"Is it safe?" asked Sango as she walked out of a cabin. They had finally been able to get all the villagers into one place.

"It looks like the fight has stopped" said Miroku thoughtfully.

"What's wrong?" asked Sango walking up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"When I left them Inuyasha had been thanking Sesshomaru. I don't know how it could have fired there tempers up. Especially so quickly." he said.

"First of all their brothers." said Sango. "Secondly they've never gotten along."

Miroku chuckled. "Yeah I guess your right." he said unwrapping her arms and bringing her around so she was beside him.

"I just wish they would have gone some where else to try to kill each other" said Sango looking at the deserted broken down street.

"Sango?" asked Miroku.

"Yes" she said turning to look at him.

"May I have the pleasure of ... dating you as Kagome calls it?" asked Miroku feeling awkward at using such a foreign word.

"You mean being a couple?" asked Sango.

"Yes"

"You mean me and you?" she asked starting to tease him.

"Yes" he said crossing his fingers that she wouldn't say no.

"Hmm...I think I could deal with that" she said wrapping her arms around Miroku's neck.

"You could, could you?" said Miroku entranced by Sango's incredible beauty.

"Yes, yes I could" she said bringing her face close to his.

"That... would be wonderful" he breathed out in a whisper before his lips hooked hers in the best kiss Miroku had every had in his entire life. And on top of that it was with the woman that he loved. He wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her closer to him deepening the kiss. Sango pulled away and rested her head on Miroku's chest.

"Miroku?"

"Yes Sango"

"I think I love you" she said looking up into his eyes.

"I think I love you too." he replied leaning in for another kiss.

"Kagome? Can I talk to you?" asked Inuyasha.

"Yeah, of course" said Kagome

"Well you've been through a lot this past week, or however long it's been. I've lost track of the days" he said "You were marked by Naraku" he said looking at the ground "and thrown into this whole cycle of ' belonging ' to someone" he felt very awkward. "Once you're thrown into the cycle there's no leaving it." he said "Hopefully Sesshomaru explained it all to you, but knowing him he probably didn't."

"No, he didn't" said Kagome.

"Well I thing I explained most of it to you before, but there was some parts I left out."

"What was that?" asked Kagome confused at what he was referring to.

"When your mate loses the battle" Inuyasha felt very awkward using the term ' mate '. "You must be marked in 48 hours, or you lose your life."

"I see" said Kagome a sudden fear rising in the pit of her stomach.

"Kagome I..." he took a step forward then stopped.

"What?" asked Kagome anticipating what it was he was going to say.

"I could mark you" he said shyly. "You would technically be ' mine' " again he felt awkward. "But you could do whatever you wanted" he said quickly looking up. "You just couldn't marry anyone" he said.

"Inuyasha obviously you didn't hear me" said Kagome putting on an aggregated face. She watched as the look of rejection washed over his face. Her face lightened and she smiled. "I said I love you. You're the only one I want to be with" she said emotions welling up inside of her.

"Really?" said Inuyasha walking up to her.

"Yes, but the question is how do you feel about me?" asked Kagome. She had put herself out there. She had let out all she felt now it was Inuyasha's turn.

"I love you" he said without hesitation as he took her into his arms. "I have for a very long time." he said.

Kagome let out a silent sigh of relief. Before she had time to think Inuyasha locked her lips in a kiss that blew her away. It was nothing like there first kiss. This one was full of passion. Kagome had to pull away and gasp for breath.

"I love you so much Kagome" whispered Inuyasha as he lightly kissed her.

"I love you to" she said kissing him back.

Inuyasha pulled away slightly, and kissed her neck. He gently moved her hair back to expose the soft skin. "Are you sure?" he asked again.

"Yes" said Kagome confidently.

Inuyasha began to whisper the ritual words and this time Kagome heard them.

"For love and trust and truth divine I bind this woman's soul to mine."

Kagome felt the tiny prick as Inuyasha's fangs pierced her skin, but it didn't hurt. A warming sensation filled her entire body.

"Are you o.k.?" asked Inuyasha after he pulled away.

Kagome nodded. Her eyes began to feel heavy. Kagome leaned in and kissed Inuyasha. She pulled away and rested her head on Inuyasha's chest. Her sight went black as she fell into a peaceful sleep wrapped in Inuyasha's arms.