A/N: Another short dream urged me to continue this story with just a few more chapters. All Inuyasha and Kagome...all love...so please enjoy!

As like every night, Inuyasha curled against the bark of one of his favorite trees that overlooked the village. Every thing seemed to quiet down after the Kagome's return a few days ago, and everyone seemed to settle into their old routines.

Inuyasha sighed. He was so used to being in this position for so long: sleeping alone as the others below rested safely. For three years he was able to watch over everything he needed to, except for the one he loved to protect the most…

But he no longer had to feel that way, because she returned. She came back to him. And despite his fears she reassured him that she was just as alone, that she still felt such a strong love for him after being so far apart.

It made him sigh in relief every time the thought passed through his mind. Kagome was his once again, but this time he needed to make sure it stayed that way. He needed to prove to her that he wasn't willing for anything to ever separate them again, and even though it made him anxious just thinking about it, he knew exactly what he had to do to prove that.

"Inuyasha! Whatcha doing up there?"

Inuyasha looked over to his right at the familiar voice. As anticipated, Kagome was below him, arms coyly tucked behind her back.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm sitting," he called back down.

"Well it looks like you could use some company. Make way, I'm coming up!"

He scoffed. "And what are you gonna do, climb?"

"Exactly," and to his surprise she started rolling up the sleeves of her yukata and grabbing on to the trunk of the tree, determined to make her way to him. Inuyasha watched.

"You know I was kidding, right?"

"Well I'm pretty sure that my tree climbing skills have improved since I was fifteen, so have a little faith in me," and slowly but surely she achieved a great height on the tree. Though impressed, Inuyasha decided to help her the rest of the way and reached for her hand as she drew closer. In one tug Kagome was over the branch and beside Inuyasha, dangling her feet high from off the ground.

"See?" she smiled proudly. "I did it."

"Yeah, with my help."

"Which I didn't ask for."

"Keh."

She turned to him as she continued swinging her legs. "So…what are you doing up here? It's getting late."

"Just watching, like I always do."

"Ah…"

"Shouldn't you be off to bed?"

"No," and her voice lowered at the thought. "It feels uncomfortable without you there."

Inuyasha blinked comprehending the message, and turned to her in surprise.

"Oh, hey," she interjected before he could comment and pointed in the short distance. "Look at Sango and Miroku down there. You know, I bet their wedding was great. I'm so bummed that I couldn't be here to see it. Have you ever been to a wedding, Inuyasha? Even the most reserved can smile in awe at the right one."

It was as if she could read into his deepest thoughts, and it made him even more anxious than before. "…Why are you talking about these things, Kagome?"

"Well, haven't you ever been curious?

He turned to hide the heat rising in his cheeks. "I...couldn't say."

"I know I was born in the modern era, but my parents had a very traditional Japanese wedding. It was small, but it was massive in wonder-well, from what I could tell of the pictures. My mom had a beautiful kimono of about a hundred layers and my father looked so handsome in his. I always told myself that I would have a wedding just like that: small, traditional, yet filled with magic."

"I'm sure you've never imagined a hanyou in any of your visions, have you?" he quipped more so to himself, once again letting his insecurities spill in front of her.

She smiled. "No, but I couldn't imagine anyone more suited for the role-especially with picturing you in a black kimono."

But he didn't find anything amusing. "Think about what you're saying, Kagome. We mate differently than humans, and many of 'em don't take so kindly to one of their own marrying someone like me."

"Please, don't sound so fatalistic," she sighed, secretly ecstatic about where their conversation was heading. "You act as if I've ever cared with others thought. You have the approval of your friends...and of me...and I'm pretty sure that's all that matters."

He grabbed her hand. "So if I were to ask you right now, point blank, would you ever want to marry me, you would just say yes-without any forethought or any doubt? Be serious Kagome."

"I am. And yes, I would. You know how much I'd want this..." she was surprised at how even she could hear the pleading truth in her words. "But what about you? Would you ever consider me...as a mate?"

He cuffed a palm to her cheek, allowing his thumb to graze her skin softly. "We were destined to meet each other, Kagome. And I wouldn't want anyone else by my side but you. I never considered having a life with someone as an option, but if you'll have me-"

"That's not even a question," and she placed a hand on top of his, letting all of her love for him shine through her chocolate eyes.

And Inuyasha felt that warmth pierce into his very soul.

"Kagome..." he breathed deeply and pulled her closer. "Are you saying yes?"

"Do you want me to say no?"

"I want whatever'll make you safe…and happy."

"And I want you. So can we compromise here?"

"I suppose…if you're serious about this."

"Ugh, I am!" and she forced her hands on his lap, leaning closer to him with a strong resolve, unmoving from her decision. Inuyasha felt his defense weaken, and sighing, he let his forehead press against hers. "I guess I have no choice then but to give you what you want."

"It works for you, too, you know. You'll also get what you want by marrying me…right?"

He trailed both hands to the back of her neck now, and stared hard into her eyes that reflected his own. "I'll get what I need… You here, Kagome, with me," and without warning he meshed his lips eagerly into hers and kissed deeper when she graciously accepted. Claws entangled themselves into the waves of her raven hair, and mouths opened wider with each passing second. But the kiss was short lived when Kagome tugged at the heaps of his haori and pulled away. Inuyasha opened his eyes to find deep reds painted all across her cheeks. He had to smirk...it was cute.

"Actually..." she gasped, trying to retain the rest of her oxygen. "I always imagined my wedding night to be the night where I...um..."

Inuyasha raised a brow as he quickly caught on. "Kagome...we're in a tree."

She bit her lip in further embarrassment as she looked down. "Oh...is that so..."

She squeeked as he pulled her into his arms in a flash and pressed her slender form deep into his chest. He rested his chin on top of her head and smiled. "Idiot."

"Mou...I can feel you laughing at me."

"Cuz it's funny."

"Jerk," she spat, but found herself nuzzling her head against his chest afterwards, making Inuyasha sigh contently in return.

You don't know what you're getting yourself into, Kagome... he thought as he left a chaste kiss on her forehead, but I promise…as my mate I will die making you happy.

A/N: Ahhh...writing these are just so much fun! I love it! And I hoped you loved it, too! Next up...the wedding night ;) Thanks so much to those of you that reviewed/added this story before! And future thanks to those that'll keep on reading!

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