Then and Now

A/N: Okay. Now that we've caught up with Inu-chan we can proceed with this story. being stupid again and it's not letting me put marks to differentiate Youko's mind speach. Sorry about that.

Warnings: Language(Inu Yasha), brief nudity (no pictures, you pervs!), and angst (Inu/Kag).

Chapter11

Youko growled. How dare that mutt? "Kagome, listen to me, Love. NO ONE has the right to make you feel as though you deserve anything less than the best. You are infinitely better than anything that mutt deserves. You are better than anyone deserves. Only you can choose to give someone that honor. That value."

"Kurama..." Kagome whispered, touched, and kissed him

The kiss deepened softly, the kitsune trying to show all the love and desire he held for her in that kiss. To show her how worthy she was. Kagome sighed when the kiss finally broke. Her eyes fluttered open and peered into the intense golden orbs fixated on her blue ones. "Will you accept my gift, Kagome? There is no one more worthy than you."

"Hai, Kurama. I would love to wear the kimono." she answered, smiling at last. The Spirit Fox thought he might burst with joy when he saw her smile. He leaned in and kissed her again happily.

"You should go change for breakfast. Your kit is probably getting worried."

Kagome took the kimono and looked at it carefully. "I may need someone to help me put it on. This kind is a little more complicated than the ones I'm used to." Kurama stuck his head out the door to look for a maid. He knew the only professional dresser in the castle was a man with a more "hands-on" approach to his work than was really healthy. No maids were in their wing of the palace, and he reported this news to Kagome.

"I could help you, if you don't object. I've had to wear similar kimono many times."

Kagome had to consider that. She wasn't sure it was technically appropriate(actually, she was pretty sure it wasn't), but he knew what he was doing, and she couldn't resist the little shiver that went down her spine every time he touched her. What to do? "I guess it would be okay," she murmured, blushing.

He had been surprised to see her actually consider it. He'd expected her to ask him to go find one of the servants. But he couldn't believe she'd actually accepted the offer. She would let him dress her!

Now if we can just get her to let us un-dress her, we'd have something. This is definitely a start in the right direction.

I still can't believe she's letting us do this.

Don't question this one, Shuiichi, just enjoy what she's willing to give us and maybe we'll be offered more later.

Of course, I won't argue it. But we have to be extra careful. You heard the way that dog treated her. She has no idea how special she is. She has to be shown how much we treasure her.

Indeed.

"We should go into the dressing room, in case someone comes looking for us. The young miko nodded and followed her fox into the smaller chamber. She was feeling nervous now that she realized he was going to see her naked. She was afraid he would be turned off by her body and maybe he would decide to find a more attractive girl. Maybe it would be better to get it over with now, than to get even more attached to him. He saw her nervousness and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. He smiled gently when she looked up at him. "Ready?"

She nodded and began to untie her sleeping robe. She let the simple garment fall to the floor and stood there with her head down, unable to bear the look of disgust she was sure was there. Youko found himself unable to move for a long moment as he took in the sight of her naked body. Smooth, soft curves. Long legs. Shapely breasts. She was beautiful. He noticed the way she hung her head, and knew what she feared. He stepped toward her and took her chin in his fingers, tilting her head up.

"Kagome," he began. Her eyes held fear and an emotion he had trouble understanding from her. Shame. Kurama leaned down and kissed her deeply, wrapping his arms around her in comfort. He held her close, offering her security through his nearness, trying not to think about the fact that she was naked. "Kagome, why do you look as if you are going to cry? Your body is beautiful. If we had a bit more time, I would enjoy showing you how beautiful I think you are."

Kagome blushed but couldn't help smiling a little at his comment. He held her a bit longer, wishing he didn't have to let her go at all, before releasing her do dress. He helped her into each layer, securing each piece carefully. He led her to the mirror as he stepped back to admire her. So beautiful.

Kagome's eyes widened as she saw herself. "Is that me?" She asked meekly.

"Hai, it is. I told you you were beautiful. Come, your kit is likely wondering where we are." He offered her his arm and led her to the dining hall.

The room quieted suddenly as the pair entered. Shippo approached them with a look of awe in his eyes. "Kaa-san, you're so pretty..." Kagome knelt down carefully so as not to ruin Kurama's hard work and lifted her precious kit. She set him in his seat and took her own with her suitor by her side.

"Kagome nee-san, where did you get that kimono?" Rin asked excitedly.

"Kurama gave it to me this morning," Kagome blushed.

"You two should sit, the food is getting cold. The kimono is most becoming of you, however." Sesshou-maru broke in.

They seated themselves around the table and began eating the rice, fish and vegetables that had been provided. Hot green tea was set out in small pots on the table. Kurama poured a cup for his mate-to-be and for himself flirting with her a little as they ate. The mood was kept light and friendly, and Kagome felt very much at ease, even laughing and joking back. She even teased kurama a a bit as he flirted, showing that she was not adverse to his attention.

After the meal, Sesshou-maru approached Kagome and Kurama and asked to speak with them alone for a moment. They retreated to another room to talk in private. "Inu Yasha came last night to see you, Miko. I told him to wait until morning. He didn't like that idea, so I tied im to the tree out front. He still wants to see you, if you wish. If not, I will send him away."

Kagome thought for a moment. "He won't go away and stay away until he sees me. If you'll come out with me, Kurama, I'll go see what he wants."

Kurama nearly leapt for joy when she asked him to accompany her. She trusted him to protect her from the dog! "I would be happy to escort you, Koi. You know that I will let nothing harm you." He looked into her eyes, seriously.

Kagome almost melted right there. Yes, she knew he wouldn't let anything happen. She felt safer with him than she ever had in her life. The three of them walked out the front door, suddenly hearing Inu Yasha screaming curses as loud as he could. "Why couldn't we hear him inside? He's loud enough to wake the dead!" Kagome asked.

Sesshou-maru replied, "The walls of the palace are sound-proofed with spells. Only my own room is not, though the sounds are lowered. He's bound and determined to test the spells, though. He was gagged last night. I'm surprised that he was able to get through it. I'll have to put a stronger spell on it next time."

Inu Yasha smelled them coming. "Sesshou-maru, you ass! Bring Kagome out and let me go, NOW! You hear me! Get this fucking thing offa me! You bastard! I'm gonna- guhh..." His jaw dropped mid-sentence as Kagome and the others came through the gate. He couldn't help staring at her. She looked so beautiful in that kimono. Like a queen. Like a goddess. He couldn't speak. He couldn't move. He could only look at her and hope that she would give him another chance.

Kurama decided he'd had enough of Inu Yasha staring at Kagome, and she seemed uncomfortable as well. He stepped in front of her, blocking her from the hanyou's sight. "Stop drooling, Inu Yasha. You seem to be making Kagome uncomfortable."

Since Kagome was no longer in sight, Inu Yasha suddenly noticed his brother and the fox. The fox that, in more ways than one, stood between himself and Kagome. "Get away from Kagome, Fox! She stays with me!"

"Kagome asked me to accompany her out here to see you. I will only leave her side if she asks me to do so. It is Kagome's decision where she goes, and with whom. You have no right to decide for her those she associates with." Kurama stated coolly, "perhaps you should ask her what she wants. And If she is not ready to give an answer, that, too, must be respected. It is her life, after all."

Kagome nearly cried, she was so moved by his defense of her feelings. She had Never received such respect before. Her friends at school, Hojo, Inu Yasha, Kouga, they all assumed that they knew what was best for her. They never even considered that she might have an opinion of her own. It was as if she wasn't really a person to them. As if she wasn't real. It was nice to have someone in her life who understood that she was capable of deciding for herself. "What did you want to see me about, Inu Yasha?" She asked as she stepped slightly to the side. She was still behind Kurama, but she was somewhat more visible.

"Can I talk to you alone?" He asked, "And without the rope?"

"It's up to Sesshou-maru to remove the rope, but I would rather speak publicly. I have nothing to say that everyone here can't be present for." She answered him.

"I think it would be safer for all involved if you remain bound, Inu Yasha, lest your temper get the better of you." Sesshou-maru smirked.

Inu Yasha growled, but made no comment. "I came to say that I'm sorry, Kagome. I know I've been a jerk to you. I do care about you and I want to make things right between us. I want you to come back to the village with me and travel and hunt shards. I want you to stay with me when we're done. I don't want to be alone..."

"I've already committed myself to finding the rest of the jewel, Inu Yasha. And you're right, you have been a jerk. But look at everything else you've just said. It's all about what you want. I'm still not even a person to you. You don't even think about the fact that I have my own plans for my life. For my future. What about my family if I stay here? You would take me away from everything else I care about in my life because you don't want to be alone. It's not even me that you want. What happened to Kikyo?"

"She never loved me. She tricked me into mating with her so that she could help Naraku."

"So you came back because you couldn't have the one you wanted?"

"Yeah...I mean, N-NO! I care about you! Let me try Kagome!"

Kagome hung her head and leaned into the kitsune's side. He put an arm around her, holding her close. He knew the hanyou's unintentional admission had hurt her. "I think I'd like to go back inside now." She whispered sadly. She'd known it for a while, but it was something else entirely to actually hear him say it. Kurama led her back into the castle while the Taiyoukai remained outside to speak to his brother.

"You have made a very foolish choice. Truly, you have made many concerning the girl. How many times should she forgive you before she cannot do it anymore? She has chosen a better male, one who truly cares for her. He does not look to her to take the place of a former love. Leave her to her new love. If she chooses to remain your friend, count yourself lucky. She has endured more than enough heartache at your hands. That you actually admitted your lack of feeling for her as herself only proves that you are not worthy of her." He removed the bindings from his brother. "Go now. You have no business here now." The Western lord turned away and walked back into the castle, closing the gate behind him.

Well, this seems to be the best place to end this chappy. I'm already working on the next one. Not gonna give a time frame this time, I seem to just jinx myself that way.

Ja ne