whatever your reasons were for returning, they change nothing now. Do ye intend to tell her the truth?"

Inuyasha scratched his head with a hand vigorously, as though trying to get rid of an irritant. "I've thought about telling her. I hoped she would remember on her own. But at the same time, maybe it's for the best that she doesn't. She wants him back. The guy she met. She as good as told me that today. I don't wanna tarnish the image she has of him. How would she feel if she found out he was a demon? I couldn't do that to her."

Kaede had listened to him silently. "And, ye gave no thought to how dangerous it would be to reveal your identity as a hanyo, as well?" she asked quietly.

"'Course, I'm always thinkin' of that," Inuyasha said curtly. "It's why I never said anything when you or anyone else was around. It's why I keep going back and forth on telling her. But if she was to find out on her own, I wouldn't have minded. She has a right to know. Besides, I know she wouldn't hurt me for that. Even if it does make her write me off forever."

Kaede went on looking at him levelly. "Remarkable," she said again in a soft voice. Inuyasha shrugged, his arms folded. "Well, Kagome does have a right to know the truth," she said. "But it's your truth as well, isn't it. I shan't inform her of this, then."

Inuyasha looked incredulous. "Wow," he said. "Thought you'd bust me for sure."

"Only so that it doesn't hurt her," she said raising a hand before he celebrated too quickly. "For ye weren't wrong about what it could do to her. She doesn't deserve to suffer. And if she suffers, the village and the Jewel will suffer too."

Inuyasha scoffed again. "You're always thinkin' of that stuff," he said, but he didn't contest her further.

"I want the best for Kagome, and for the village and causes that I have devoted myself to," she said gravely. "I did not get a chance to speak to ye earlier, Inuyasha. But after what ye did today, choosing to save a child of our village rather than take advantage of the Shikon Miko's absence and steal the Jewel, I believe that ye mean us no harm. Rather, it is clear that ye mean Kagome no harm. This is the reason why I indulge ye for now. But remember this, Inuyasha. Ye must never approach Kagome with intentions for intimacy again."

Inuyasha shifted in his spot.

"If that's what's best for her, I can live with that," he said at last. "But there's something I have to do, first. I need to see her again. Like this."

Kaede's nostrils flared. "Have ye taken leave of your senses, boy?" she barked. "After all's said and done, ye seek to ensnare her in your charms once more-?"

"That's not what I said, listen for once!" he snapped. "I realized something today. I caused her a lot of pain, Kaede. She's been wondering all this time why that man never came back for her. I just want to give her closure. So she can move on and heal. I don't want her to wonder anymore. I don't want her to think that she was the only one who cared about what we shared that night. That's all. I'll leave her alone after that; she'll never be bothered by this form again."

Kaede swallowed, still trying to compose her anger. "Ye must be mad," she whispered. "On your own head be it. If ye can make it there and back without being seen, go on and try. I shan't help ye, nor protect your secret from anyone who recognizes you."

She turned and made to leave.

"Wait, Kaede," he called again. She turned back, frowning. He looked sheepish, in earnest.

"This robe," he said softly. "She'll recognize me. I need your help."

Even as she felt triumph over this realization, Kaede was still mightily affronted. "Ha! How much of a halfwit are ye to expect me to remedy that! You've just given me reason for relief," she said jubilantly. She paused, seeing how Inuyasha's expression was yet unchanged. His eyes were solemn and imploring.

"Please."

~.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*~
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The cicadas were chirping.

Kagome could hear them from inside the shrine. The sound comforted her. It had been a long, exhausting and difficult day.

She was inside her room at the shrine, sitting up on her futon and looking out the window. The night was moonless. But the stars were exceptionally bright tonight. She thought of Tsuya. She was surprised that she'd talked about him today, and so much. She had never done that before, not once. Ever since the night they met, she'd assumed that he would have to be kept a secret from everyone.

But since it was Inuyasha she'd confided to, Kagome didn't mind. She couldn't explain why. But that fact was that now, she had come to trust Inuyasha. She trusted that he wouldn't judge her, that her secret was safe with him. She had meant what she had said to him earlier. Inuyasha had grown to be a true friend to her. She was grateful he was here, and not just because he made things easier.

Really, I think it's a good thing that I was able to let it out, she mused. This way, maybe she could finally begin to let go. What she and Tsuya had shared that night was beautiful and meaningful. But, perhaps, the fact that it was only for one night, and that it had to come to an end, that it would never happen again, was a big part of why it was it beautiful. Kagome knew that this made sense.

But still... her heart felt so heavy. For so long, she used to wonder if he would ever come back for her. Now, she had to accept reality. It was time to move on. It wouldn't be so bad. She still had her family. Sota was unharmed. Kaede and all the villagers were still there. And now... now, she had Inuyasha. And after what he had done for her family today, she knew their friendship was inviolable. Maybe now, with him by her side, she could learn to be happy again. After he'd left earlier, she went back inside to check on Sota. Her mother had remarked on how she seemed in much higher spirits. It was hard not to be, after everything had resolved itself as well as it did. And she even got to spend a few more hours with her family before needing to return to the shrine.

Oh, the beads, she thought, spotting them still on her desk. It felt like ages ago that she was stringing them. She supposed there was no need for those now. She could just return them to the room where the shrine supplies were kept, or even toss them out for all she cared.

Kagome sighed. Rising from her futon, she went over and extinguished the lamp by the doorway. The night was peaceful again at last. Tomorrow would be another day, and she was grateful for that. Something told her that for the first time in a while, she would have a good night's sleep.

A sudden rustling made her pause. It might have come from outside, but she couldn't be sure. Holding her breath, she could hear the creaking of floorboards.

In a flash, her hands had found the bow propped by the desk.

"Who's there?" she said roughly. It was dark. Her eyes had not yet adjusted to being able to see with just the faint light that the night sky provided. There was no youki in the air, she would have picked up on that much sooner than this. But there was no mistake about it: there was someone in her room. Likely a human, and that gave her no pause, especially not after what those bandits had done today.

She gritted her teeth and clenched her bow, beginning to imbue it with her reiki. Then-

"Priestess."

A hoarse whisper.

Kagome's breath caught in her throat.

"Who is it?" she asked uncertainly, in a different voice.

In response, the creaking grew closer. She could discern movement in front of her now, a large, looming figure, most assuredly a man.

"It's me, Priestess."

She staggered backwards, blinking, and suddenly, the mass was inches from her face, and although she still couldn't see as well as if her lamp had been burning, the brightness from the stars finally illuminated part of his face, and there was no mistaking those silvery, violet eyes.

The bow clattered to the floor, the reiki ebbing away.

"Tsuya?" Kagome cried.

Though most of him was still in shadow, the unusually long black hair, the tall frame, the eyes, it was all there. Kagome couldn't dare believe it.

"How... is it really... what are you doing here?" she burst out.

She rushed to reignite her lamp, but she felt a hand on her arm.

"Don't," came the same whisper again. "If you light it again this late, people'll be worried. They might come in here to check on you."

Kagome swallowed, unsure of what she was even meant to say next, because this was just too surreal, too absurd, but she needn't have said anything at all, because Tsuya was already speaking.

"Kagome, listen," he said, talking rapidly, "I never stopped looking for you. Never. I never stopped thinking about you. I was always going to find you, okay? I need you to know that."

Her heart hammering in her chest, Kagome struggled to wrap her mind around what he was saying. She was still in shock. "But then... but then, why did you leave me that morning!" she said. "I didn't even get to say goodbye. Why couldn't you-"

"I'm sorry," he said, and she could hear true pain in his voice. His hands descended on her shoulders in urgency, and Kagome could have cried, because it made her remember what it had felt like the first time he'd done it. It finally started to sink in that Tsuya was here.

Tsuya is here!

"I didn't wanna leave," he was saying. "It was the last thing I wanted to do, but I couldn't stay. I wish I could tell you why. I just couldn't. I'm sorry it took so long. But I'm here now. So you know you've always mattered to me. That night meant just as much to me as it did to you, Kagome."

Tears filled Kagome's eyes. Tremulously, she reached up to put her hands on his, and nodded. He must have been able to sense her nod, because she could feel him sigh in relief.

"I talked about you today," she breathed. "For the first time ever. I told my friend about you. He said you'd have to be crazy to forget about me. I didn't know if I should believe that, but now... now it doesn't seem so wrong."

"It isn't," he muttered. "And now you know for sure. That's all I wanted to say. Now I gotta go back-"

"Wait, what are you saying?" Kagome blurted out, her heart speeding up. "Don't tell me you're leaving? How! How can you go when you just got here-"

"I have to Kagome, I just do," he said, sounding desperate. "It's dangerous for me to stay here too long."

"But why?" He made no answer. It must be because he's worried the demons will come for the Jewel, Kagome realized. He's afraid they'll hurt him again, just like last time! Could that also be why it had taken him so long to decide to appear before her? Maybe he'd even seen the fight from earlier. "I won't let anything happen to you, Tsuya," she said resolutely. "I can sense youki, and there isn't any anywhere near here. You'll be all right. Please don't go!"

"Kagome, I-"

"Please," she said again, clinging to his clothes. She could tell that he was wearing something like a tunic and hakama, probably black in color. Different from what he wore the first time, which she couldn't fully remember, but these clothes felt clean and crisp. "Please stay. Even if it's just for tonight. I went months wondering where you were, why you never came back for me. It hurt so much. There were nights when all I did was cry. Now you're finally here. I can't lose you again, not so soon!"

She heard him exhale in frustration, and for the first time, she felt a pang of hurt and shame over how she was acting. Guiltily, she slowly withdrew her hands from his shirt.

"Don't you... don't you want to stay with me?" she asked pathetically. She tried to remind herself that she had no right to place all this pressure onto him. For all she knew, he hadn't come back with any intention to pursue or resume anything with her. If he really needed, wanted to leave, who was Kagome to stop him?

Without warning, Kagome felt his arms engulf her.

She gasped as he pulled her tight to his body, clasping her. There it was, the scent of cinnamon again, just as she remembered! Except this time, something felt a bit peculiar. Had she smelled this more recently than she'd thought?

"Of course," he breathed into her neck, sounding agonized. "Of course I wanna stay! Can't you see how hard this is?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks and she clutched him tighter. "Then stay," she whispered, eagerly. "Please, Tsuya. I don't want you to go yet."

She lifted her face to plead again, and before she could say a word, in the dark, she was met with him crashing his lips onto hers.

With a cry of delight, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fully. How she had longed for his kiss! The memories flooded back to her as he continued to kiss her with fervor. Somehow, their lips never breaking apart, her hands had found his and she guided him backwards, further away from the door and towards her futon where they tumbled onto it, she on her back, him laying over her, propped up on his elbows, his hands in her hair.

"Priestess," Tsuya murmured, his voice lustful, making her heart skip a beat. He paused a moment, and his hands descended to her waist. His silvery eyes roved over her body, luminous and glowing in the dark, and she shuddered, once again feeling as though he was her personal moon on this moonless night. She knew what he wanted, that it was what she wanted as well. She knew he was seeking her permission, that he was uncertain whether it was a good idea for them to do this.

She reached out her hand, placing it on his face. She didn't have the answer to his question. She didn't know if they should do it, either.

All she knew was that she wanted it. And that they had been deprived of it for too long.

Wrapping both arms around his neck again, she pulled him into another kiss. That seemed to seal it for him.

His hot, passionate mouth ravaged hers, and his hands began to search for the opening to her clothes. As he undressed her, Kagome felt fortunate to be doing this in her room. The first time, as wonderful as it was, had been in a cold, wet cave, the ground hard and rocky. Now, they were on her plush, cool futon, the covers providing them even more comfort, the stars twinkling outside, the air punctuated with the gentle chirping of cicadas.

The air met Kagome's bare skin, chilling her, and she welcomed it, goosebumps popping along her arms. Tsuya lowered his head, nuzzling her neck, placing a kiss or two on the hollow as he laced her fingers with his, pinning her hands down onto the bedding by her head as he kissed up to her face. He paused for a moment, pulling back slightly to look at her again.

"Is it too dark?" she asked shyly. "I can barely see your face."

"Never too dark for me to see how beautiful you are."

A flush crept over Kagome's cheeks. She was nervous being naked around him, just like the last time, but just like the last time, it didn't stop her from wanting to be.

"Don't I get to see you, too?" she whispered dreamily. Again, she surprised herself with how easily wanton she could be. But she didn't care; her heart was singing with happiness and triumph just from the fact that she was with Tsuya again.

He released her hands and began undoing his tunic, revealing his chest as he shrugged it off. "You'll get to do a lot more than just that." His voice was raspy, and it gave her thrills.

Their clothes lay discarded on the floor by the time he lowered himself onto her again, and Kagome could have cried when his bare skin met hers. She'd waited so long for this, she had forgotten how amazing it felt. She wove her hands into his long, thick hair as he began to suckle, nip and tease her breasts, biting her lips to keep from crying out.

"Don't hold back," he murmured between his ministrations. "I like when you like it."

"I love it," she breathed, her grip in his hair tightening. "I need it."

Kagome could feel him chuckling. She saw him lift his head slightly, and put a finger or two in his mouth, as though briefly sucking it. She watched as his hand slid down her side and parted her thighs. Her eyes widened and she gasped as she felt his fingers enter her.

"Sorry," he said huskily. "I shoulda asked first."

Kagome shook her head, fighting back spasms of delight. "Don't... don't stop," she whispered.

He chuckled again. "Yes, ma'am." He sounded impressed. Smooth and slick, his fingers began moving within her circularly, prodding gently, searching, they curved up inward, and this time Kagome couldn't stop the cry from escaping her lips. Knotting her fingers in his hair, she buried her face in his shoulder.

"Tsuya," she whimpered, grateful, pleading, lustful all at once.

She felt him kiss the side of her head toward her cheek. His fingers sped up. Her legs squeezed together of their own accord, sealing his hand between them, and this only heightened her pleasure. In the next few seconds, she reached her climax, and she knew she had to scream. At that moment, his mouth descended on hers, muffling her voice through his kiss. Grateful, she melted into it, trembling as relief broke over her, arms wrapped loosely around his neck. As they broke apart, he removed his hand, bringing it to his mouth and sucking his fingers dry with relish. Seeing him do that gave her chills. How on earth was he so attractive?

I sure am lucky, she thought blissfully.

"You liked that?" he murmured.

"Yes, very much," Kagome breathed. She wanted to say more, but she needed to catch her breath.

Gently, he lay her down, placing her head back onto her pillow. Sitting on his heels, he carefully brushed her hair, damp with sweat, away from her face. He seemed to be looking intently at her.

"Tsuya?"

"I'm sorry."

She blinked. "You've already apologized," she said, confused.

"I know." To her surprise, he looked away. "It isn't enough. Not for all I've done."

Sympathy rushed to her heart. "Oh, Tsuya," she breathed. "I understand. I know you had your reasons."

Silent, he still wouldn't meet her eyes. He looked so... guilty.

Concerned, Kagome sat up and placed a hand on his cheek, gently turning his face towards her. "Please look at me."

He raised his eyes to hers, those startling, grey half-moon irises. He was so handsome, even with darkness swathing his face some, Kagome realized again, and her heart fluttered. Tsukiyomi, she thought again fervently. There is something otherworldly about this man.

"You're here now," she said softly. "You came for me. That's what matters the most."

He covered her hand with his, turned his head and kissed her palm sensuously. Kagome shuddered. She'd forgotten for a moment that she was naked.

Her shiver hadn't escaped Tsuya's notice.

"C'mere," he said, his voice a low purr. "Can't let ya get cold."

He took her in his arms, gathering her body to his chest, and Kagome sighed, loving the feel of him. Though his body was firm and lean, obviously chiseled with muscle, his skin was so smooth and warm to the touch. He planted kisses on her neck, and Kagome suddenly realized that she was no longer tired. She slipped her arms around his neck, tighter this time. She could still hardly believe this was happening, and it made her giddy with happiness.

"Tsuya," she said longingly. "Love me more. Please?"

He moaned into her neck as he kissed it again. "All night," he whispered.

He pulled her onto his lap so that she was straddling him, arms entwined about her waist, hands cupping her hips. Kagome's hands were on either side of his face, fingers lost in his hair. Her head was just a few inches above his. She gazed down at him, and she knew she was blushing hard. Though they'd done this before, she had no idea if she would do it right this time. She'd never done it this way, after all. What if she disappointed him?

"You're perfect for me, Priestess," Tsuya murmured, as though reading her mind. "Trust me."

Heart fluttering in her chest, Kagome nodded. "I do," she said shyly.

Even as he nuzzled her breasts, she could tell he was grinning. He hoisted her up, shifted slightly, and then lowered her back down. Kagome gasped as she could feel him start to enter her. She blinked, surprised and in awe all at once. Though he was still being gentle and taking his time, she was elated that he didn't have to be as careful as he'd been the first time. There was no discomfort, let alone any pain. As she felt him filling her whole, she fell into raptures at how satisfying the sensation was.

"Oh, Tsuya," she moaned, wrapping her legs around him tight. He gave a low growl, as though this was what he'd wanted. "I... I..."

"Just leave your body to me," he rasped. "I'll take care of you, Goddess."

He began to thrust up within her, and she squirmed and moaned just as before from how masterful he was at pleasing her. His hands were still at her hips, stroking or giving a gentle squeeze from time to time, but, curiously, they offered no restriction or control of her movements. He wasn't holding her down nor guiding her body, even though he likely knew just what to do in order to maximize this experience for the both of them.

Intrigued, Kagome fastened her legs tighter and ground her hips against his, so that she could meet each thrust with one of her own. As soon as she did this, Tsuya growled even louder, and she felt his body spasm below hers.

"Holy f-"

He was cut off as she did it again, and buried his face in her hair, his thrusts growing quicker and more rhythmic so that she could barely keep up herself.

Kagome was thrilled. "Does that... does that feel good?" she panted, trying to keep from screaming.

"You've no idea," he growled.

Heart pounding, she lowered her head so that she could kiss him. He obliged, and then in the next second, he had them both fall back onto the futon again, never breaking apart, and he continued to let his pleasurable thrusts wrack her body. Kagome gasped, sprawled beneath him onto her back, now only able to receive him as he sent her into throes of joy.

"Be mine," he rasped. "Be mine, Priestess."

"I am," she breathed. "I've always been. All yours." She wanted to tell him that she still had his beni, that she'd even worn it, wore it every time she knew that she'd have a major fight, but the words faltered before she could get them out, because he was moving faster and harder, and it sent her into a trance; she knew it was almost time for them to release.

"Tsuya!" she cried, clutching at her lover's back along with fistfuls of his dark hair, eyes squeezed shut in ecstasy.

"Kagome," he moaned into her ear, making her heart sing and her spine tingle. "Ka-Kagome."

Hmm?

Something felt odd in that moment. She loved hearing him say her name, just as she did the first time they'd made love. But when she heard it in his voice just then, eyes closed so that she could only hear and feel, why did it sound familiar in more ways than just one?

But she had no time to mull over that. For in the next second, she was submerged by the overwhelming climax that swept both of them away, an all-encompassing jolt running through her body. Gasping for breath, sweat coating their bodies, they collapsed against each other, Kagome still twitching from bliss.

A few minutes passed that way. Then, Tsuya gently pulled out and lay on his back, still panting slightly. Kagome rolled onto her side so that she could rest her head on his shoulder.

"Oh, Tsuya," she whispered, emotion welling up inside her. "Thank you."

He reached out with his other hand and caressed her cheek with a thumb. "You don't have to thank me. For anything," he said.

"But it was so wonderful."

Kagome opened her eyes dreamily, and there he was, head turned to the side just like her, so that he could look at her. She smiled, her heartbeat speeding up again. There was so much she wanted to say to him. But, with dismay, she realized that she had to struggle to keep her eyes open. Just like the first time, it had been a long day and her energy was rapidly ebbing away.

"Tsuya," she said feebly. "Don't leave."

"I won't," he said, his voice soft. "Not just yet."

"I don't want you to leave," she murmured, her eyes sliding shut of their own accord. She fought to keep talking. He needed to know just how much she'd regretted not being able to tell him all this the first time, since she'd naively assumed he'd still be there in the morning. "I wasn't done with you," she said. "That night. I'm still not, Tsuya."

"Me neither."

"Good," she sighed. "Then you'll stay with me."

She felt him stroke her cheek again. "Till you fall asleep," he said.

"Then I don't wanna sleep," she responded in a singsong voice. "I want to stay awake all night so that I have more time with you."

She could hear his soft laughter, like silent snickers. She felt herself being gathered to his chest again, his strong arms wrapping around her unresisting body. With tremendous effort, she opened her eyes. There were those eyes again, silvery and moonlike, hypnotic enough to lull her to sleep. Reminding her that he was the Moon God personified.

"It's happening again," she said miserably.

"It's okay," he said gently. "Sleep, Priestess. You need it."

"No," she protested, even as her eyes began to close again. She put both her hands on his face. "I can't." She had to get this out, before sleep overtook her completely. He kissed her brow and cheek, and finally her lips."Tsuya," she whispered against his lips, her voice faltering. "I don't even know your real name. Please tell it to me."

But as luck would have it, just right then, the waves of slumber claimed her once more. Dimly, as she drifted into sleep, Kagome caught Tsuya's voice, but it wasn't until later that she would be able to remember what he said.

"You do, Kagome."

Hope you enjoyed the read, my dears ;)