He was lonely.

Every three days, the inu hanyo came back to the well. The same well where four years before, she had fallen through, thanks to that stupid centipede demon, and released him from the spell that Kikiyo's arrow had placed on him. That same well where he had gone to her time, and protected her from demons, and met the people who loved her, not just her mother and brother and grandfather, but her girl friends, who had called him "cute", and said that she was being too hard on him. He still chuckled to himself over that memory.

That same well where three years ago, they had come back to her time, and then he had been pulled back to the Feudal Era. When he was out of the well after being pulled back to his time, he told Miroku and Sango that she was safe…and when they had let him be, he tried so desperately to get the well to work again, to connect with that link to her again. Nothing had worked. He had tried to cut through time with Tetsusaiga, he had tried clawing through the well with his Iron Reaver attack, he had tried begging and pleading with the gods, and nothing worked. Not even when he broke down and shed tears in the well, away from the others, so they wouldn't see.

Nothing had worked. Inuyasha was still separated from Kagome by five hundred years of time. And every day, the loneliness became harder to bear. However, he knew that no other woman could ever come close to Kagome. Even before Kikiyo's death left him heartbroken, he had chosen Kagome. How could he not? Kagome, the woman who taught him to smile, who taught him what it felt like to be at peace with another person, who taught him to trust because she gave him her trust without reservation – this woman, his sweet Kagome, how could he not choose her? She was his very life and soul, even if he never had told her so. Before, his insecurities with being a mere half-demon, and having been unwelcome in the demon world and human world alike, plagued him. Even Kikiyo, who had loved him, had not welcomed the demon half of him, and instead wanted him to use the Shikon no Tama to become fully human. But Kagome, no, it wasn't that way with Kagome. She had told him repeatedly that she liked him the way he was, even going so far as to risk her own life to embrace him when he had been in full yokai form and tell him that she loved him as a half-demon when they were fighting Kaguya in that wretched castle. And now? Now Inuyasha would give anything, anything, to have Kagome before him, so he could tell her just how he loved her, that she was as necessary to him as the air he breathed. But she was beyond his reach.

Yet, life went on. Miroku and Sango had married, and immediately set about producing the brood of children both had wanted. With twin girls and a newborn boy, their home was filling up quickly. Kohaku, Sango's brother, was training to become a demon slayer. Shippo was training to be a full fox demon. Inuyasha's half-brother Sesshomaru had acceded to Kaede's request that he leave Rin in the village with her so that Rin could learn how to live among humans and decide for herself whether she wanted to remain in the village, or return to Sesshomaru. At the memory of that, Inuyasha snorted. He had been truly surprised when the old miko had gone toe to toe with Sesshomaru, in her quiet way, and Sesshomaru had given in. Inuyasha would never have given in to someone's request to leave his Kagome behind while he traveled. But, he had to admit, Kaede was right, Rin needed to be able to make the choice herself, and needed to learn things that only other human women could teach her, stuff that Kagome and Sango and Kaede had talked about when they thought that none of the men were around, but he had overheard with his sensitive hearing, and it had made him blush the same color as his Robe of the Fire Rat. Not like Sesshomaru was going to be able to do that, but it did make Inuyasha laugh to think about him trying to explain what Kagome had called "the facts of life" to Rin.

Inuyasha lived his life in solitude, helping Miroku exorcise various demons in neighboring villages, although Miroku liked to con the villagers out of more than his sutras and exorcisms were truly worth. He slept in the open, preferring to be able to watch over his friends. He shared meals with Sango and Miroku and the children, and he was far fonder of the twins than he ever let on, even if they did like to tug at his sensitive ears. Every time he saw the little girls, however, he felt a deep ache, wondering what his and Kagome's children would have looked like, and if they would have had his ears, or her beautiful eyes. He longed to have that life, and hear Kagome singing the same lullaby to their children that his mother had sung to him. And it certainly didn't help that Sango and Miroku had named the girls Sayuri…and Kagome. Sango had insisted, when the girls were born, that she would honor her sister, and Miroku had agreed, saying that it would be an honor for his daughter to be named after their beloved Kagome. When Inuyasha had heard this, at first he was angry, and had to restrain himself from snarling that they were acting like Kagome was dead, when he knew she was fine, she was safe, with the other people in her life who loved her as much as they did. However, having caught the look on Sango's face when she had told Inuyasha her new daughters' names, he knew that Sango and Miroku grieved for Kagome, even knowing she was still alive, and this was their way of keeping her with them. Still, every now and then, even though the girls were two years old now, he caught himself with the feeling of tears at the backs of his eyes when he heard Sango or Miroku calling for their children, and one of them inevitably called for their Kagome.

Every three days, he returned to the Bone Eater's Well, hoping to catch that familiar scent that seemed to envelope him in peace and contentment when she had been near. He still hoped, although it was beginning to fade, that she could find a way back to him, or he to her. Yet still, he had hope that someday, she would find a way to return to him.

One fine summer day, while he was entertaining the twins and Shippo was snickering about how the girls kept playing with his ears, he picked up a faint whiff of something familiar. Could it be? The wind danced gently, and that scent – it was now stronger! Inuyasha grabbed the little girls by their kimonos, and gently tossed them onto the unsuspecting kitsune, and raced for the well. The closer he got to that old well, the stronger that sweet, tantalizing scent grew. Inuyasha's heart was pounding, as much out of fear that it was just his imagination as from the exertion of racing for the well, and anticipation of seeing his sweet, lovely Kagome again, of having her back in his arms where she belonged, of being able to tell her how much he truly loved her. With his heart in his throat, he leaned over the side of the well, peering into the darkness, and reaching out his hand in faith. Almost as soon as his hand was in the well, a familiar hand grasped his. Truthfully, he nearly dropped her hand from the shock. It was her! That scent, it was Kagome! Inuyasha pulled her up and out of the well.

"Inuyasha! I'm so sorry. Have you been waiting here for me?"

Inuyasha was overcome. How could she think that their separation was her fault? His voice nearly breaking, he pulled her into his arms, still only half-believing that this was really happening - that Kagome was there. "You idiot, what have you been doing all this time?"

Almost immediately, the rest of their friends caught up to them. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were all stunned. Kagome was back! They all instinctively knew that if Kagome was back, she was back for good, never to return to her time again. And each of them were overjoyed that she had returned to them. Truly, Sango and Miroku thought of Kagome as the precious sister they had never had. And Shippo, he had been heartbroken that the young woman he had viewed as a mother had disappeared after the defeat of Naraku and the disappearance of that wretched Shikon no Tama. Any plans that they had made for that afternoon were immediately discarded, and all were determined to welcome Kagome back properly. Miroku didn't even try to grope her, but then these days, he was a content married man, who loved his wife deeply. Kagome was filled with happiness over her friends' contentment, and she and the children were immediately smitten with one another. Indeed, when Sango told her that the girls were named Sayuri and Kagome, she had been overcome with emotion, knowing that her friends had never wanted to forget her. She had embraced Sango with such joy, and the two women were instantly shedding tears with such intensity that Miroku was distressed, and Inuyasha was ready to start yelling, until he figured out that the tears the two women shared were from joy they could not contain. The little kitsune clung to his adoptive mother, not wanting to let her out of his sight for an instant. They all returned to the village, with Inuyasha holding tightly to Kagome's free hand. He vowed to himself that as soon as there was a lull, he was going to take Kagome to the goshinboku, and say all those things that he had not said to her before she seemed to be pulled away from him forever.

When the party got to the village, Shippo finally let go of Kagome long enough to race to Kaede's home. "Lady Kaede! LADY KAEDE! Rin! Kagome has returned!" he shouted with glee. When Kaede heard this, she smiled to herself, thinking, "Well, all things in due time, I suppose. I was afraid that Inuyasha would have to suffer a lonely fate. But our Kagome is a special girl. Indeed, she is more than simply the reincarnation of my sister. Her spirit was strong enough to find a way back to Inuyasha. I do wonder, however, how Inuyasha will manage to behave himself long enough for everyone to celebrate her return?"

Over the next several hours, there was much talking, laughter, and eating. Kagome spent much of her time with Shippo on her shoulder, and the girls in her lap…when they weren't busy climbing Inuyasha like their personal jungle gym. When she had the chance to hold the baby, Akira, who had been fussing throughout the day, assuring Sango that it was okay if he was crying, she still wanted to be properly introduced, he immediately snuggled deeper into Kagome's arms, gave her a sweet smile, and fell asleep. Throughout all this, Inuyasha was overcome with the thought that Kagome might someday be holding their baby the same way, or giggling over the antics of their children. If he had had any doubts about what kind of a mother she would be, or whether she would be willing to bear children, they had dissipated like morning dew in the sunlight. The longer everyone wanted to be around Kagome, however, the more impatient Inuyasha became. Couldn't they understand that he needed to be with her, to talk to her, to touch her to assure himself that this wasn't a dream, and she was really there, with him?

Finally, he had had enough. He removed the sleeping baby from Kagome's arms, handing him back to his mother, and Akira immediately protested this loudly, causing both Kagome and Sango much consternation. Inuyasha then grabbed Kagome, throwing her over his shoulder, and she immediately protested. "Inuyasha! Put me down!" The twins giggled over Inuyasha-oji handling their new oba-san as if she were a child like them.

"No!"

"Inuyasha!" She had that warning tone that he knew all too well, the one she used when she was going to give the command and use those damn enchanted beads to make him sit.

"Kagome, I do believe that Inuyasha wants to have time alone with you. Sango, Miroku, Shippo, ye need to take your leave," said Kaede, with a knowing smile. Sango returned that smile, and said, "Lady Kaede is right. Come on, monk, we should get our children to bed. Shippo, you're coming with us. Kagome will still be here in the morning, and you can see her then." Shippo was not a happy little fox demon, but he agreed to go home with Sango and Miroku and the children after Kagome promised especially to spend time with him the next day.

Kagome was still fuming a bit when Inuyasha got to the goshinboku, and leapt from branch to branch until he reached his favorite. "Why did you do that, Inuyasha," she asked, slightly irritated. "I really missed everyone, and I was enjoying catching up! Besides, Akira was sleeping peacefully until you woke him up!"

"Kagome, Kaede was right. I wanted time alone with you. I want to talk to you, and touch you. I haven't gotten over the surprise that you're really here! This all seems too much like a dream, and I'm afraid that I'll wake up, and you'll be gone again."

Her expression softened. "Inuyasha…" Gods. It was that same sweet tone she used when she saw him in human form for the first time. When he'd lain in her lap, and was overcome by her sweet scent and her gentle hands had stroked his hair. Just thinking about that night was enough to fill him with love for her.

Kagome was just as terrified as Inuyasha. She had managed to come back to him through that old well, and was shocked that he had been waiting for her. She had whispered to him, "How did you know, Inuyasha?" as tears welled in her beautiful molten chocolate eyes. He had enough time to whisper back, "Your scent, Kagome. I smelled your scent," and give her a quick, soft kiss before they had been overrun with their friends.

She could hardly believe she was back. She had spent the last three years in high school, working hard to graduate with high marks…and yearning for Inuyasha. Her friends Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi had tried to set her up on dates with other guys, and she had simply refused to go. They had chided her, "Kagome, that boyfriend of yours doesn't even come to visit you anymore! You need to move on! Get some closure already, and go out with someone else! Why don't you date Hojo, he's had a crush on you for years!" They couldn't understand that she just couldn't bring herself to date someone else. How could she go out, and act like everything was fine when every day that she couldn't go through the well, her heart broke a little more? Her heart belonged to Inuyasha, even separated by five hundred years of time, and just because she couldn't go through the old Bone Eater's Well didn't mean she didn't still love him with her whole being. Three years of school, home, shopping and cleaning with Mom, listening to Gramps tell stories of Higurashi family lore, helping Sota with his schoolwork and his love life. Three years of unabated yearning, and deep, crushing loneliness, that Kagome had thought would turn into a lifetime.

While Kagome was still innocent, she was not stupid. She blushed at the thought of finally, after all this time, being alone with Inuyasha. She had seen him, while they were in Kaede's home, watching her with Sango and Miroku's children, and deep down, she knew that he was seeing her with their children. The thought made her blush again, knowing what was involved in getting to that point. While Kagome had some assurance that Inuyasha saw her as a desirable woman, she fervently hoped that should they have the opportunity, she would not disappoint him with her lack of experience.

Inuyasha watched the conflicting emotions cross Kagome's face in an instant. He had always been able to see her feelings, because she never was able to hide them well. He had known when he'd broken her heart when he'd seen Kikiyo. He had known when she was hurt or angry over a thoughtless remark he'd made. He'd known when she was grieving for Kikiyo, even though she thought he hadn't noticed. Kagome's beautiful rich brown eyes told him everything about her emotional state, and it didn't help her disguise them when she blushed as he looked at her. Gods, she was beautiful! And she loved him for who and what he was, and didn't want him to change just for her, unlike Kikiyo, who had wanted him to become human and give up the demon half of himself.

Inuyasha took a deep breath. "Kagome, I….I wanted to have time to talk to you alone. Before you were sealed on the other side of the well, there never seemed to be time, in between battling Naraku, or searching for jewel shards, or interference from the monk, or that damn Koga." The last words came out in a growl. He'd had more arguments with Kagome over that stupid scrawny wolf demon than he cared to remember, but he knew they were his fault, because Kagome had been as kind to Koga as she was to everyone, and it wasn't her fault that Koga had declared she was his woman. Still, Inuyasha wasn't going to admit that to anyone, and he knew damn well Kagome had mischievously encouraged Koga's affections once or twice just to annoy him.

He took another breath, and Kagome waited for his next words. "Kagome, I told you once that before you, I never trusted another living soul. Not even Kikiyo. "

He winced as the slight flash of hurt crossed her face at the mention of Kikiyo's name, not because he was afraid she'd yell at him to sit and knock him out of the tree, but because of all the conflict they'd had where Kikiyo was concerned. When she didn't say anything, he realized that she was holding her breath, waiting for him to continue. "Hey, you need to breathe, stupid! Don't hold your breath; I'm not gonna say anything bad!"

Kagome smiled at that. There he was -her impatient, impulsive, and abrasive hanyo. "Okay, Inuyasha. I'm breathing. Happy?"

Inuyasha hmphed at that. "Hey, I'm just tryin' to look out for you. Kagome, I brought you to the sacred tree so I could tell you what I've spent three years longing to say. Kagome, I was so lonely without you. I missed your scent, your touch, your quick laugh, and even those damn skimpy skirts you wore." Kagome bit back a laugh at the last part. She remembered the argument they had over her school uniform, and how he had yelled that the uniform barely covered her butt, and she had no business parading around in front of all of the village in that damn thing…and how she had yelled back that the last time she had worn the clothing of a miko, he had snarled at her to put her old clothes back on, so what was she supposed to do? Like every single other argument they had, it ended with him snapping out a comment about how she could do whatever the hell she wanted, and her screaming at him to sit, and eventually the two of them making up.

Inuyasha continued. "Finally, now that Naraku is gone, and Koga is married-"

"Oh, Koga and Ayame got married? Oh, how sweet!"

Inuyasha grew impatient. "Kagome! Are ya gonna let me finish a damn sentence!"

Kagome bit back another laugh. "Okay, Inuyasha. I'm sorry!"

Inuyasha gave her the pleasure of an eye roll, and continued. "Kagome, there's no threat. There's no one who would use you to hurt me anymore. Kagome…." Here, he faltered only slightly, wanting to be sure to say the right words, "I love you. Until now, I never felt like I could say it out loud, because if someone found out that I loved you, they could hurt you to get to me. I never, ever wanted to see you hurt because of me-"

He stopped short. Damn it, she was starting to shed tears again! What had he said this time? "Kagome, I'm sorry!"

"Oh, Inuyasha, I'm not crying because I'm sad!" Kagome reached for Inuyasha's hands. "Inuyasha, you know I love you. I have loved you since you swore to protect me. When you trusted me to see your human form during the new moon, I fell in love with you. I never thought I'd hear you say that to me. You've said it before, in different ways, but I never thought I'd hear you say the actual words themselves. I'm happy that you love me, and you're no longer afraid to say it."

Inuyasha took back one of his hands, and used his thumb to gently wipe away Kagome's sweet tears of happiness. With that sweet gesture from the man she had loved for nearly four years, Kagome found herself yearning for more.

Inuyasha gently cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her. Both the hanyo and the girl from the future were shaken to the core by the sweetness and depth of love in their kiss. When they broke apart, Inuyasha knew that it was the right time. Plucking up his courage, he forged ahead. "Kagome, I want to live with you, forever. I want you by my side for the rest of our lives. I want to share a home with you, and someday our children. Will you be my wife? Will you bear our children?"

Kagome's eyes widened. Oh, gods, here were the words she had longed to hear for the last three years! She found herself suddenly unable to speak. Instantly, Inuyasha suspected the worst - she was simply searching for a way to let him down easily.

"Inuyasha, I-"

"Just tell me no already," he snarled, afraid of what would happen if she did.

Irritation crossed her face. "Inuyasha! Don't make me say that word!"

"Hmph," was the best he could come up with.

"Inuyasha, I was able to come back through the well because the thought of life without you was unbearable. I wanted to be with you. I was always with you by choice, Inuyasha. I can't imagine anything I want more than to be your wife, and bear your children. I came back to have a life with you, Inuyasha." She looked at him then, with those sweet brown eyes filled with love for him.

It was Inuyasha's turn to be speechless. She had said yes! His Kagome, the gentle miko from the future, who had risked her very life to stay with him during their battles, wanted to spend her life with him. Without saying another word, Inuyasha gathered Kagome into his arms, and leapt out of the tree. He raced towards that sweet secluded spot; the one Miroku had taken Sango to that only they knew about. Or, at least that's what Sango thought. Inuyasha knew about it because Miroku couldn't resist indulging in some bragging about their activities in the meadow, out of earshot of his lovely bride who was still able to wield her Hiraikotsu and bash some sense into her husband. Just because he was happily married, Inuyasha thought, some things never changed with Miroku.

"Inuyasha, where are we going?"

"Almost…there…." Here it was! He gently set her down, and removed his hitoe, laying it down in the grass. "Here, Kagome, lie back and watch the stars with me."

Kagome's heart was pounding. She was finally alone with Inuyasha, and he had brought her to this beautiful clearing. She lay down next to him and curled herself into his side, clutching his hand that was resting on his chest. She barely noticed the stars, she was too busy breathing in his masculine scent, and feeling his arm pull her into a tighter embrace. Oh, how she had longed for a moment like this, to lie in Inuyasha's embrace, to be able to stroke his fine silver hair, and see his handsome face. In the three years since they were forcibly parted, she had dreamed of a moment like this, only to see it fade away when her alarm clock started ringing. Abruptly, Kagome sat up, and pinched herself.

An irritated Inuyasha asked, "Kagome, what the hell did you do that for?"

She smiled at the arrogant, annoyed hanyo. "I wanted to assure myself this wasn't a dream. I've had too many of those, where I dreamed of you, and then my alarm clock rang and woke me up. "

Inuyasha pulled himself to a sitting position, held her gaze, and quietly said, "I dreamed of you, too, Kagome."

Kagome's breath caught in her throat. He had dreamed of her?

Inuyasha caught her wrist. He could feel her pulse quicken, and he had a brief moment of triumph at the notion that he could cause that reaction in her, just by admitting that he had dreamed of her. He, like Kagome, had dreamed of being able to hold her in his arms, to feel her soft hands touch his roughened ones, to feel her stroke his hair, and to be able to run his fingers through hers, and bury his face in that sweet-smelling curtain of silk. His amber eyes deepened in color as he thought of the direction that some of his dreams had taken, dreams that had taken his breath away, and left him aching with desire when he awoke.

"I dreamed of what might happen if you came back to me. Just like now, I had you in my arms, and could just take all the time I wanted to look at you." He gave her a quick kiss, and breathed in the sweet scent of Kagome. He was rewarded with a softly whispered, "Inuyasha."

"I dreamed of being able to watch what you're thinking go right across your face once again."

This time, he took her hand in both of his, and brought it to rest at his heart. He began to stroke her hair, and watched her eyes, those portals to her innermost thoughts, register surprise, and overflowing love…and a glimmer of desire.

He smirked slightly, and continued. "I dreamed of being able to have enough time to kiss you, and touch you...and make you mine."

Kagome's breath caught, and her heart was pounding. "Inuyasha, I've never-"

"Kagome, I haven't, either." And he'd never wanted to, until Kagome. Not even Kikiyo had stirred those feelings within him.

"But, Inuyasha-"

She hesitated. She was so afraid she would disappoint him. And yet, she had a moment of feeling smug that he had chosen to wait for her, to explore their mutual desire together. That she was the one who caused him to yearn for a passionate embrace.

Inuyasha caught her fear. How could he not? He had fears of his own when it came to loving Kagome. First of all, it wasn't like he was experienced. Hell, he'd had a few chaste kisses with Kikiyo, and two sweet kisses with Kagome. He wasn't Miroku, who until Sango had been willing to bed any pretty woman who crossed his path.

Secondly, he was all too well aware of his demon side. He knew the kind of damage he could inflict in full yokai form. He'd seen the aftermath, and while he knew Kagome could bring him back from the brink…he still had fears that in the midst of loving her, his desire would push him over the edge, and he would hurt her. Inuyasha would rather rip off his own arm than hurt Kagome. He'd sworn to protect her with his life. Still, he was willing to take the chance, because he wanted nothing more than to give her ultimate pleasure through his touch, and to worship her body with his own.

However, he still thought her fears mirrored his own. "Kagome, I will never hurt you. Never! I swear to you that I won't let the demon blood hurt you."

"I-Inuyasha, it's not that."

He stared at her, at a loss. "What do you mean, it's not that? You know what can happen when I'm in demon form! Did you get a head injury climbing out of that damn well?"

Heaving an exasperated sigh, Kagome glared at him. Inuyasha felt that prickling foreboding that usually proceeded Kagome yelling "SIT!" and him eating dirt…again.

"Inuyasha! Will you let me finish a sentence? I'm trying to say this and you keep trying to tell me what I'm really thinking!"

For once, Inuyasha decided that perhaps discretion was the better part of valor, and wisely kept his mouth shut.

Kagome felt the blush start somewhere in the vicinity of her toes, and work its way up to her face. She took a deep breath, and picked up where she had left off.

"Inuyasha, I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid you'll hurt me. Even when you came after me as a full demon, I've never been afraid of you."

This took him by surprise. He knew he'd gone after her in full yokai form, and it disgusted him that he had been so out of control that he'd been willing to use his claws on the woman he loved.

She continued. "Inuyasha…I'm so afraid I'll disappoint you. I mean, it's not like I don't know what happens, but I've never actually, well, you know…" Kagome's face turned as red as Inuyasha's hitoe.

Inuyasha rocked back on his heels, stunned. She was afraid she'd disappoint him with her inexperience? What the hell was wrong with her? Didn't she know that he didn't care, and just wanted to make her happy?

Kagome grew more uncomfortable with this speechless Inuyasha. However, having had experience with a snarling hanyo, she wasn't going to start talking until he did.

"Ka-"He felt his throat going dry. "Kagome, how could you even think that you'd disappoint me? I told you before; I need you here with me. Don't you think that maybe, well, maybe we can learn together?"

Now it was Kagome's turn to go limp and rock back on her heels…and Inuyasha's turn to blush.

"You…you won't laugh at me?"

"Why would I do that? It's not like I know any more than you do!"

"But, hasn't Miroku done some boasting to you?"

Inuyasha sighed deeply. Damn that perverted monk! "Yeah, but, you know, it's not like I want to hear it! I might want to be able to look Sango in the eye again sometime."

Inside herself, Kagome laughed. Considering Miroku's ways before he had married Sango, she wasn't surprised that the monk would choose to indulge in some boasting to Inuyasha, and that Inuyasha had been willing to cut him off so he wouldn't have to think of Sango in that way.

"So, you promise you won't call me a klutz, and laugh at me?"

Inuyasha had had enough of this questioning. He sat back, pulling Kagome into his arms and settling her across his lap. He wrapped his fingers in her hair, and began to kiss her. Lightly at first, while stroking her hair, and then he kissed her with more intensity. He nipped at her full bottom lip, teasing it with his tongue. Kagome responded with a small gasp, allowing Inuyasha to deepen the kiss, and taste her.

If he had thought her scent was blissful, her taste nearly sent him over the edge. Like honey fresh from a beehive, she tasted warm, and richly sweet. She responded by tentatively tasting him as well, using her lips to nibble his upper lip, and her tongue to test the texture of his fangs. Inuyasha's body began to respond to her innocent exploration with renewed desire.

Kagome's hands began to clutch at Inuyasha's kosode. She wanted to touch his warm skin. She had wanted to run her hands over his chest for a reason other than changing bandages over wounds he'd earned in battle for a long time, but had never had the opportunity. She spread his kosode open, tentatively at first, and then as Inuyasha uttered a throaty growl, greedily. Kagome ran her hands over his flesh, stopping just over his heart.

Inuyasha decided to take matters into his own hands. Never being one to be patient, he simply used his claws to shred her blouse. He'd never been able to figure out how to work those damn things she called "buttons", and besides, his claws got in the way anyway. Kagome gasped at the sudden feel of cool air against her tender skin.

"Inuyasha!"

His throaty growl turned into a purring laugh. "Hey, it's not like I won't cover you up with my robe." And he silenced her protestations with another kiss.

Inuyasha let his hands wander freely over Kagome's soft skin. He paused at the piece of clothing he'd heard her call a "bra", and once again, employed claws. Her breasts sprang free from the flimsy material, and he gently cupped the left one in his hand, using the pad of his thumb to caress the tip that was growing harder under his touch. He was rewarded with a small moan against his mouth, and a restless shifting of her body against his.

At that moment, he chose to lean her back slightly, so he could look at her. He'd seen her naked before, but not on purpose. Unlike that damn monk, he'd never tried to sneak up on Sango and Kagome when they'd found a hot spring and the girls wanted to bathe. While he'd been on the receiving end of a very embarrassed Kagome's rage, he'd spent most of his time trying to pull Miroku away from the girls, mostly so Sango wouldn't actually kill him.

Kagome tried to read the look on Inuyasha's face as he gazed at her, taking in every inch of her from her hair to her waist. "Inu- Inuyasha?" she gasped out, questioningly.

Inuyasha's response was to change which arm he was using to support her, gently cup her right breast in his hand, and lower his head to taste the skin of her neck. He gently nipped her, savoring the taste of her skin as her heady scent, which had changed as her desire for him increased, enveloped him. This time, Kagome moaned with pleasure as Inuyasha trailed nibbling kisses down her neck, and onto her left breast. He paused for a moment, savoring the fact that he was going to indulge in the act of love for the first time with his Kagome. He thought he couldn't love her any more than he already did, but to his surprise, as their exploration of each other continued, his love for her grew. While his face was hidden from view, he took one hard nipple into his mouth, and suckled gently. When she gasped aloud, he gave a hidden smug smile, continuing to suckle gently on one nipple, and then moving to the other.

Kagome's senses were overwhelmed. Her hands had continued to gently stroke his chest, but when he'd begun caressing her breasts, all she could do was grasp his kosode and hang on as he tasted her skin, and explored her body. She was overwhelmed by the aura of love mixed with desire that emanated from Inuyasha. Her mind was focused on acknowledging that Inuyasha, the man she had so desperately loved since he had sworn to protect her, her beloved hanyo, was treasuring her increased desire, and encouraging her with his own need for her.

Finally, Kagome could no longer stand to allow Inuyasha to continue to explore her body without matching his ardor. She shifted her position, and leaned forward. Inuyasha's face registered surprise as she began to push his kosode off his shoulders with trembling hands.

"Ka-"His voice faltered. "Kagome?"

Kagome responded by gently kissing him, and matching his exploration of her with one of her own. As Inuyasha had done to her, she leaned forward and nipped his neck. He answered this with a throaty groan. She trailed down his neck with fluttering kisses, pushing his kosode off his body, leaving him as exposed as she was. She began allowing her hands to wander down his chest, and abdomen, faltering when they reached the obi of his hakama. She ached to untie his obi, and touch what lay underneath his hakama.

He grasped her hands within his own. "Inuyasha…I want…" she trailed off, unsure how to make her request.

"Kagome."He breathed her name.

He helped her to untie his obi, and leaned back so she could remove his hakama. To cover his sudden surprise that she wanted to explore further, he gave her an arrogant smirk borne of pure bravado, and said, "I'm not gonna be the only one naked here in a minute, I can promise you that." He then took her hand, and placed it on his manhood, which had grown even harder under the gentle touch of her hand. Kagome began to run her hand down the length of him, tentatively at first, and then with more confidence as her ministrations were rewarded by Inuyasha arching his hips so he met her touch, and uttering a throaty growl. She began to stroke the tip with the pad of her thumb, fascinated by the way his manhood seemed to stretch forward for her touch.

Inuyasha couldn't think any longer. All he knew was that that damn skimpy skirt, and the strange under clothes she called "panties" were getting in the way of him being able to explore her femininity. And that if she kept touching him that way, he was going to lose control quickly. Not that he was keeping much of it, watching her desire grow to match his. Using his claws, he solved the problem of the skirt.

"Inuyasha, don't you DARE use claws on my panties! I need something to wear underneath your hitoe!"

He chuckled, and smirked, saying, "Then you need to do something about those things, then, because they need to go."

Kagome met his smirk with a playful smile of her own. "Why don't you do something about them that doesn't involve shredding them?"

Within what seemed like milliseconds of issuing that challenge, Inuyasha had her flat on her back, tugging on the offending article of clothing. More by pure luck, he managed to pull it off her hips without tearing the thing to pieces.

Kagome gasped loudly. "Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha was too busy taking in this new aspect of Kagome's scent. Along with the usual faintly floral feminine scent she exuded, there was a new spice added. As he ran his hand down her flat stomach, pausing at the dark curls at the juncture of her thighs, this new spicy scent spiked in intensity. This only fueled his need to touch her feminine flesh, to taste this new exotic scent that was the product of her need for him. Gently, he began to use his thumb to trace the petals of her womanly flesh, and marveled at the intense heat she produced, along with the wetness that was proof of her arousal.

Kagome's breath caught in her throat, and her hips instinctively arched as Inuyasha stroked her. He was enjoying her reaction immensely, enjoying driving her towards the edge of her climax. He found the small pearl in the midst of her folds, and was rewarded with a cry of pleasure from her. She rocked her hips faster in response to his touch, and when he slipped one finger inside her, she could only gasp out, "Inu- Inuyasha!" in response. Relentlessly, instinctively, he kept stroking her pearl while moving first one finger, and then two inside her warm, wet sheath. He felt her tighten around his fingers, with a rush of wetness, as she finally went over the edge, and succumbed to the climax that had been building within her. When she had stopped shaking, Inuyasha slid his fingers out of her, and began to taste her.

Kagome's fingers knotted themselves in his hair as Inuyasha began using his lips and tongue on her. She moaned as he unrelentingly tasted her, and breathed in the scent of her arousal. He brought his fingers back to her opening, and slid them back inside her while he flicked the tender bud of flesh with his tongue. He couldn't get enough of her taste, which reminded him of the heady scents of the incense Miroku sometimes burned at the shrine. While to Inuyasha, Miroku's incense was bitter, this scent was spicy, but with Kagome's inherent sweetness at its heart. This time, with his single-minded ministrations, Kagome arched her back, with her head lolling, and wailed his name.

When the little tremors inside her body stopped, and she was able to speak again, she whispered. "Inuyasha, I want – I want…."

She was unable to finish her thought, so she moved to show him what she wanted. As far as Kagome was concerned, it was her turn to provide Inuyasha with the pleasure he had given her. Putting a hand on his chest, she applied slight pressure until Inuyasha was reclining again. This time, she resumed her exploration of his manhood. He exhaled between clenched teeth as she slowly began stroking his shaft with her gentle hands, extending her touch to not just the tip, but also down to his testes. She gently cupped his testes in her hands, causing him to growl ever so slightly, and then moved up his shaft to stroke the tip of him with her thumb. As she lightly caressed the most sensitive part of him, he felt himself begin to release the fluid that he knew from Miroku would ease his way into the deepest part of Kagome. He also knew that if he didn't stop her, he would lose his mind. He longed to be inside her, moving with her, until they both collapsed from release.

Inuyasha removed Kagome's hands from himself. She looked at him in confusion, until he pulled her towards him, and once again settled her in his lap.

"Kagome, are you ready for me?" he asked her, softly, in a husky voice that betrayed his need for her.

Kagome was unable to speak. She knew that Inuyasha would never hurt her, but she was still nervous. But, she wanted to join with her beloved hanyo, and feel him inside her as they came together to assuage their mutual need for one another. Not trusting her voice not to falter, she rested her head against his chest and nodded assent.

Inuyasha cupped her face with his hands, and forced her to look at him. He wanted to be sure that this was what she wanted. He held his breath, and looked into her eyes, and asked her again. "Kagome. Are you ready for me?"

This time, Kagome was able to whisper to him. "Inuyasha…I, I'm ready."

"Kagome, don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. I promise."

Kagome immediately was not quite so sure of this. She knew, from the classes she and her friends had taken, the physiology of what was involved, and from her mother, that sometimes even with years of riding bikes, or the back of a certain half-demon, there was a barrier that would have to be broken the first time they came together. Her mother had sweetly, but matter-of-factually pointed out that while there would be pain, it would be fleeting. Kagome had become accustomed to pain during her time in the feudal era while they had hunted the jewel shards, but she knew that if there was pain involved when Inuyasha entered her, he would immediately stop and blame himself.

"Inuyasha, there's something you should know. I mean, about me." Oh, gods, there was the blush again. Was she really going to have to explain female anatomy to a two hundred year old half-demon?

"Kagome, do you mean that there's a, well, a barrier for you the first time?" Now it was Inuyasha's turn to blush again.

"How…how do you know that?" Kagome was completely mystified, and prepared to be really angry and utter the command that engaged the enchanted beads, and made him face plant.

"Uh, well….I didn't have anyone else to ask, so I asked Miroku." Damn it, would he ever stop blushing, he wondered?

Kagome was instantly suspicious. She knew that the monk might not be able to resist teasing his friend, and telling him information that was not exactly true. "What, exactly, did Miroku tell you, Inuyasha?" she asked in a tone that was less loving, and far more suspicious.

Inuyasha huffed with annoyance and embarrassment, having to explain what Miroku had said to Kagome. "Miroku said that for a woman's first time, um, uh, well…that some women have a barrier inside them, and that during that first time, a man has to break through the barrier, and that there might be some pain." When he finished that statement, he would have given anything to be able to shove his hands into his sleeves and turn inward…but that was much more difficult to do while naked. And damn it to Hell, he could feel his blush of embarrassment from the crown of his head on down!

Kagome was stunned. "Miroku told you that?!" she asked in utter disbelief.

"Uh, yeah…is that not true? Was that just a stupid story he told me, to get me to do something dumb? I'm gonna rip his head off!" Inuyasha growled, immediately jumping to anger, assuming that Miroku had told him some story in order to have a laugh at Inuyasha's expense.

To his astonishment, Kagome started to laugh. "Hey, what's so damn funny?" Inuyasha demanded to know, not sure whether to be insulted or relieved that she was laughing.

"Inuyasha…Miroku told you the truth. I didn't want to surprise you, and have you stop because I had a brief moment of pain, and have you blame yourself. There may be pain, but it's a natural part of this."

Inuyasha just stared at her. His Kagome, once again, was far more concerned with the feelings of others than herself. Even though she was laughing, he knew that underneath she was trying to reassure him that she wasn't afraid of any pain caused by their act of love. Her concern nearly undid him.

"Kagome…are you sure you're okay with that?" Inuyasha couldn't bring himself to hope that she really did mean it.

Kagome answered his question with a kiss…and by placing his hand on her breast. That was all the encouragement Inuyasha needed. He answered her kiss with deepening intensity, wrapping his other arm around her waist and pulling her close so he could fit his length against the opening to her feminine core. Soon, they were both out of breath, rocking their hips against each other, pushing each other to increase the pace as they grew slick with each others' desire. Inuyasha positioned himself so that he was poised at the opening of her femininity, and looked at Kagome, pleading with her without saying a word. Her beautiful brown eyes were pools of chocolate, and in them he saw love for him, and desire…and she whispered her assent.

Gently, even though he was dying to drive himself into her fully, he flexed forward, and began to enter her. Instantly, he was overcome by her slick, inviting heat, which taxed his already strained self-control. Sensing his hesitation, Kagome slowly lowered herself onto him until he was right at the barrier of her innocence.

"Kagome…." Inuyasha's hoarse whisper was a plea.

"Inuyasha. I'm ready." Kagome urged him forward with a small movement of her hips.

Inuyasha pushed forward, feeling her resistance give as she gave a small hiss of pain. Immediately, he stopped moving. "Kagome, are you all right?" His heart was in his throat at the thought of causing her pain.

"Inuyasha. Don't stop now. Just…don 't stop." Kagome rocked her hips into him again in response. At her invitation, he moved and entered into her fully.

Her reaction was instant. Her back arched, and she gripped him tightly. He was surrounded by her heat, her wetness, and her scent. He met her arch with a deep thrust of his own, and pulled her to him so he could bury his face in her hair. Her hands gripped his shoulders, her fingernails digging into him. They continued to move together, matching each other for intensity and passion. Tenderness began to give way to fervor.

Inuyasha knew that he was close to reaching his peak, and wanted Kagome to be there with him. He whispered in her ear, "Kagome, are you sure you trust me?"

"Inuyasha, of course I trust you."

That was all he needed. He leaned her back onto his hitoe, and then grasped both her wrists with one hand. As her beautiful eyes, filled with wanton desire, widened in surprise, he pinned her wrists to the ground. With a growl, he drove into her, and looked her in the eye…and said one single word.

"Mine."

Kagome's response was immediate. He hadn't thought her heat could increase, or that she could become more slick and inviting. Her response spurred him on, and he drove into her, thrusting deeply, as she gasped with each one and rocked her hips in response. Suddenly, he felt her start to tighten around him. The sensation of being surrounded by Kagome, her body, her scent, her taste, drove him to the edge. When Kagome wailed his name, in a broken cry of release, Inuyasha answered her, crying out her name as he spilled into her body.

They clung to each other, emptied of all thought except those of each other. As their mutual climax ebbed, they moved to lie side by side, still clinging to each other as if letting go would ensure that their shared passion was merely a dream. Inuyasha struggled back to consciousness, propping himself up on one elbow so he could look at her. Kagome's face was still flushed with pleasure, and her dark eyes were still slightly unfocused. Inuyasha brushed her lips with his, and murmured into her ear, "Kagome. I love you. I didn't think I could love you more than I already did, but now it's so much deeper."

"Oh, Inuyasha…." Kagome's eyes filled with unshed tears of overflowing joy. "My beloved hanyo, I truly love you."

Inuyasha could feel her body relaxing against his. He pulled his robes around them, in order to keep her warm and just let her drift off to sleep for a little while. He knew that he would have to dress her in his hitoe, and return her to either Kaede's, or more likely, Sango and Miroku's. They would need a place to live, because he didn't expect her to sleep outside with him, or for them to live off the generosity of their friends. But for now, he was content just to watch her sleep in his arms, and breathe in the scent that was uniquely hers, that was now mingled with his. He knew that even without knowing all that Miroku did about pleasuring a woman, he had made Kagome very happy, indeed. He knew that they would explore each other more, and learn more about the intricacies of the act of love.