Chapter 7

They walked down the darkened streets, hand in hand. InuYasha had offered to carry her, as he noticed that her legs were a bit wobbly still, but she had refused. So, he settled for holding hand and letting her lean her weight on him, steadying her. They didn't say much; they didn't need to. The feel of her hand wrapped so tightly inside his was enough.

The house was quiet and dark, they crossed the threshold together and she led him up the stairs. When the door to her bedroom closed behind them her lips found his in the twilight, moonlight filtering in through the shades of her window, dappling her skin. The kiss was soft, tentative after all the passion that they had shared.

The beast in him was sated, for now. Sleeping again and quiet, and for once, his head was clear. He kissed her back gently, holding her lightly against his chest. He could feel her melt, could hear the breath catch in her throat as she leaned into his mouth, hands grasping at the red leather of the jacket he wore. When they broke apart her name was all he could think to say, he liked the way it rolled off his tongue with ease.

"Kagome," he nuzzled his face into the crown of her soft, midnight black hair, taking a deep inhale of her natural perfume before he lifted his head to speak. He steeled himself, looking down at her eyes, sparkling like faceted jewels in the darkness. "I'm sorry about before… if I- when I lost control…"

He could still see her, pinned beneath him and impaled by his length, deep red rivulets of blood trailing down her supple hips from where his claws had pierced her delicate skin. The image flashed in his mind, heating his cheeks all over again with the pure eroticism of it.

"I know I hurt you…" he said, swallowing the lump that formed in his throat.

But her eyes softened, a smile on her lips as she reached up, her fingers sliding down his cheek. "I'm okay, InuYasha. Please, don't be so hard on yourself." He looked so vulnerable to her in that moment, eyes filled with trepidation and somehow steely at the same time, as if he was already prepared for her to reject him, even after everything. But she knew that his heart was still buried beneath aching scar tissue that would never get a chance to heal, and he was part mortal, after all. Doubt and uncertainty had crept its way into his mind, she knew because it had done the same to her. It was natural for humans to overthink, to assume. But when his soft, stumbling words had passed his lips they'd shattered at once from just the softness of his voice alone. She couldn't help but to kiss him again, hoping to banish any fear, any apprehension away with the soothing pressure of her lips.

I'm yours already, dummy

She smiled into the kiss, pouring her emotion into him, wanting him to feel just what she did without words. He pulled away before it could get too steamy, his hands trailing down to her hips, lightly resting on the soreness there.

"I can… um, fix this, if you want…" He was blushing again, looking a bit embarrassed.

She raised a slim, arched brow, "how?"

He was on his knees in an instant, hands pushing the fabric of her dress up her thighs slowly, asking but not asking. She let out a shocked yelp, hands grasping at his shoulders. "Uh, what are you doing?" She stuttered, blushing furiously.

"well, I can heal the marks… but I have to lick them." He admitted, a boyish grin on his lips and a mischievous gleam in his golden eyes. She swore her heart rate doubled over with that look, her knees quivering. His rough hands were brushing over her skin so tenderly, so intimately she could feel the wetness pooling at her center. "My saliva has healing capabilities."

"Ummm…" Her brain was foggy, she couldn't think straight when he was looking at her like that, his gaze hungry, his face only inches away from her center, and she still wasn't wearing any panties… She had questions, but her brain wasn't working right and all she could focus on was him, so close that she could his hot breath ghosting over her core.

He didn't give her time to think about it any further, his rough hands eagerly pushing up one side of the flimsy fabric, and even as she scrambled to hold down the skirt of her dress to cover her most private area, she was grateful that he didn't just expose her completely. Without delaying further, He zeroed in on the small bloodied wounds on her hips where his claws had pierced her, regretting marking her fair skin this way. His fingers trailed over the marks gently, an apology in the deep golden pools that seemed so transparent to her at that moment.

Kagome watched him with wide eyes at first, curiously observing how he drank in her body with obvious appreciation in his gaze, and then grew still when he caught sight of the blood that marred her skin. She wanted to tell him that it was okay, that it didn't really hurt all that much, and at the time, she'd even enjoyed it a little… But he didn't wait for her to speak, and in a second his mouth was on her, his tongue brushing over the wounds languidly, igniting a fire to shoot across her skin. She bit her lip, holding back a low moan as she gripped his shoulders for support, knees weakening.

He was thorough, making sure to coat each of the marks on both of her hips, his saliva working quickly to close them. The remaining blood on her skin lingered on his tongue, tasting of passion and pure heat. He went over each of the wounds several times, only satisfied when they had all but vanished from the perfect porcelain of her skin, leaving only the faint pinkness of new skin in their place. She was panting, the thick scent of her arousal curling around them like smoke as she clung to his shoulders, shaking. He was hard again instantly, just by seeing how affected she was by his mouth alone. He wanted to take her again, to sink into her wetness, but he could sense her weariness, too. She was tired, her body worn from their earlier activity, and she needed to rest. So, with a low growl of disappointment, he brought himself back to his feet, taking her hands into his own.

"You're tired, so just rest, yeah?" His voice was strained, his body wanting so desperately to reach out and touch her, to kiss her and love her all over again and deep into the early morning hours. But she was human, delicate, easily damaged. Her needs were completely different from his own, he knew that much. He could go days without sleeping, and even longer without food or water. He wanted to make sure her needs were tended to appropriately, that she was comfortable. Her eyes held a smile as she nodded, letting out a breath as he stepped away from her.

"I think I'm gonna go take a bath now, okay?"

He nodded, swallowing thickly while she only gave him a small smile, her fingers slipping through his own as she turned away, the bathroom door shutting quietly behind her. When he finally heard the water running, he let out a deep breath that he hadn't known he'd been holding. Hurriedly, he began stripping the confining modern clothes from his body, breathing a sigh of relief when they finally lay in a pile at his feet. His robe still lay on the floor from where he'd dropped it earlier, and he hurried to re-dress himself in the familiar and comforting material. When the last of the ties were done and it was securely in place only then, did he feel back to his true self again. He laid back on her small bed, resting his back against the wall while he waited for her. He could hear her, her faint humming, and the water sloshing around her with every movement, he could even smell the sweet-smelling bath oils that hung heavy in the air, tingling his nose.

In the darkness of the small room, his eyes automatically were drawn to the slatted window shade, where he could see slivered bits of the sky shining through, the large moon illuminating the land that lay below. He felt strangely compelled by it, feeling something indescribable well up in his chest with a tightness that stole his breath away. A certain sense that something was just off. And for the first time in his life, he wondered…

If I can see the moon…

…can the moon see me too?

The moment was shattered when the door to the bathroom opened, snapping him out of his strange frame of mind, and he was left feeling oddly chilled. She, however, was flushed pink, her hair damp and streaming down her back in thick black waves, her body covered only by a modest nightgown, the hem falling just above her knees. She smelled divine, clean and fragrant like a fresh jasmine blossom. Her skin was glowing, a shy look on her face while she slowly crossed the room to sit on the bed beside him. He expected her to say something, but she just laid her head on his shoulder with a wide yawn, her eyes drifting shut. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his chest and she nuzzled against him with a small noise of contentment.

After only a few minutes of holding her like that he could hear her breathing deepen and even out, signaling to him that she was asleep. He chuckled lowly, not at all surprised that she was out so fast. Humans, he knew, were easily spent. He, however, felt wide awake and he stared at nothing while his thoughts ran rampant. He wondered about the small girl in his arms, wondered at just what their future together held. Surely, until Naraku was defeated there was no room for things like… that, but still, his heart yearned. It was a purely human emotion, one that still made him a bit uneasy but everything with her just felt so right, it came to him like second nature, as easy as breathing.

He was starting to want things that he couldn't have… but his mind was turning fuzzy, now, his thoughts jumbling until nothing was clear except the image of her, mahogany eyes shining and the obsidian river of her hair flowing down her back in an invisible breeze, her expression holding such clear emotion that shook him to his core. Those eyes compelled him, captivated him, drew him in.

Slowly, before he really realized what was happening his eyes began to droop, his body feeling heavy and weighed down with the sudden irresistible urge to sleep. He wanted to fight it, but the feeling it settled over him in a thick blanket of softness as he drifted off unwillingly into the abyss, his sleep plagued by vivid dreams of the girl he held so gently.

Unbeknownst to the half-demon and the small girl curled against his chest, an enchantment had been placed up them both. A spell of sleeping, a powerful one that settled down on the pair heavily, drawing them quickly under its influence. So much power it held, that it even went unnoticed by her, by the girl that held more spiritual power than either of them knew.

The moon, which shone almost unnaturally bright in the clear sky, seeming to hover directly over the home just to shine through that window, seemed to grow even larger, closer. And then, A figure began to materialize in the sky. His skin shone like sculpted marble, pure white and emanating an ethereal glow. His eyes, dark and glittering beneath hooded lids held all the galaxies and planets swirling in their bottomless depths. Hair that was unbound, dark and flowing around him, seeming to float in the night air, curled down past his waist around the fine kimono that was the purest of whites, fading down into a misty blue around his ankles that spoke of crashing waves and changing tides.

His features were too perfect. Every angle sharp and defined in a way that was beautiful and unearthly, but also undeniably male in the way of its severity. The sky parted for his entry, and he commanded the winds to carry him to hover over the little covered window, using his magic to spirit himself into the small room on the other side. His gaze was calculated, lips pursing as he looked around the messy room, distaste evident in his open expression.

No, this would not do.

His obsidian eyes landed on the sleeping pair, their embrace so innocent seeming to the Kami. Their breaths were deep, mouths hung open with soft snores, their eyes darting behind closed lids in the full throes of the dream he had so graciously bestowed upon them.

Those eyes, so ancient, held many secrets in their depths, but as he looked upon the small figure of the raven-haired girl his gaze couldn't help but to soften, even an iota. Kagome. Daughter.

The word wasn't foreign to him. Many times, he had watched her from the sky, looking in on her life, knowing that she was oblivious to why she felt such a strong pull to the moon, to the night sky. She had always seemed… happy. Her life was simple, all up until she had fallen through time itself. He watched her there sometimes, too. To see how her powers were developing, to see if she was ready. But her body was still weak in comparison to what it could be, her aura paling next to his own that rose in a tall wave, crashing around him, filling the entirety of the small space.

This was the first time he had ever been so close to her, his musume. In sleep, her expression was peaceful, the ghost of a smile on her full lips, deep in the throes of the sweet dream he'd given her. Really, it was more than that. A flash of one of the many futures he'd glimpsed, a happy one. Her hair was as deep and dark as the night itself, like that of his own in its rich color, but not rivaling his in length. She favored him in her looks, and he could only wonder what kind of woman she would become once she finally came into herself.

He had seen their future, or rather their past. Had borne witness the troubles that lay in wait for her and her chosen. It was ever-changing even now, twisting and splitting with every choice they made, unaware of the path they were walking. He had seen many things, many timelines intertwining and mingling to become one muddled mess after the other. They must tread carefully, though certain things he knew were unavoidable. However, there was one particular outcome that he could not allow to come to pass. The thought steeled him, reminding the deity of his purpose, why he only chose to intervene now before it was too late.

The Kami quickly crossed the length of the room with calm, calculated steps to stand in front of the sleeping Hanyou and his musume, his long, pale fingers reaching out to place a gentle mark on her forehead. She stirred slightly at the contact, lashes fluttering and for a moment he thought she might wake up, despite the absolute perfection and power of his magic. But after only a moment, she settled against the Hanyou again, quiet and dreaming still. Assured in his strength, he spoke the ancient words that ignited the enchantment, the mark of the moon glowing as it burned into her fair skin, the impression of his house seeming to smolder there for a moment before disappearing altogether in a wisp of smoke.

The spell was complete, the magic tight and unwavering as he tested it with his superior senses. It was a protection spell, but also a spell of unbinding, meant to loosen the chains the Shikon No Tama held over her powers.

She was bound eternally by the human form she was born into, though her powers were strong and would eventually grow to rival that of even his own, of that he was certain.

His task was complete, his purpose fulfilled but even so, he found himself hesitating to leave. Foolishly, he wanted to linger, to see her open her eyes and speak with her for the first time. But even as the thought crossed his mind, he tossed it aside for what it was, pure folly. It was not time. One day, perhaps sooner than even he himself could predict, the time would come. But it was not this day.

He knew that when she woke again there would be no trace of his presence left behind. No trail, no scent, nothing to alert even the sharpened senses of the Hanyou. For the time being, he could satisfy himself with the knowledge that he would be seeing her again in due time, whether it be from his throne in the sky or face to face, he would find out soon enough. With that, he turned to go, sparing her one last look before he vanished, the moon seeming to lose some of its shine and the intensity of its brightness dulled to that of a cloudy night.

She was running. Breathless, her feet flying across the soft green grass, warm sunlight beaming down to dapple the meadow she'd wandered into. Laughter bubbled up out of her chest as she ran through the field of wildflowers, the beauty not lost on her even as she playfully avoided her would-be captor. She looked down at the feel of swishing fabric around her legs, finding that she was clothed in a fine Kimono, pattered with beautiful swirling clouds of blue, a white obi at her waist. She could feel her hair swinging heavily behind her, past her hips as it was tied in an impossibly long braid, stray hairs slipping out to frame her face messily.

Her heart was pounding against her ribs and she stumbled slightly, giggling when strong arms caught her, saving her from the impending fall just like she knew they would.

"Wench," His voice was husky, rumbling and crashing like thunder, electrifying her blood. "I already told you, you can't run from me. I would hunt you to the ends of the earth." At the last part, he dragged his nose along the long line of her neck, pausing at the vein that pulsed there to scent the arousal that perfumed her skin. She shivered in his embrace, small hands clutching at his haori while he gently lowered them to the ground, his body cocooning her.

The liquid gold heat of his gaze was smoldering her, the lust reflected there turning her to mush as his hands roamed over her, caressing her face, her arms, her waist, his fingers tracing her lips in reverence. He kissed her then, finally giving her the contact she craved so desperately. She arched into his body, his mouth working against her hotly, his tongue brushing her own, igniting her passion anew. His hand gripped at her hips, crushing their bodies together in the most delicious way.

He broke away from her with a strangled groan, his breathing heavy and his gaze clouded with a tenderness that seemed bottomless and stole her breath away. "Kagome." She loved the way he said her name. Ka-go-me. She wanted to hear it fall from his lips again and again.

"I love you." Those words were so powerful and coming from him they hit her like a brick wall, and she could feel her eyes welling up with happy tears as her hand came up to cup his cheek fondly. She couldn't believe the words that she wanted so desperately to be true, after yearning to hear him say them for such a long time.

"InuYasha," Her voice was shaky as she was overcome with emotion, her heart threatening to burst in her chest. "I love you too."

She awoke with a start, at first unsure of where she was because she was certain that only moments ago, she'd been tangled up with a particular Hanyou in a field of flowers. Her heart beat rapidly, her hair mussed as she sat up, disappointed to find that she was alone in her small bed, back in the real world.

She shook her head, desperately trying to clear the haziness that lingered as she slowly came back to herself, the intensity of the vivid dream having shaken her deeply. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, walking on unsteady legs to her adjoined bathroom to take care of her morning routine.

After she'd dressed in a simple long-sleeve T-shirt and a pair of worn-in jean shorts, she padded softly down the stairs and into the kitchen, looking to make herself a cup of tea that would hopefully perk her up a bit. The Hanyou wasn't there, but she knew that, as she hadn't sensed his presence as she'd come down the stairs. She set her kettle to boil and got to making a simple breakfast of Tamagoyaki, hoping that the smell of food would be enough to draw InuYasha out as she didn't much feel like traipsing around the property.

She hummed along to herself as she cooked, finding the act almost therapeutic. Her cheeks flushed uncomfortably as her mind wandered back to the strange dream. It had felt so real, his kiss, his hands on her skin, how free she felt letting herself be hunted and conquered. The words that he had spoken to her, even just remembering how his voice sounded while he confessed to her had her heart racing all over again.

InuYasha sat in the shade beneath the Goshinboku tree, his arms tucked into his sleeves and pensive expression on his face. Daylight filtered in from the tree's canopy, dappling his skin with patches of the golden beams as he reflected on the dream that had woken him so suddenly. It had been so real, so intimate that he had woken with a start, hastily lurching away from Kagome's sleeping form to escape outside, out into the fresh air where her scent wasn't so overwhelming. It still lingered on his skin, jasmine and cherry blossom mingling with that of his own familiar Yokai.

He'd dreamt that he was chasing her, hunting her as she playfully led him deeper into the wood and into an ethereal looking meadow that was littered with wildflowers. He could feel the beast in his blood rattling at its cage, howling with the need to take her, make her submit to him in every way. He'd felt it as strongly as he could feel his own heart pumping in his chest now, it had been so vivid. The feel of her lips, the way her body fit against his, it drove him wild and the dream had only sufficed to have his lust for her growing even stronger. And… in the end, he'd said those words… those words that he couldn't even bring himself to say a loud.

"I love you."

He'd felt the truth of the words when he'd spoken them in the dream, and the thought troubled him deeply. It had all seemed too real, too intense to just be a fluke and he was on edge as a result. He could still remember how he'd felt in the moment, his chest flooding with warmth for the breathless girl that was wrapped up in his arms, her delicate body cradled in an intimate embrace against him. He loved her; he was quick to admit it there but here, now… he wasn't as certain as his dream self. He was uneasy but unsure as to why. Everything seemed to be leading him to her, drawing him to claim her. It was a little overwhelming, all these sudden feelings. Yet, he couldn't ignore them. She was like cold water on a hot afternoon, she was a balm to his soul. He would die to protect her, toss himself into the flames without a second thought if it meant she could live even another hour. But was that love? Or was it just loyalty that held him? Even as the thought crossed his mind, he disregarded it with a snort, knowing that it was a lie.

Maybe that's what had started it, he could admit. After she'd fought for him the first time, had shed tears for him, he had felt the need to protect her, as she had done him. And her tears had moved him. He could remember coming in and out of consciousness, soothed by the smell of cherry blossoms and jasmine as his body fought to overcome the poison that the spider Yokai they'd been fighting had injected him with. His body had been human and weak, as it had been a new moon, and the venom easily wrought havoc on his system. He had been borderline delirious, and he couldn't really remember what he'd said but the image of her then was forever burned into his mind. She had said that she thought she was going to lose him, that he was going to die. Even now, he could hear her voice in his mind, thick with her tears. She had barely known him at the time, but still, she'd saved him. She'd cried for him. She didn't hesitate. And she didn't leave after, when he was broken and vulnerable. He'd laid his head in her lap and slowly drifted to sleep as her hands stroked through his raven black hair. The memory stirred something wistful in him, remembering how simple those early days seemed now as he looked back on them.

The smell of food cooking and the loud sound of his stomach rumbling shook him out of his own head, and he looked back off toward the house, scenting the air with a growing appetite. He knew that he would have to face her eventually, anyway. And it was only a dream, after all.

He slowly rose, walking towards the house at a leisurely pace, taking his time as he made his way to the kitchen. Her back was to him as she worked over the stove, humming a sweet tune as her inky black hair hung freely, cascading down her shoulders in an obsidian river. Whatever she was cooking smelled damn good, and his stomach rumbled again loudly, alerting her to his presence immediately.

"How long have you been standing there?" she chuckled, a blush on her cheeks as she turned to meet his eyes.

"Keh. Not long." He smirked, crossing the cool tile with bare feet to stand beside her. He wanted to slip his hand around her waist, pull her close and kiss her but he didn't. Instead, he just brushed the hair over her ear softly, without thinking, watching as she flushed prettily at the innocent touch.

"so uh, how'd you sleep?" She asked conversationally, eyes carefully avoiding his.

He felt like his heart had stopped dead in his chest at the question, and he was unsure of how to answer at first, knowing that there was no way he could tell her about the vivid dream that even now had his palms feeling sweaty. "Um, I uh, I slept pretty well I guess." It wasn't a lie. Before he'd woken so abruptly, he'd been resting as peacefully as a newborn pup, completely dead to the world.

She nodded, a soft smile on her face as she carefully transferred whatever she had made onto a plate before she started on another batch. "I'm glad."

"Well," he prompted expectantly, "what about you?" If possible, her blush deepened even further as she looked up at him through her lashes.

"Good." She left it at that, not wanting to give away anything about the dream she'd had, knowing that the Hanyou was more perceptive than anyone gave him credit for. Her gaze shifted back down to the first layer of egg in the square pan that was ready to be rolled, and she worked hastily, shaking a bit under the pressure of his stare. She wanted to ask him where he'd been, why he was gone before she woke up, but the words stuck in her throat.

"You can go ahead and sit down if you want. I'm just finishing this up." At her urging, he took a seat at the long dining table, and after a few minutes the Tamagoyaki was ready, and she presented the steaming little roll to him with a beaming smile on her face. "I hope you like it!" She chirped, taking the chair beside him and tucking into the hot food. She watched him, amused, as he carefully inspected it, giving it an experimental sniff before taking a small bite.

They finished up their breakfast, speaking of trivial things and all the while Kagome couldn't help but feel like she had forgotten something, something important that they needed to discuss but she couldn't place her finger on just what it was. So, she dismissed it, just happy to be sharing such a moment with the man that had stolen her heart.

A few hours later, after they'd taken a short walk around the shrine and stolen a few kisses and suddenly her phone was barraged with text messages from her small circle of friends, Kagome realized that it was Friday already. And she had completely forgotten about that party her friends had invited them to. She'd been so absorbed in the half-demon's presence that it hadn't even crossed her mind.

Her lip caught between her teeth as she anxiously worried it there, wondering if she should even bother trying to convince InuYasha to go. He'd met Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka once or twice and they had liked him well enough, but she had no idea how he'd react around other males, especially now that they'd… well, he'd always had a nasty jealous streak, anyway, not that she couldn't say the same for herself.

Hastily, she typed up a reply, sending it off quickly. As stupid as it sounded, she really wanted to go. She was still a teenager, after all, and she'd never even been to a party before. How tragic, she thought to herself, trying to think of a way to convince the half-demon. It seemed an impossible task. But… it couldn't hurt to ask, right?

He sat on the floor in the living room, his legs crossed neatly beneath him and his eyes were glued to the tv screen. His white hair flowed somewhat messily down his back, his robe mussed and hanging loosely on his strong frame, disheveled from their earlier activities. The heat rose in her cheeks as she thought back to his heated kisses and lingering touches. He hadn't taken her again, but he wasn't shy when it came to showing her just how much he wanted her. She was surprised, not used to seeing this affectionate side of the Inu. Not that she minded, she liked the way his hands felt on her and the way every kiss had her blood surging.

Golden eyes were suddenly piercing her, holding her gaze from where she stood across the room, rooting her to the spot. That look had liquid heat roaring through her veins, pooling at her center and making her feel weak with its intensity. He smirked wickedly, looking smug and she knew that he was perfectly aware of just how he affected her.

"Come here." He beckoned, all but purred. Wordlessly, she obeyed, coming to sit beside him on the floor, so close that their thighs touched, and the feeling sent her heart pounding. She looked up at him through her lashes, still somewhat shy and a bit timid to this type of closeness. It scared her a little, with its intensity at times. She never thought that it could ever feel like this, to shiver and shake after only the simplicity of a kiss, to tremble at an innocent graze of skin. It was a completely foreign feeling as she knew that when it came to InuYasha, control was not something she could hold onto easily. Her body often betrayed her, clouding her mind with wanton thoughts and all but demanding his touch. It drove her crazy, her body and mind warring with each other. She wanted him, yes. That was obvious. She even loved him… but was that enough? She'd given herself to him so easily, what if… what if he left her, what then? A deep sense of foreboding filled her then, a feeling of warning. She was tugged from her thoughts by the feeling of InuYasha's fingers on her chin, gently guiding her to look at him.

"What's got you so spacey?" He murmured, his thumb trailing a path down her jawline, and she wanted to melt into the warm caress.

Her mind scrambled to come up with something before he probed any further. Kagome sputtered, blurting the first thing that she could think of. "Well there's this, uh… party tonight, and I-well, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go…" She trailed off awkwardly, blushing as she avoided his eyes, noting his blank expression.

"Party?" He questioned; voice tilted in confusion.

"A gathering," She clarified shyly, "to celebrate spring break, I guess."

"and you want me to go…with you?" He sounded unsure, and she couldn't help but look at him again, eyes searching.

"If you don't want to, it's no big deal we can just hang around here again- " She was babbling, and he quickly cut her off with a gentle stroke of his thumb across her bottom lip, effectively silencing her.

"I want to, I just- I don't…" He sighed heavy mid-sentence, shaking his head. "well, I just don't wanna embarrass you, is all."

Her heart softened for him; his golden eyes downcast in his uncertainty. "You could never." She said seriously, her hand resting on his thigh comfortingly. "It really isn't a big deal, InuYasha, I just thought I'd ask." She felt the need to further reassure him, wishing that she hadn't bothered to bring it up at all. Trying to ignore the sting of disappointment, she gave him a bright smile, one that had him returning the gesture with his own demure version, lips twisted crookedly.

"We can go, Kagome." He surprised her, his voice sounding calm, even though inside he was anything but. His stomach twisting anxiously, his heart thumping against his ribs painfully hard. He did his best to mask his real feelings on the matter, not wanting to let her down. It was obvious, this party was important to her, at least to some extent. Otherwise, she wouldn't have mentioned it. And he had practically scented her disappointment in the air between them.

He watched her eyes grow wide in disbelief, excitement pulsing like electricity in her aura. He couldn't help but feel a little pleased with the way she was looking at him, expression open and showing her emotions freely. "Really?" she asked, voice hopeful, her little hands gripping the sleeve of his haori.

"Yeah, why not." He said casually with a roll of his eyes, feigning confidence. "It just a bunch of lousy humans, I can take 'em."

Her slim arms were around his neck instantly, pulling him close in a crushing hug that left his cheeks flaming. "Thank you!" Her lips pressed against his cheek wetly, her little body practically humming with her delight. His hand came up to press against the small of her back, holding her there against him and he took the opportunity to steal a real kiss from her sweet mouth, his lips moving over hers languidly. He could hear her soft intake of breath as she clutched onto him, he could feel her arching into his touch. He loved it. He loved how her body responded to him, always so warm and willing. Soft skin and long fragrant hair, eyes like pools of dark honey in the sunlight. She drove him to madness without even trying, just the scent of her alone could boil his blood with its fiery heat.

When he was with her, he felt… almost like a normal man. Valued, accepted. Even… loved. he didn't want to say the word, didn't want to even think it. It was irrational, some small part of him knew, but even still… after everything, he just couldn't bring himself to admit to it, even if only to himself. With effort, he shook those thoughts away, buried them deep in the recesses of his mind and focused only on the flushed girl that was practically sat in his lap. Their lips had broken apart, and he could feel her breath gently ghost over his cheek, her arms draped loosely around his neck.

What was she thinking at that moment? Her eyes were downcast, hidden by her thick eyelashes. He desperately wanted to know, but bit his tongue, cupping her cheek and pulling her in for another kiss instead.

Hello everyone! I hope nobody minds a lil early update :) This was one of my favorite chapters so far, lots of set up for the future and I can't wait! Definitely go and tell me what you think of this mysterious Kami! Also, thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter your feedback was AMAZING! Seriously, ya'll are awesome. Thanks for reading!