Chapter Nine

The next day dawned bright, but the Miko and the Hanyou slept in late, staying curled up in her bed long after they'd both woken up. It was their last day in the modern era together, the last chance they would get to be truly alone for some time. Her family was due back tomorrow, and she'd explained to him that he absolutely couldn't be here when they arrived, as she knew that would definitely send the wrong message to her mother. Not to say that her family was entirely traditional in that respect. From what she knew, she had been born before her father and mother were married, and often she'd suspected that she and Sota were only half-siblings, but she had never asked. She had never given it too much thought before, had never felt the need to press for answers but now the thought seemed to stand out to her, wriggling in the back of her mind as if it was important.

And obviously they were all very accepting of the situation with InuYasha but still, she didn't want to give her mother any reason to suspect that anything of interest had gone on while she was away.

So, they laid in her small bed, both soaking up these intimate moments that may be few and far in between when they returned to the Feudal era. Her legs were bare as she only wore a loose T-shirt that cut off at her mid-thigh and a pair of pink striped panties, she was cradled against the Hanyou's broad chest. Last night was the first time she had slept so flush against him, and she was surprised that she had managed to get any sleep at all with the feeling of his rock-hard body pressed against her. They stayed like that for a while, sharing soft kisses and a few soft-spoken words here and there, both wanting to prolong the moment for as long as they could.

As long as he lived, he knew that he would never get used to the softness of her skin or the way she molded into him, like she'd been made to fit there, tucked beneath his chin. He wanted to stay like that forever, to revel in the feel of her touch and how her tantalizing scent tempted him so sweetly. Everything about her attracted him; her delicate frame, the curves it housed, her eyes… even the purity of her aura reeled him in, and he was helpless to stop the pull of her. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to at this point.

His hands seemed to roam over her hips of their own accord, seeking out the exposed skin beneath the soft fabric of the garment she wore. She arched into the touch, and her small sound of approval was more than enough to set the fire in his blood raging again. His mouth found hers in a passionate kiss that had her moaning into him, her lips working clumsily to keep up with his demanding rhythm. He loved the sounds she made for him, the way she responded to him so easily.

His heart was pounding in his chest, his control beginning to waver at the thought of taking her again. After they had lain together for the first time, he had been almost scared to touch her, scared that he would hurt her again, only worse this time. It was too easy for him to lose control; she was too intoxicating. But, even still, he couldn't help but want her. Her body called to him, begging for his touch and he knew when the thick scent of arousal began to drift off her skin that she needed him just as badly as he needed her in that moment.

He kissed her with renewed vigor, stealing her breath away as internally, he threw caution to the wind. He would just have to be more careful this time, gentler with his delicate little priestess.

Kagome could feel the heat that rushed over her skin, could feel the way it tingled as it pooled low in her belly. His rough hand that had been caressing her skin so sweetly gripped her thigh, pulling her leg to wrap around his hips. With this new angle, she could feel every inch of his hard length as it strained against the thick fabric of his hakama, pressed against her middle. He growled lowly at the contact, his mouth slipping from hers to ravish her neck. The deep rumbling of the sound crackled like thunder in her ear, leaving her gasping and clutching at his robe as wetness pooled in her panties.

"InuYasha…" She panted as his hand slithered its way down, between her legs to stroke at the delicate skin of her inner thighs, the tips of his claws dragging gently. The feeling sent shivers racing across her body and her thoughts were beginning to grow fuzzy as all she could think about was him, his touch. How she desperately wanted him to consume her completely.

"Yes, Kagome?" His voice was thick with his want, sultry and rich like the finest chocolate and it made her weak when he said her name like that. His fingers drifted ever closer to her center, the part of her that was absolutely begging for him. she trembled, unconsciously moving her hips closer to those stroking digits and the pleasure she knew he could give her.

A deep chuckle echoed in his chest, gold eyes sparkling with amusement but also narrowed and heady with lust as he looked at her, drinking up her flushed and wanton appearance. Her lips were pink and swollen from his ravenous kisses, and her hair was wild and splayed around her, and he found himself rumbling in appreciation. She could've been a goddess, and she was crying out for his touch. He didn't have it in him to deny her, or himself, any longer, no matter how much he would like to drag out the moment and ravish her completely.

Taking her mouth again, he used that as a distraction as he finally trailed his fingers at the wetness at her center, groaning into the kiss as he felt just how drenched the fabric of her covering was. Her delicate fingers clutched onto him; he could feel her trembling with need. The Yokai half of him was roaring, feeling rather smug at how he had so easily undone the girl with just one simple touch. But InuYasha was doing his best to ignore his more bestial side, wanting to be tender and gentle as last time he had lost control.

He pushed the fabric aside, feeling her slickness and he sought out the key to her pleasure. He was careful of his claws as he stroked her at the little pearl that was hidden there and smirked against her mouth when she started to shake. She broke their passionate kiss, gasping for air while she moaned his name, her body convulsing while his fingers worked on her wickedly. A fire was raging inside him, knowing that he was giving her pleasure, that it was his name that fell from her lips so sensually. He could feel his fangs lengthen, could feel the burn of the marks as they formed on his cheeks as a growl loosed itself from his throat. The smell of her arousal was so thick, it fogged over his senses as it permeated the air with its sweetness, drowning him.

"Fuck, Kagome…" He rumbled, feeling her quake beneath his touch, her mouth open as she panted wordlessly. He was painfully hard, too much clothing still separated them, and he needed to feel her skin on his own, desperately.

He withdrew his fingers from her wetness, and she sagged in what he knew was disappointment, but as she looked at him he didn't give her a chance to protest, stealing the words from her lips with a searing kiss. "These," His claw dragged along the fabric that covered her center, "need to come off, now."

If possible, the blush on her cheeks deepened even further as her eyes flickered away shyly at the commanding tone his voice held. Not that she would ever admit it, but she loved it when he spoke to her like that, leaving her no room for objection. Hesitantly, she broke away from his body to slowly slide her panties down her legs and toss them on the floor, feeling exposed now to his hungry gaze. He was still fully dressed, and she longed to see the golden skin that was hidden beneath layers of clothing. She reached up to slide her small hand beneath the fabric of his robe and his white under Yukata, groaning at the hard steel of his chest. But his eyes traveled down her body, red with lust and all Yokai, and it was obvious that he had other ideas.

Before she could react, he was perched onto of her, pinning her to the mattress with a wicked grin on his face. "What are you…" but before she could finish, he was slithering down her body so fast he was a blur until he stopped, his head firmly between her thighs. She gasped, trying to wriggle away in vain while he pinned her with a well-placed forearm across her middle, effectively immobilizing her. He only gazed up at her with a devious looking smirk, his eyes dark crimson and lustful as they drank in the sight of her most private area. She could feel herself blushing all the way up to her ears as she desperately wanted to cover herself, even though she knew he had to have seen it before, still, it was embarrassing.

"InuYasha! What are you doing?" she tried to use her hands to block the half-demon, but he swatted them away easily, grabbing both her wrists in one hand as if it were nothing.

Despite herself and her obvious embarrassment, she grew even wetter under the intensity of his stare, how he ravaged her with his eyes in a way that had her trembling again.

"I have to taste you." His voice was rough and deep and sent shivers racing down her spine, she opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out as he lunged for her. His mouth lapped at the wetness like a man who was dying of thirst, his tongue sliding through her folds delivering the most intense sensation she had ever felt. She convulsed beneath him, her legs shaking as her fingers came up to weave into his thick silver hair.

She couldn't think straight, everything except the feeling of his mouth was a jumbled mess and she felt like she was going to come undone completely any second now. Words fell senselessly from her lips, mostly his name and a few gasped curses. That feeling she had grown so familiar with, that pulsing heat, was building low in her belly, twisting, thrashing, spreading throughout her as he devoured her with abandon. Her hips ground into his face at their own accord, and she moaned loudly at the delicious friction that caused. But his arm pressed firmly across her waist stilled her again, pressing her deeper into the mattress as he growled in warning. His tongue stroked over her pearl roughly in an unforgiving rhythm, and she couldn't help but to shake at the feeling, panting his name.

"Please, Inu… I'm gonna…" she couldn't finish the words, a cry tore from her throat as waves of pleasure crashed over her and stars exploded behind her eyes, her body spasming and convulsing against his mouth that still lapped at her center, prolonging the intense orgasm until she was a weak and boneless mess, shying away from his touch as the aftershocks rocked through her.

"oh… my… Kami…" she gasped, eyes heavy as she looked own her body to eye the Hanyou, who was placing kisses along the skin of her thighs with a smug look on his face. She was still quivering from the intensity of her climax, her head still foggy and clouded with lust. He lifted himself off her, his deft fingers working to undo the ties of his haori.

The fabric fell to the ground and was soon followed by his yukata, exposing his rigid chest to her hungry eyes. She drank him in, the pure unbridled want at the sight of him had her licking her lips. Without thinking about it, she sat up, reaching for the hem on the t-shirt as she pulled it over her head and tossed it across the room. She was sure that she was blushing like mad, but she didn't care. The way he eyed her hungrily, with his lust so clear in his crimson gaze had her feeling like the most beautiful girl on the planet.

His hakama fell to the floor and this time she didn't avert her eyes, just gasped at the straining manhood between his legs that seemed like it could never fit inside her. It had before, and she knew it would again, but it was intimidating up close. She licked her lips nervously, not bothering to hide the way she admired his body so blatantly. He grinned crookedly, the tips of his elongated fangs sparkling deadly sharp in the low light. Her heartbeat loudly in her chest, the blood rushing through her body electrified by her palpable lust and she knew he could hear it. She could tell by the way he licked his lips, listening to the sound of it coursing through her and scenting her want for him in the heavy air between them.

He pounced on her, claiming her mouth as she eagerly wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer. Her hands wandered the hard muscles of his chest, one of them wrapping around the dark, heavy beads that tingled with magic, while the other made its way up to tangle in his silver locks. A large, calloused hand drew a path down her side, glass-like claws scraping over her skin deliciously, making her shiver with anticipation. He broke their kiss, immediately feasting on the delicate flesh of her neck, lavishing at the spot where her neck and shoulder met, the spot that had her mewling beneath him, hands grasping at his sturdy shoulders while he devoured her.

He could taste the arousal on her skin, rich and sweet and smoky. He tasted her desire, her need and it had his blood boiling, his control beginning to waver as his mind grew fuzzy with the intoxicating combination on her scent and her taste. He wanted to drown in it, to commit it to memory so as to never forget. He shifted his attentions lower, planting kisses all over the sensitive skin of her chest, his mouth teasing as he worked his way down to her breast. He lapped at a taut pink nipple, hardening it with his attentions. She gasped, still clutching at his hair while she bucked against him.

He played with her relentlessly, leaving her writhing and mewling beneath his hot mouth and teasing fingers. When he seemed satisfied that she was putty in his devious hands, he sat up on his knees, grabbing one of her legs in each hand, yanking her closer until their bodies were pressed flushed against one another. InuYasha let out a low hiss at the feel of her wetness sliding across his straining length, aching to be buried inside of her.

Her hands grasped at the beads of subjugation around his neck, her eyes narrowed with the heady lust that shone there. A growl rumbled deep in his chest like thunder, breaking and crashing between them and he couldn't help himself any longer. In one swift motion, he thrust deeply into her, sheathing himself in her completely. He let out a hiss of pleasure as she cried out, her hands fisting in the sheets, head thrown back and her breasts on full display.

The sight of her, so lost in what he was doing to her, had him smirking in satisfaction as he rolled his hips into hers, groaning at her tightness.

"Fuck, 'gome. You feel so good." He didn't mean to say it. It just slipped out. But she was moaning so loud he doubted that she'd even heard. While one of his hands came up to palm her breast roughly, the other sliding down her slick skin to grip her thigh, guiding her to draw her leg up to rest on his shoulder.

This new angle had her trembling in a whole different way, his hardness pressing against a spot deep inside her that sent her reeling. Her mind was gone, empty of everything that wasn't the intense pulse of pleasure that was pooling low in her belly, as she mindlessly sought her release.

"Inu…" She gasped when his fingers found their way between their slick bodies to circle her clit ruthlessly, her body shaking and spasming with the new sensation. The feeling was overwhelming, breath-stealing, world-burning. She dragged her hands along the rippling muscles of his chest, relishing in the feel of his smooth skin as he drove her closer and closer to the climax that she knew was coming.

He pounded into her supple flesh, his pace brutal but deep, caressing the entrance to her womb with every thrust, he could feel her slick walls tightening, quivering. She was close, and he was not far behind.

"Kagome." The sound of her name rolling off his tongue, so rough and sensuous, almost a growl, sent shivers racing down her spine, her hips rising up to meet his, the rhythm frantic and primal. She couldn't take it anymore, her heart was racing and her breath coming in short and fast little pants, body clenching. She was lost, spiraling as white light exploded behind her eyes, moans falling from her lips senselessly. She spasmed and writhed, imploding beneath the Hanyou.

His face contorted into a vicious snarl, hands gripping her body as he seated himself to the hilt, rumbling out his release as he held her there, filling her with his seed. She could only whimper, her small hands gripping at his shoulders while she trembled, her lips parted while he forced her to take every last drop. They looked so full and pink, he couldn't help but lean down to capture them in a fevered kiss, the heat lingering even as they broke away. He moved off her, laying carefully beside her on the small bed, his hand holding her hip possessively, stroking across her flushed skin.

She was still quivering, shaking as the aftershocks of their intense coupling rolled through her. He pulled her close against him, taking her in his arms, relishing in the feel of her naked body pressed so completely against him as they both panted in the aftermath.

"InuYasha…" Her voice was breathy, his name coming out like more of a gasp and at the sound, he could feel himself hardening again. "That was… amazing." Her eyes flicker up to his shyly, her cheeks holding a dark blush. Her fingers traced patterns on his chest, leaving a tingling trail of sensation in their wake. His hands tighten their hold on her, a rumble of appreciation ripping itself from his throat when he could feel her wet heat burning into his body, his length brushing against her soft skin between them.

She let out a little gasp, dark eyes going wide as he captured her mouth again, relentlessly kissing her until all she could do was surrender. When he finally broke away, they were both breathing hard, eyes glazed over with his unabashed lust. His large hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb tracing over her bottom lip sensuously, the feeling sending fire shooting straight down to her core.

He had her wrapped around his finger and he knew it. She was trembling, her little hands clutching at him desperately, even after he'd thoroughly pleasured her, she was still aching for more. The thought had him rock hard again in an instant, and he knew that she could feel it, could tell by the way her breath hitched and she seemed to press even closer. He couldn't stop the groan that slipped out at the feeling.

"Kagome," He ground out, voice rough and seductive. She tilted her head back to look him in the eyes, lashes fluttering, and voluptuous lips parted.

"Please…" She whimpered, her voice sounding so erotic, even to her own ears. "InuYasha… take me again." She looked away from his burning golden eyes, feeling slightly embarrassed by her begging and how wanton she sounded, but she couldn't stop herself when she leaned in for another kiss.

The kiss was charged with passion, pure heat as their bodies slowly came together again, and this time he took it slow, loving her well into the afternoon.

A while later, after they were both completely sated and exhausted, the sun was beginning to lose a bit of its intensity as it began to sink a little in the sky. They were sat together outside, on the bench in the shade of the Goshinboku, so close that their legs were touching. She'd finally had a moment to gather her thoughts, and she knew that it was finally time to talk about some of the things that had been bothering her. She needed answers, plain and simple.

"So, Kagome, what did you want to talk about, exactly?" InuYasha looked at her, curiosity gleaming in the burning amber of his eyes.

She could feel her cheeks heating up already, and her eyes flickered away from his shyly, looking out across the shrine with a bashful sort of look on her face. "I… Well… I- I need to know, InuYasha, I need to know what you meant when you said that you'd be ready to take a mate soon." Her face was on fire, but she forced the words out, unable to bring herself to meet his eyes. At the time, when he'd told her, she'd just brushed it off. She didn't really understand, but she wanted to. Needed to.

"Uh… whaddya mean?" he asked after a moment, voice tilted in confusion.

"I just… I want to know what that means, for us." She said pointedly, after a moment of silence.

He could feel himself stumbling over the question in his mind because the truth was that he didn't know. A part of him wanted to mate her, desperately, but another, much smaller part of him was unsure. He didn't know what to say. She was waiting on his answer, but he had nothing for her, his mind was drawing a blank.

The silence stretched between them, and internally he was a mess. How could he tell her that he wasn't sure if even wanted to take a mate at all? But her feelings, he knew, were easily hurt and he knew she would be upset if he just came right out and said exactly that. He studied the ground, mentally cursing himself and his own stupidity. Why couldn't he be good with words like Miroku? He would give anything to possess a silver tongue just as his, in that moment.

He could feel her shifting uneasily beside him, and he felt compelled to raise his head and look into those dark, sparkling eyes that held him firmly in their grasp.

When he looked into those eyes, he knew, right then, right there. She would be his, and he would be hers, each of them marked and forever bound together no matter the cost. The revelation was earth-shattering, and it was all he could do just to look at her dumbly for a moment, feelings that he had no power over flooding through him.

There would be no other. Only Kagome.

"I would take you as my mate, Kagome, if that was something that you wanted." His voice was low and serious, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that left her breathless.

She struggled to find the right words to say, her thoughts jumbled and incoherent as his words echoed in her ears. She wanted to cry. She wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him into oblivion, but she felt rooted to the spot, frozen with shock.

"InuYasha, I-" Her throat felt tight with emotion, her heart pounding loudly against her ribs. "I-Yes!" It was all she could say, but it was more than enough. She could see the relief shine plainly on his face, a grin twisting at his lips. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders loosely, bringing her against him while she beamed, eyes welling up with tears.

"There's still time yet until I come of age, at least another six months or so. Hopefully, we can defeat Naraku by then and-" the sight of a crystalline teardrop trailing down her cheek had him stopping in his tracks, looking at her like she'd grown a second head. "why are you crying?"

She didn't answer immediately, and she hastily wiped the tears away with a disbelieving smile still etched onto her face, chuckling as she did. "I'm just so happy!" It felt akin to a marriage proposal, and that was something that she had dreamed of ever since she was a little girl. Of course, she didn't think that she'd instead be mating a Hanyou from the Feudal Era, and they hadn't even been able to say I love you yet but as he said, there was still time.

"You're crying because you're... happy?"

"Yes, InuYasha." She giggled, kissing him on the cheek. "you really are oblivious, aren't you?"

He flushed, looking away embarrassedly in a way that had her heart-melting in her chest.

"Yeah, well, who cries just 'cause they're happy, anyway? What are ya, a baby?" He snickered, but his voice was light and teasing. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, unable to stop the giggle that forced its way out. She elbowed him in the side playfully, laughing when he didn't budge, one silver brow arched his, a completely blank look on his face. "Ouch." He said sarcastically, his voice completely deadpan.

"Quit being a baka and kiss me already!" as soon as the words had left her mouth his lips were on hers, pressing tenderly in a sweet, chaste kiss that had her melting against him. It was over too soon. He was looking at her so seriously, tenderness reflected in those slitted eyes. She wanted to tell him then, that she loved him. It felt like the perfect moment but still, she couldn't force the words out past her teeth.

She looked away from his intense gaze, blushing. She took a deep breath, hoping to clear he head a little and get her thoughts back on track.

"InuYasha, there something else I need to know."

He looked back at her wearily. "Okay, so what is it?"

"What was up with you and Hinata last night?" It had seemed like more than just male rivalry. And also, the strange pulse of Yokai she'd felt while she and Ayumi had lingered in that hallway was still unsettling to her. She had never encountered a demon in the present, so the fact that she would sense such an aura, though weak, as it had been, had her feeling a bit on edge.

"That guy…he's not human." The half-demons voice was low, his eyes leveled at her intently. But the words didn't register to Kagome. She looked at him, disbelieving, her mind immediately dismissing the notion.

"No, that's impossible, he's… he's just a regular guy!" She exclaimed; eyebrows furrowed as she frowned.

"No, he's not." He said matter-of-factly, in a way that left no room for disagreement. "I'm surprised you didn't pick up on it. It was weak, but I sensed it immediately. I don't know what he is, but he's definitely not 'just a regular guy'."

She was at a loss for words, unwilling to believe that what he was saying could be true. She had felt that strange aura that pulsed faintly with Yokai, but… could Hinata really be a demon? She didn't know… surely, if he was, she would've known it as soon as she'd met him, right? But there were ways to mask one's aura if there was a need for it. And she knew that InuYasha wouldn't lie to her.

"Well… do you think he's…dangerous?" She said tentatively, heart sinking in her chest.

"I don't think so, but Kagome… promise me, when you're here without me, just stay away from him." he all but growled, tightening his hold on her as she met his eyes seriously, her hand coming up to cup his cheek.

"I will, I swear." If Hinata really wan anything other than human, it would definitely be a good idea to stay as far away from him at possible. She'd probably see him at school, but she felt safe enough there surrounded by other people. It did worry her that this guy was hanging around her friends, and she had no idea what he was capable of. But they had been fine thus far, and she didn't exactly have time to deal with someone who wasn't necessarily a threat, for the moment, anyway. She just had to hope they'd be fine, but she swore to herself that if he touched a single hair on any of their heads, she'd purify his ass in a heartbeat.

"Good." He nodded, seemingly satisfied with her answer and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, whisking away all thoughts of Hinata and his questionable humanity.

When they finally broke apart, she laid her head on his shoulder with a sigh, not looking forward to spending the night alone. But she knew it was for the best, even if she hated the thought of sleeping without him. She doubted her mother would take well to finding them tangled together in the morning.

She had a lot to think about. But she was glad that they'd finally talked, and it seemed like they were on the same page. She peeked up at him through her lashes as he looked off into the distance, the sun reflected in his golden eyes. His thick, silver hair whipped in the breeze, framing the rigid outline of his face beautifully. She couldn't help but be enraptured by him. He oozed boyish charm and masculinity, his unabashed nature being one of the things that drew her to him the most. He had a good heart, though he often tried to hide it. She loved him. Truly, purely, and with her whole self. She would move mountains if it meant she could stay by his side.

Later, they said goodbye. She would see him again in a week, but still, she couldn't help but feel sad to see him go. He gripped her chin carefully between his forefinger and thumb, careful of his claws, and pulled her in for a searing kiss that left her blushing and wanting more.

"Be careful, okay?" His voice was soft, tender and he looked down at her, his eyes serious.

"I promise." She nodded, saddened as he walked away, pausing to throw her a look over his shoulder as he neared the rim of the well. He wore his characteristic smirk, his liquid amber gaze shining in the dark well house.

"You'll be back in a week, right?"

"As soon as school lets out on Friday I'll be there. Will you wait for me?" she caught her bottom lip between her teeth anxiously, hands wringing together.

"Keh." He smirked, "always."

And with that, he was gone, jumping through the well, encased in glowing blue light as he floated through time.

When the light faded, leaving her in darkness, she felt more alone than she ever had before. She wanted to jump in after him, and for a moment she actually considered it. But her family would be home in the morning and she still possessed a shred of self-control, or that's what she told herself, at least. Resolved to spending the night alone, Kagome made her way up the creaky wooden steps, shutting the shed door behind her as she meandered the pathways around the shrine.

The moon shone down, silver light bathing the picturesque shrine while stars glittered high above her. A cool breeze swept through the canopy of trees that surrounded the property, carrying with it the sounds of the night. It was beautiful. She loved the moon, loved its pristine beauty and the way a sense of peace seemed to envelop her whenever she was beneath its gentle rays.

It stirred something deep inside her, something that she couldn't quite identify, something that spoke to her very soul.

She finally made her way inside, scratching Buyo's head affectionately as she passed. She locked the door behind her and walked up the stairs, plopping down her bed with a heavy sigh.

For the most part, she was happy, content. InuYasha wanted her as his mate. The significance of that was not lost on her. He was usually so reserved in his emotions, she could hardly believe he'd said those words to her. It was a promise of a lifetime… together. No matter what happened, nothing could ever tear them apart.

She needed to learn more about demon mating, specifically about the mating of a half-demon to a human, and how it would affect her. She didn't know much about things like that, but off the top of her head, she could think of a few people who might be willing to give her some insight on the subject. If she could get her hands on Myoga, she was sure that the little flea would be useful in that respect. He seemed to have a limitless wealth of knowledge, though at times he could be a bit stingy with it. She doubted he would deny her the information, as the demon had always seemed to respect her, though she didn't have a clue as to why. The only trouble was that he often disappeared for weeks at a time, so she just had to hope that he was around when she made her way back to the feudal era.

And she didn't even want to think about Hinata. It was hard, almost impossible, for her to even think that he was anything other than the good-natured teenager that was quick with a joke and always had a smile on his face. She hadn't known him long, only a few days, but she had never sensed anything off or disingenuous, he had always seemed like a nice guy. Albeit one with some baggage, but nice, at least. It was strange to think that he could be a Yokai.

Was her power really that weak? Could she not even sense a low-level demon? She laid on her back, bringing her hands up to examine them. She rose her reiki to the surface, letting it crackle over her skin with electric purple light. It seemed a little brighter than normal, the tingling of the energy buzzing through her veins. Though it looked as if she was getting better, it still wasn't enough.

I'm no Kikyo

She thought sourly, remembering all the times the priestess had shown off her immense wealth of reiki. She could even hold her own against Naraku, for a time. While all Kagome did was get in the way. She needed to get stronger.

Maybe if she could fight, they could all come together and put an end to the great evil that threatened everything they held dear. And he deserved everything that was coming to him after what he'd done. After the decimation of Sango's village, after his possession of Kohaku and his usage of him as a weapon. After killing Shippo's family. After cursing Miroku's entire line to a tumultuous existence. After he'd turned InuYasha and Kikyo into enemies. For everything.

She watched, mesmerized by the pulsating color that seemed to focus, building in her palms. She pushed against her power, tried to will it to materialize there in her hand but even as she strained, it would not budge. She was left panting, sweating as it suddenly receded, the energy snapping back inside of her with a jolt. She gritted her teeth, silently cursing herself and her stupid weakness.

It wasn't enough.

Back in the feudal era, InuYasha sat high up in one of the many tree's surrounding Edo, nestled against its broad trunk on a long, sturdy branch. The night was still and quiet, and admittedly he felt a bit lonely without the wide-eyed girl nuzzled into his side.

He rested his head on the bark behind him, closing his eyes as he thought back to earlier when he'd asked her to become his mate, all but pledging himself to her right then and there. He couldn't deny it anymore. There was something about her, something that he couldn't explain. It was more than just lust, or loyalty, or trust that had driven him to make such a monumental decision.

It was the way she calmed him just by being there, the way her eyes lit up whenever he smiled at her, the way she said his name whenever their bodies were intertwined. She made him feel like nobody else ever had like he was enough.

Looking into her eyes as they shone, the color of the earth after torrential rains, something had clicked. His mind flashed back to the image of her in that dream, lying in the soft grass next to him with her lips swollen from his kisses and her skin flushed.

"I love you."

The words had felt so right, so true that it had shaken him to his very core. But he was beginning to realize… he did love her. He loved her so much it hurt, so much that he couldn't think straight. He didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't pretend anymore. He couldn't lie to himself. And maybe… maybe one of these days he could work up the courage to actually tell the girl.

Hey guys! I just couldn't wait to post the next chapter after reading all of your reviews! I'm so excited for this story, specifically the next few chapters, and I can't wait for you all to see what I have in store! Thank you guys SO much for reading and reviewing, it really warms my black little heart to know that people actually like what I do!