basic instinct 1.docx

7/27/2019 Basic Instinct 1.docx

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Basic Instinct ~

Kagome was pulled from her peaceful slumber by an unexplainable, nagging feeling ofuneasiness gnawing away at her psyche. Glancing up into the trees, squinting against the dying

light of their campfire, her eyes focused just in time to see a figure leaping silently away through

the branches. Inuyasha had left his post. That could only mean one thing.

Sitting up, Kagome rubbed the remainder of sleep from her eyes, and glancing in the direction in

which Inuyasha had gone, she noted an eerily lit section of forest off in the distance, which shewas sure had absolutely nothing to do with the full moon overhead.

Shinidamachuu... she thought forlornly, not surprised by their presence. There was only one

reason, one person, that could make Inuyasha abandon his friends without a second thought.

But as she sat there contemplating this, Kagome realized after a moment that she didn't feel thesame melancholy that was usually associated with the realization that Inuyasha had run off to

spend time with his true love. Instead, she found that she still couldn't shake the feeling ofuneasiness that rested heavily in the pit of her stomach, and the anxiety she felt as a resultrefused to let her remain seated for long. Something was different this time. Something was

wrong. Kaede had trained her to listen to her instincts, so the future-born miko had no intention

of ignoring them now.

```````````````````

Inuyasha had been sitting in his chosen tree for the night, minding his own business, when he'd

suddenly felt her summon him.

Kikyou! he'd thought simply, as he leapt through the trees, giving little to no second thoughtregarding his actions, or what the reactions of his friends might be later on. If Kikyou was near

by then he wanted to see her. No, he neededto see her.

Emerging from the thickness of the forest, Inuyasha spotted her sitting delicately upon a large

rock that sat in the small clearing in which she waited.

"Kikyou..." he spoke softly, approaching her with caution. Though a part of him still loved thewoman in some way, that didn't mean he trustedher.

"Inuyasha..." she whispered in reply, adding, "You've come. I'm glad." as she stood up to greet

him.

"Of course, Kikyou." he replied with a sigh. He would always come whenever she called. Itwasn't really like he had a choice in the matter, after all.

"It is time, Inuyasha." Kikyou said next, raising her voice in pitch ever so slightly.

"Time? I don't understand."


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surprise and began sneezing violently, collapsing to the ground on all fours as he attempted to

shake the disorientation free from his mind.

That was when Kagome knew she could remain hidden no longer.

```````````````````

She didn't know why she had suddenly felt so compelled to follow, much more so than usual.During the times when she had secretly observed the two of them together in the past, it had

always brought her nothing but heartache, and there had been quite a few times when she had let

it go, simply unable to face the sight of the two of them together. But unable to shake the nastyfeeling that something was amiss this time around, the future-born miko had ventured forth

without hesitation.

She supposed that in her own way, she felt that it was her duty to protect him, as payment for allof the times he usually protected her. She never interfered whenever she observed them

speaking, except of course for the few times one or both of them had ended up spotting her.Inuyasha never seemed angry with Kagome for following, and instead usually seemed apologeticfor her heartache, as if she had truly caught him doing something he shouldn't have. Whenever

Kikyou alone noticed her presence, though, she would flash Kagome a sadistic smile and

embrace the hanyou even closer. The undead miko just lovedcausing her reincarnation pain.Kikyou had told her long ago to return to her own world, her own time, but Kagome haddeliberately not heeded the command. If anything, the fact that Kikyou wanted her gone so badly

only told the seventeen-year-old just how badly she needed to stay. She'd sworn to Inuyasha over

two years ago that she'd forever stay by his side, for as long as he'd have her, knowing deep inher heart that the day they finally parted, it wouldn't be because she had returned to her own

world, but rather, because he would be leaving this one. That didn't mean, however, that she

couldn't try to prevent it. Even though she knew that Inuyasha still loved Kikyou, and that therewould never be any room in his heart for herself, he still didn't deserve to die. Kagome hadstopped Kikyou from dragging him into Hell with her once before, and she could do it again. No,

she woulddo it again, again and again, even if nights of soaking her pillow in her own tears was

a side effect of her devotion.

Spotting them in the clearing, Kagome could hear only well enough to tell her that they were infact speaking, but not well enough to distinguish the words that were being said. So far,

everything seemed innocent enough. Then Kikyou started moving closer, and Kagome thought

she heard her say something about reaching a solution. A solution to what? Then, the elder miko

suddenly reached into her robes before pulling out a handful of powder she'd kept hidden,blowing it in Inuyasha's face.

Feeling a deep fear in the pit of her stomach that something had already been done to Inuyashanow that she wouldn't be able to help, Kagome launched herself out of her hiding spot, praying

to any kami that would listen that it wasn't too late for her to save him from whatever it was that

Kikyou had planned.

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Kikyou stood silently by, smirking in satisfaction. It was far too easy. With Inuyasha's mind

reduced to nothing more than the simplest of emotions, his inner love for her would shine

through above all else. Surely, Kikyou thought, Inuyasha's love for her was still far greater thanthe infatuation he might feel for her reincarnation.

Without his higher thoughts available to remind him of his other obligations, he will be mine,undisputed.

It had momentarily surprised the undead miko when he'd yelped at the powder being blown inhis face, but she quickly surmised that it was a natural reaction, being that he was half inu-

youkai. No matter, as soon as he came to his senses, he'd run to her side like a schoolboy with a

crush on his teacher, eager to please.

Damn, what's she doing here? Kikyou questioned to herself as soon as she saw the unwelcome

woman/child run out onto the scene, heedlessly throwing herself at Inuyasha's feet, asking him ifhe was okay as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome called, ignoring Kikyou's presence altogether, which the miko didn'tappreciate one bit. "Inuyasha speak to me..." Kagome pleaded in a softer tone, earning the

faintest of whimpers in response.

"He cannot." she heard Kikyou state in that moment with a smirk in her voice, and gathering

herself and climbing to her feet, Kagome shouted back, "What did you do to him?!"

"Nothing permanent." the undead miko replied casually, chuckling a bit as she explained, "I

simply masked the higher thinking of his mind. Inuyasha can feel only his emotions; he knows

only his sensations. He is without logic, only passion."

"Why would do you such a thing?" Kagome asked, voice a little calmer now as she found the

smallest hint of comfort in the fact that Kikyou had said that whatever she'd done was notpermanent.

"Simple," Kikyou answered, almost sounding bored, as if she really shouldn't have to explain heractions, as if, were Kagome smart enough, then she would have already figured it all out on her

own.

"So that his false sense of responsibility towards you and your friends will not hinder him in

obeying the love for me he feels in his heart."

A horde of butterflies immediately took flight in her stomach, as the future-born miko

desperately tried to damp down her nerves at her preincarnation's statement. Was it true? Would

he really turn his back on all of them? If he were driven only by his heart, and not by theresponsibility of honoring his promises, would he abandon her? He'd sworn he'd always protect

her, at least until the mission was over, but...if he couldn't bring himself to think, to remember

that vow...


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Kagome was unaware of the tears that began falling. Would she be losing him? Tonight?

Not if I can help it. I won't give him up without a fight!

Swallowing her nervousness and squaring her shoulders in determination, allowing her own love

to dominate her senses as she blocked out her fear, Kagome met Kikyou's smug gaze head onand shouted, "I won't let you take Inuyasha!"

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Inuyasha didn't like sneezing; something was irritating his nose. Remaining crouched on allfours, he shook his head free of his disorientation. Then his senses picked up the scent of death,

of graveyard soil and old bones. He didn't understand why the seemingly alive woman before

him produced such an odor, and he continued to shake his head. Then he felt a pair of soft arms

encircle him, as someone spoke in a panicked tone. He couldn't understand her words per se, buthe got the feeling she was asking him if he was all right. He felt a strong wave of caring and

concern from her. He whimpered faintly that he was confused but otherwise okay, not knowingwhy he trusted this girl as he did. She and the other woman, the one who smelled of putrid death,they were talking now, and they were talking about him. He knew they were even if he could not

understand them fully. He knew enough to know his own name, which was being spoken by

them both. He could also smell the salt of tears being shed by the younger woman, and it inspiredhim to stand so he could regard her face to face.

Kagome was both surprised and relieved to see Inuyasha rising to his feet, but the way he gazedat her made her heart flutter. His eyes were full of concern, much more so than she'd ever seen in

them before. Leaning in slowly, he gently licked a tear from her cheek, and Kagome immediately

blushed at the contact, lifting her hands up to wipe the rest of her tears away herself. Why would

he do such a thing? She hadn't even realized she'd been crying, unaware of it on a conscious leveldue to her determination to stand up to Kikyou. More than anything, now, Kagome was confused

as to why Inuyasha would do something so bold, especially in the apparent state of mind that he

was in. What did it mean?

"Inuyasha..." Kikyou spoke suddenly, which caused both Kagome andInuyasha to shift their

gazes in the undead miko's direction.

Holding out her arms affectionately, she murmured, "Come to me." but Inuyasha only just stood

there, sniffing in her direction before crinkling his nose in such a fashion that Kagome suddenlyhad to stifle the giggle she felt would be most inappropriate at the moment.

Kagome was quick to realize something that she didn't think Kikyou had thought of, even beforeInuyasha leaned in closer and sniffed her hair, almost as if to get the nasty smell of Kikyou out of

his nose. Smirking to herself, Kagome could only hypothesize that it was Inuyasha's memory of

love mixed with his sense of duty that he felt towards Kikyou that had previously enabled him tostomach the odor that evenshe could smell. Kikyou really was a walking corpse.


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But what Kagome had realized in that moment was that while Kikyou's spell had indeed reduced

Inuyasha to his simplest of emotions, he was predominantly inu, and so they were inu emotions,

not human. Had Kikyou known that this would happen? Not judging by the look of confusion onher face.

"Inuyasha." Kikyou said again, this time a little more impatiently.

Inuyasha did break away, then, as he slowly began stepping forward, but Kagome could tell he

was hesitant to obey. He appeared, in all honesty, like a dog that was very slowly creepingtowards his angry master after having been caught doing something bad; head down, ears

lowered...

Inuyasha approached the wrong-smelling woman very carefully. He remembered this woman

from somewhere, he was sure, but his feelings were mixed and confused. Part of him was

demanding that he rush to her side, while another part was screaming at him to be careful, to notlower his guard. Her image invoked strong feelings of love, but also strong feelings of pain, of

anger and heartache. He didn't really want to leave the side of the other woman whom he alsorecognized and also loved, but yet at the same time, he felt that he had to obey the one who'd

ordered him to go to her. Sniffing again, he had to fight the urge to sneeze once more, and foundhimself breathing through his mouth just to avoid that nasty odor. Why did she smell like death?

That couldn't possibly be right...

When she suddenly shifted and quickly reached forward to grab his hand, he flinched away in

surprise, and then lowered his ears even more at her angered reaction. He didn't want to displease

her, but he also didn't want her touching him.

"Inuyasha! What is the meaning of this?!" Kikyou shouted angrily, dumbfounded by the way he

whimpered at her, lowering his head to peer up at her through his bangs. What the hell?

"He can't answer you..." Kagome chuckled lightly, smiling like an idiot.

Flabbergasted, Kikyou spat, "He's acting like...acting like a..."

"A dog?" Kagome offered, desperately trying to wipe the smile from her face. This was serious,

after all, but she just lovedthe current expression on Kikyou's face. "He is an inu-hanyou, or had

you forgotten?" the future-born miko inquired next, trying to sound as cold and as stoic asKikyou herself usually did.

"My spell was supposed to make his human side surface!" the currently very un-stoic undeadmiko shouted.

"Well..." Kagome pondered, posturing with a finger on her chin, "I'd say that on some basiclevel, he still knows he's half human. He is walking on his hind legs, after all."


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Kagome kept her voice steady, even if she couldn't keep the smile from reappearing. She then

sing-songed "Inu-yashaaaaa..." which earned her a flick of his ear, as he quickly turned to face

her. "Come here boy." she said sweetly, while holding out her hand palm up.

Without really thinking, Inuyasha immediately returned to Kagome's side, sniffing at the

proffered limb that was outstretched before him. Confirming that he did indeed know and lovethis woman, and without all of the bizzare confusion of also feeling pain or fear, he nuzzled her

neck, sniffing once more before switching to licking, as his fangs grazed the location he would

eventually mark, when he took her. While his feelings for the other woman were mixed andconfused him, his feelings for the woman before him now were quite clear. He loved her, he

trusted her, and he felt the uncanny urge to protect her from harm. He quickly deduced that she

was his intended mate. Though it was clear they had not yet mated, she carried a strong imprint

of his scent, which was all the proof his nose needed to inform him that she was his one and onlytrue life-companion. The other woman, the one who smelled of dirt and bones, he felt a bizarre

longing to be by her side, but feared it as well, as if to obey that instinct would mean certain

death. She did not carry his scent, but she did carry the scent of dark magic, of evil and death.

She was a succubus, his instincts warned him. She smelled wrong. But the other girl, the one henow embraced, she smelled right.

Kagome tried not to blush at his attentions, but failed miserably, especially when he licked her

cheek again right before going back to her neck. He was kissingher! It was inu-style, but still, he

was kissing her! And in front of Kikyou?! Kagome somehow managed to stifle her moan as she

slid her eyes closed, the feel of his fangs grazing her neck sending gentle shivers throughout herbody. What did it mean? Did his base instinct choose...her? She was mentally dancing for joy.

Kikyou wasn't having it. He was supposed to remember his love forher, not her reincarnation!Notching an arrow, she thought to eliminate the competition once and for all.

"You think you're clever, bitch?" Kagome heard Kikyou ask coldly before glancing up, only tosee an arrow heading straight for her.

The next thing she knew she was on the ground, pinned underneath a rather heavy inu-hanyou,

who had obviously tackled her to safety. She was tremendously grateful that he'd had the thought

to do so, even on such an instinctive level, otherwise she'd likely be writhing in agony with anarrow in her heart.Nothow she wanted to die.

Kagome was abruptly pulled from her thoughts at the sudden sight of his snarling face lifting

away from hers, as he turned to face off against their attacker. Kagome knew that Inuyasha lovedKikyou too, even if it was only on some higher level he couldn't quite reach at the moment. As

she watched him run towards the clay miko, claws extended, she called out to him "Inuyasha

no!" but he didn't heed her call.

She would never be able to live with herself if she allowed Inuyasha to cut Kikyou down like

that, not when she knew what the memory of Kikyou still meant to him.

"Osuwari!" she screamed desperately, out of options.


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With a loud and painful yelp Inuyasha was immediately slammed into the forest floor, earning

Kikyou the necessary moment in which to escape. She'd seen her miserable life flash before her

eyes as Inuyasha had narrowed in for the kill, and was silently thankful to her reincarnation forstopping him, especially since she didn't have to. What a horrible mess her spell had made of

things. Kikyou knew she would have to reevaluate her position. Was Kagome truly more

important to him than herself? Was all that still kept him coming to hertruly his honor, and nothis love? She would have to come up with a new approach, then, and play that angle instead.Guilt him into following her, even if he truly wished not to.

As a parting farewell, the undead miko looked down at her reincarnation from where her

shinidamachuu had lifted her into the air, and said, "You're lucky he won't remember any of this.

I doubt he would appreciate knowing that you had interfered with his prestanding agreement to

join me."

Kikyou secretly smirked to herself as her soul collectors carried her off. She knew that Inuyasha

wouldremember. She didn't much relish the thought that he'd recall her attack on Kagome, but

surely she could throw in his face the fact that he had also come after her with his claws,meaning to kill her, and use the guilt of it against him somehow. Also, Kikyou smiled at the

thought of his humiliation over her copy seeing him act like the dog he really was. Hopefully, ifall went well, then they'd get into another one of their fights when the potion finally wore off,

and Kagome would return to her own time for a while as a result, leaving him vulnerable and

alone. Though rendering him to that of his canine instincts hadn't been her intention, she would

turn it to her advantage.

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Back at camp, Shippou was awoken by the strangled cry of his adoptive mother's call of

"Inuyasha no!"

"Wake up!" he cried, quickly rousing the others.

"What is it?!" Sango and Miroku both asked in unison, as they quickly darted their eyes around

camp to discover that not only was their leader away from his post, but their futuristic

companion was missing as well.

It was then that they allheard Kagome scream the subduing command, though her voice didn't

sound angered, it sounded...desperate.

Kirara hissed in that moment, and all eyes followed her gaze, as the nekomata stared upward intothe skyline above the trees, where they all spotted the unnatural pattern of floating lightsilluminating the night sky.

"Kikyou's soul collectors!" Sango uttered in panic.


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"Let's go!" Miroku said as he took off into the woods, using his spiritual powers to cause his staff

to glow, providing them with a torch in the night as he led the others in the direction from which

they'd all witnessed Kikyou depart.

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Kagome approached slowly, unsure of what Inuyasha's reaction to her was going to be now, but

she was surprised, and hurt, when his reaction upon looking up at her approach from his spot on

the ground was to flatten his ears and whimper submissively.

"Inuyasha..." she soothed, reaching out a hand that he flinched away from, "I'mso sorry,Inuyasha. Please forgive me"

Sitting on her legs beside him, she reached for him again and he thankfully didn't flinch,

although his eyes were glued to her hand.

"You didn't leave me a choice." she tried to explain, unsure if he could understand her words ornot. "I couldn't just let you kill Kikyou, you would have never forgiven yourself, or me."

Kagome gently placed her hand on top of his, and he pulled himself into more of a sittingposition, rather than lying sprawled on his stomach as he had been. Sitting on his haunches now,

she kept her hand planted firmly upon his own, rubbing a gentle circular motion with her thumb

as she continued to whisper, "I don't know if you can understand me, but I'm sorry I hurt you, itwas the only way."

He cocked his head to the side, almost as if he understood her words, but not her logic. He was

confused over her actions. That other woman had tried to kill her, so he'd done the only thing

there was to do, he'd protected her. But upon defending her against their attacker, she had used acommand to stop him. He recalled this power she had, faintly. He didn't have access to his

memories, exactly, but he knew what seemed familiar to him, and thathad seemed familiar. Heknew he hated it, and that he wanted to avoid it at all costs. Yet his love for this woman did not

waver, and he understood that the reason she'd punished him was because he had displeased her.

He did not wish to displease her again, and looking up at her face, he smiled at what he saw.Instead of still being angry with him for what he'd done, she seemed remorseful over her own

action. If she forgave him then he would forgive her, too. His smile widened.

Seeing the way he was looking at her, with that gentle smile upon his face, Kagome felt her

panic melt away. Inuyasha was not mad at her. She hadn't known if her subduing him would

have caused him to come afterhernext, but he wasn't in his full youkai form, after all. He wasn'truled by bloodlust. He'd attacked Kikyou whileprotectingher...the thought still made her smile.

It was around that time that the others all came crashing into the clearing, and Inuyasha visiblytensed until she whispered "Shhhhh" while stroking her hand over his in a soothing fashion.


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"What happened?" Sango asked hesitantly, not seeing any injuries on either of her friends,

though the large Inuyasha-shaped crater was rather hard to miss. It was odd that he would be

sitting so comfortably close to Kagome after that, and was Kagome actually stroking his hand??

"Kikyou." was all the future-born miko said at first, though she quickly realized it wouldn't be

enough of an explenation.

"We saw her depart from here. What has happened?" asked Miroku next. "Usually about now,

you would be asking Sango to borrow Kirara so that you could run home in tears, while Inuyashabroods up in a tree."

He said it on purpose, hoping for a retort from their hanyou companion. Something along the

lines of 'Shut up' or 'Mind your own business' would be appropriate. Instead, Inuyasha only

continued to look at them all while cocking his head to the side. His expression of uncertainty

was unnerving to the monk. The reaction from Kagome at his words wasn't what he'd expected,either. She laughed.

"I guess Kikyou thought a change in routine was in order." Kagome said after a moment with abit of a chuckle still in her voice, knowing she'd only confused them more, so she immediately

continued with... "She cast a spell on him that was supposed to reduce him to the simplest of

human emotions, having his love for her rule above all other feelings in his heart, during whichshe would have successfully dragged him into Hell, while I would have been unable to stopthem."

Sango easily caught the words 'supposed to' in Kagome's explanation, not to mention the way

she'd stressed the word 'human', and that, coupled with the fact that Kikyou had left while

Inuyasha was still there, combined with the way said hanyou was still just sitting there in silence,

compelled the slayer to ask... "What went wrong?"

"Somebody forgot about Inuyasha's inu half, that's what."

"So he's been reduced to his inu instinct?" Shippou asked, finally speaking up after taking

everything in that the adults had said.

"Yeah..." Kagome answered, while still gently petting the hand that had been getting stiffer and

stiffer under her touch, as Inuyasha grew more and more nervous around these new people.

Shippou suddenly bound right up in his face, startling both Inuyasha and Kagome, while barking

out something that Kagome didn't understand, but Inuyasha did.

The young kitsune said "Pack"

Inuyasha visibly relaxed, then, and Kagome had an inkling then of what Shippou must have said,

while she instructed the others, "Stick your hands out palm up and let him sniff you, he'llremember you're familiar to him."


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Hesitantly doing what they were told, Inuyasha sniffed at Sango and then Miroku, having already

taken in Shippou's scent. They were all familiar to him. The pup was right; they were pack.

"Why don't you guys all head back to camp?" Kagome said suddenly, adding, "I'm gonna stay

here, with him."

"Is that wise?" Miroku asked, "You don't even have your arrows." he stated in concern, as he

observed the young miko, who was currently dressed in flannel pajama bottoms and a tank top.

"If danger strikes, Inuyasha will protect me. I know he will." Kagome answered confidently.

"But," Sango spoke up next, "Would he have the instinct to use Tetsusaiga? If somethingstrong

attacked you, he might not be able to stand up to it with his claws alone."

Her concerns were valid, Kagome supposed, but she replied logically with, "If something that

big approached, then I'm sure we'd all sense it coming, and besides, I could always call out to

you guys again. You obviously heard me when I yelled out the last time, right?" They nodded,"So, if danger strikes, I'll cry out again, okay?"

Nodding again, Miroku said "We'll see you in the morning, then." as he turned to head backtowards the direction of their campsite, little Shippou on his shoulder.

"Kagome..."

Sango couldn't just leave without voicing herotherconcerns, but Kagome knew what the slayer

was worried about and beat her to it.

"It's temporary," she assured her friend, adding, "And he won't remember, so let's not discuss itagain, all right?"

Nodding silently then, Sango too turned back towards camp, with Kirara on her shoulder, leavingthe hanyou and miko alone.

```````````````````

For the longest time, Kagome just sat there in silence, relishing in the closeness of Inuyasha'spresence, even if she was more confused than she'd let on in front of the others. She understood

basically everything that had happened, but what she didn'tunderstand was why Inuyasha had

seemed more drawn to herself rather than Kikyou.

Kikyou had said that Inuyasha would react upon pure emotions. His higher thinking, including

his sense of duty and honor, was currently being suppressed. Did that mean that what had kept

Inuyasha loyal to Kikyou all this time was not love? He'd always said that he was 'honor bound'to protect her, that he 'owed' it to her. Did he not truly wantto go to her, then? He sure as hell

hadn't acted like it now. Would things have been different if he'd been reduced to mere human

emotions, as Kikyou had expected? Was his reaction to them both in this instance truly based on


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his inu instinct, alone? Even so, it was enough to keep that smile on Kagome's face. He preferred

her. In some way, he preferred her. Even if he usually suppressed it because of whatever twisted

logic he thought he had, his base animal instinct told him that he preferredKagome.

But ifthatwas true, then did that mean he...?

No, he didn't love her, how could he? He preferred her on an instinctive level, true, but probably

only because Kikyou reeked of the dead, and, Kagome also realized, she probably carried his

scent on her from as often as she rode upon his back. So he probably only recognized that hespent most of his time with her...that was all. Kagome tried to convince herself of that, but

yet...her mind kept wandering back to the kisses. First, he'd licked her tears away, which could

easily be interpreted as simple friendship, or grooming. But later, when he'd licked her again,even going as far as to graze his fangs against her throat... Thinking about it still made her shiver,

in agoodway.

But Kagome knew better than to get her hopes up. Whatever Inuyasha might feel on an

emotional level, the sense of honor and duty he normally felt that kept him going to Kikyouwould continue to keep him going to Kikyou, until the day their mission was over, and he finally

joined her in Hell. His base instinct may have told him to defend Kagome against Kikyou'sattack, but he'd never, neverlift his claws against Kikyou while in his right frame of mind.

Kikyou was simply more important to him. Sure, he would have still pushed Kagome out of the

way of the arrow, but then he would have probably just stood there dumbly asking Kikyou whyshe had done such a thing.

Because she's evil... Kagome thought dryly.

Even if the Kikyou that had once lived was as kind and as sweet as his memories insisted, that

Kikyou had never returned. Darkly, Kagome wondered if it wasn't the living scent ofthatKikyou that she apparently smelt similar to that he was remembering when he showed affection

for her in the first place. But she wouldn't worry about that now, though. Right now, she would

simply stay by his side, just like she had promised she would, and wait this out with him until hereturned to normal, however long thattook.

She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard a small whimper escape his lips. Glancingsideways, she saw him staring at her, and wondered briefly if his whimper wasn't simply his way

of asking her if she was all right.

"I'm fine..." she answered then, musing to herself that she might as well talk with him if it'll

make him feel better, especially since he wouldn't remember anyway.

"I'm sorry this happened to you. If you could understand it, I'm sure you'd feel embarrassed." She

reached up and placed her hand on his shoulder, and he seemed to lean into her touch, his eyes

happier now. "But I don't think anything less of you," she assured him, "I've always known youwere half inu-youkai, and I've always accepted this part of you."


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He flicked his ears around for a moment at her words, and if Kagome hadn't known any better,

she would have sworn he was actually inviting her to pet him. Tentatively, she reached up, and

began rubbing the base of his right ear, amazed to feel him lean into the touch, while grumblingsounds of contentment in his chest.

"I knew you liked it..." she teased in merely a whisper, as she reached up and rubbed the otherear as well.

Shifting herself so that she was kneeling in front of him, she rubbed his right ear with her lefthand and his left ear with her right. Staring into those beautiful golden eyes of his, her heart

melted, her soul lost in his gaze. Kagome wanted to lean in and kiss him, but fighting against the

urge, she knew it wouldn't be right. Not even if he didn't remember, because she would. Ceasingher action, then, she lowered her hands to her sides, and he cocked his head to the side in

curiosity once more. Kagome chuckled quietly to herself. He'd always done that, even before.

He'd always done a lotof dog things, even if he was unaware of them on a conscious level.

Besides growling and sitting on his haunches all the time, she'd seen him shake himself dry, and

once she recalled even seeing him scratch his ear with his foot when he hadn't thought anyonewas looking.

"Don't look at me like that." she finally teased, pained by the look of love reflected back at her in

those eyes. "You don't even know who I am, do you?" she asked nobody but herself. "You just

like my smell...it reminds you of...someone else." she whispered while lowering her eyes to theground.

Inuyasha didn't know why his intended had suddenly gotten so sad, but he didn't like her feelingsad. He would have to do something about that.

Kagome was shocked into silence. Without warning, Inuyasha leaned forward and gently lickedher across her lips.

He kissed me again! she screamed in her mind, before quickly shaking the thought free. She

couldn't give in to her feelings, no matter what.

"I'm flattered," she finally joked in a subdued tone, "But just once I'd like us to kiss when you're

notunder a spell." she added under her breath.

He tilted his head to the side again.

Sighing, she shuffled herself over to his side, and bracing herself against the trunk of a nearbytree, she encouraged him to lean sideways, until he was lying on his right side with his head in

her lap, facing away from her. Of his own accord, the hanyou reached up with his left hand and

gently placed it on her leg. Slowly, Kagome wrapped her left arm around his side, while runningher right hand across his head, occasionally massaging the base of an ear, as she mumbled, "Do

you know how long I've wanted to hold you like this?"


14/23

A wave of panic suddenly washed through her as she asked, "Inuyasha, if you could understand

me, you'd let me know, right?"

She received no reaction from the hanyou, except a small whimper of disapproval when she

ceased her attentions to his ears.

Resuming her ministrations, then, she murmured to herself, "I wonder how long until the potion

wears off."

He started rumbling deep in his chest, almost like a purr except he was a dog. It was clearly a

growl, but a playful one, as he flicked his ears against her touch.

Chuckling to herself, Kagome commented, "Well, I guess it's safe to say it hasn't worn offyet,

ne?"

She could tell when Inuyasha started drifting off to sleep, and suddenly wondered if she'd never

get another chance to tell him how she felt when she had nothing to worry about as far as theconfession complicating their relationship or their mission.

"Inuyasha..."

He tilted his head ever so slightly in acknowledgment of his name, turning his ear in the direction

of her voice to indicate he was listening, even if he didn't understand anything beyond the tone ofemotion in her voice.

"I love you..." the miko whispered, leaning down to kiss his temple. She could barely see himwatching her out of the corner of his left eye, which was partially visible to her, but then

suddenly, he shifted his position, and before she knew it he was lying flat on his back looking upat her, just like how she'd held him when the Spiderhead-youkai had poisoned him during theirfirst new moon together.

His eyes were so different, even though they looked the same. They weren't riddled with doubt,or bruised with centuries of torment. They didn't contain fear, or depression, or self-loathing,

which she'd come to associate with his eyes. Instead, they were shining with pure happiness,

pure love, pure devotion, and pure trust.

Kagome didn't know what tore at her heart worse. The fact that he didn'tlook at her like that

when he was himself, or the fact that while under this spell, he did.

"I asked you not to look at me like that." she breathed, trying to cool the blush she could feel rise

up her cheeks at his expression. Then Inuyasha sniffed at her and his eyes widened slightly,something new added to the mix of emotions he appeared to be feeling for her...lust.

"Don't look at me like that, either." Kagome mumbled, knowing very well what he smelled. "I'mnot your mate, no matter how much I may want to be, so you just wipe that thought from your


15/23

head, mister." she said in a teasing manner, hoping that if she said it in a playful enough tone of

voice, that it wouldn't feel quite so painful.

Inuyasha seemed to settle back down as soon as she started rubbing his ears again, much to

Kagome's relief, and before she knew it, he was asleep.

He looks so young and innocent when he sleeps... she thought, before resting her head against the

tree trunk she was leaning against, allowing sleep to consume her as well.

```````````````````

Inuyasha woke slowly, the morning light reaching him through the trees, demanding that he

return to the world of wakefulness. Blinking his eyes open, he was greeted with a sight of

loveliness, Kagome's sleeping face.

I'm resting in her lap?????? he questioned himself frantically, once their positions dawned on

him.

Then the memories of all that had happened the night before came crashing down on him.

Kikyou's summons, her spell, her attack on Kagome and his attack on her...

I can't believe Kikyou actually tried to kill her!

He was honestly relieved that Kagome had stopped him from cutting Kikyou down, but at the

same time, he was somewhat shocked that she had. There was just no end to the depth of her

heart, he realized in that moment. He knew it hadn't really been for Kikyou's sake, but for hisown. He recalled Kagome's words, as she had explained clearly why she had done what she had.

Looking back up at the sleeping girl in that moment, Inuyasha felt an incredible wave ofhumiliation overtake him at the realization of what he'd been reduced to, at what part of himshe'd seen. But, she had still accepted him, hadn't she? More of her words echoed in his head,

though he found them hard to believe. She accepted him? She loved him? She wanted to be his

mate?? That last one in particular was even harder to believe than the rest. Kikyou had loved

him, after all, but had still insisted that he turn human. Kagome always had told him that sheliked him just fine as a hanyou. Hell, she'd even said she lovedhim as a hanyou once, but

still...he'd taken it only as friendship. Even the kiss that had freed him from Kaguya's spell had

been deemed an act of friendship in his mind. How could she possibly 'love'love him? Likethat?

He was now faced with two choices. One, pretend he didn't remember anything, which he knewwas what Kagome believed, anyway. Or two, confess that he remembered, and face the wrath of

'sits' that were sure to come as a result. Option two seemed less appealing, he decided then.

How would I react if I woke up like this with no memory of what'd happened?


16/23

Getting up swiftly, Kagome was jolted awake by his movement, the miko clamoring to her feet

just in time to see him face her with a look of disgust and demand, "What the hell happened?!

How'd we get out here?!"

Kagome flinched, and thinking quickly, said "I...I found you out here unconscious, so I-I decided

to s-stay with you, you wouldn't wake up."

It was a total lie and she knew it. New tears threatened to burn her eyes unless she let them fall.

Inuyasha cringed. It hadn't even been five minutes into the new day, and he'd already made her

cry. He could tell, he could smell it.

"Ah hell, don't cry..." he said as he pulled her into a light embrace.

She sniffled against his shoulder, and he wondered if a part of her had actually hoped that he

wouldremember.

Damn it all...

"I'm such a baka..." he whispered to himself, though she heard him and asked in return, "What do

you mean?" while trying to dry her eyes.

"Here you are, coming to my rescue, protecting me until Kikyou's spell wears off, and I go and

yell at you for no reason."

Kagome backed away from him then, surprise the dominant emotion in her eyes, her face flushed

with embarrassment.

"You..."

"Remember?" he offered. Nodding curtly, he lowered his face, along with his ears, and mumbled"You can go ahead and osuwari me now."

"W-why...why would I do that?" she asked, trying to figure out his logic.

"Because," he chuckled darkly, "I'm sure you only said the things you said 'cause you'd figured Iwouldn't remember 'em."

"Well, that's true..." she admitted softly, her face as red as his suikan by that point. "But youdon't deserve to be subdued because of it."

"Then how 'bout 'cause of what I did?" he asked next, his head still down, shame clear in the toneof his voice.

"What'd you do?" she asked.


17/23

"Don't play dumb." he grumped, recalling how he'd been kissing all over her, and in front of

Kikyou no less.

"Inuyasha..." Kagome sighed in that moment, quickly realizing that she would have to be the one

to say what needed to be said, since he seemed to just want her to osuwari him and put the whole

thing behind them both. "Inuyasha, I understand," she started, which earned her his ears perkingup, as he slowly lifted his eyes to gaze into hers.

"I understand that you were responding to my scent on an instinctive level, and while I wasshocked and overjoyed to learn that at least some part of you might actually care about me in

such a manner, I know that you still love Kikyou."

Inuyasha couldn't miss the way Kagome said might, and recalling her muttered words of concern

that he hadn't even known who she was, that her scent had just been reminding him of someone

else, the hanyou knew that he had to get at least one thing clear with the future-born miko in thatmoment.

"There ain't no 'might' about it. I knew it was you, Kagome." Lowering his eyes, he added "Andthat's why I'm such a bastard, wanting you when I'm bound to Kikyou."

Softening her gaze, truly touched by his words, Kagome reached up with her hand to cup hischeek, until his eyes met hers in shock at the tenderness of the gesture.

"You're not a bastard." she assured him, lowering her hand before adding, "I can accept that in a

way, you have feelings for us both, and I'm sure it must be confusing. I didn't force you to

choose before, and I won't force you to choose now. Just know..."

She hesitated, unsure if she should continue, but gulping down her nervousness, Kagome decidedafter a moment to just go for it. Just because she would never force him to choose, didn't mean

that he should be left unaware of what such a choice truly entailed.

"I will forever be by your side, until the day you are the one who leaves. If in the end, you

choose to go with Kikyou, if that is your final decision, then I won't stop you. But, if you chooseme..." A rouge tear managed to fall, and he moved to wipe it from her cheek, with his hand, but

she raised hers to stop him. "If you choose me," she repeated, "I will stay. I will stay in this time.

I will become your mate. I will love you as a hanyou, and love our quarter-youkai children."

Staring at her dumbly, his eyes were mostly reflecting shock and surprise now. He hadn't been

expecting her to say all that.

He had some serious reevaluating to do, Inuyasha realized then. He knew he loved Kagome, and

he also knew that his youkai side had chosen her for his mate long ago, but it was his human sidethat had kept him from acting on it. His honor had kept him at Kikyou's beck and call,

demanding that she come before all others. Yet, could he ever truly bring himself to leave

Kagome behind? He clearly recalled the feeling of panic such a notion had inspired in him thenight before, when Kikyou had first announced that her reason for being there was to take him


18/23

into Hell with her. He'd thought he'd had more time with Kagome, he'd thought he'd had until

their mission was over, and he hadn't want to go, at least not yet. But, what about when their

mission was over? Would that be it, then?

It wasn't really a choice of what he wantedto do. He could tell you what he wantedright now.

He wanted Kagome. But his honor had always been all he'd ever had. He owned nothing exceptthe clothes on his back and the sword at his side. That didn't matter to Kagome, either. She knew

he had nothing but his pride, his honor, and his vow to protect her, and for her, it was enough to

sustain them.

Everyone around him had always tried to tell him that Kagome was the right choice, but his

honor just hadn't allowed him to listen. Kaede had said that that clay doll was not her sister, andshe'd told him that he should return her to the soil from whence she came. Sango had said that

Kagome was in constant pain because of him, and had even accused him of being a double-

crossing two-timer, going as low as to say that his actions were even worse than Miroku's

continued flirtations. She'd practically demanded a choice from him in the past, making it quite

clear that his choice had betterbe what she considered the rightchoice. Miroku, on the otherhand, had pointed out the simple fact that there could be no real future with the Kikyou that

walked today. She was cold, and without life, and could never bear him any children.

Inuyasha had snorted at that.

Nobody could everwant to bear a hanyou's child, he'd thought, so then what did it matter? He

wasn't stupid, he knew choosing Kikyou would mean his death. Miroku seemed to be the only

one who understood, besides Kagome, that it wasn't simply a choice between two women, butliterally a choice between life and death. Miroku had told him that he did not feel that he owed

his life to Kikyou, his revenge against Naraku yes, but not his life. Inuyasha wasn't the one who

had killed her, after all; he wasn't the one who'd betrayed her. He hadn't turned his claws on herin retaliation for what he'd believed had been herbetrayal, but she hadturned her arrows on him,sealing him away for fifty years. If anyone should have to repent for their actions, Miroku had

said that it should really be Kikyou.

Inuyasha's honor still hadn't allowed him to listen. He'd blocked them all out, convincing himself

that he still loved Kikyou just as strongly as he had fifty-two years ago. They all wanted him tomake a choice he simply couldn't make. He had thought he'd chosen, once, and he'd chosen

Kikyou, but then Kagome had surprised and delighted him when she'd asked him if she could

stay by his side anyway. Had Kagome demanded a choice from him back then, he likely would

have cast her aside, saying that he couldn't turn his back on Kikyou. But his love for her hadgrown so much since that day at the well, and he'd loved her then, too, he realized now. He'd

known even then that he wouldn't be going with Kikyou until the jewel was complete and

Naraku defeated, but he'd thought to spare Kagome the heartache of continuing to see him in the

arms of his old love. He'd thought she wouldn't want to stay by him knowing his decision, butshe'd surprised him then, just as she'd surprised him now. Even now, even now Kagome believed

he would most likely be joining Kikyou in Hell after their mission was finally over. Even now

she knew his sense of honor wouldn't let him simply forget about his past love. She wasn'tforcing him to choose, probably because she knew his choice would most likely be Kikyou if she


19/23

did. But yet, she had simply reminded him that there was a choice. She'd pulled her heart out and

given it to him, his to do with as he pleased. Inuyasha had always told himself that all he had was

his honor, but that wasn't entirely true; his honor was not the only thing he had, at least not anylonger. As of right in that moment, he knew he also had Kagome's heart. He'd lose her only if he

cast her aside himself. Which would be worse, losing his honor, or losing Kagome? The one and

only woman who wouldbe willing to bear a hanyou's child... Kagome loved him enough to seepast his demonic characteristics. Even more than that, she actually loved his demoniccharacteristics. He knew she was crazy about his ears, for some kami-forsaken reason. But even

more importantly, Kagome loved him enough to let him go, if in the end, what he truly wanted

was to go with Kikyou. Of course, he didn't wantto go with Kikyou, but if in the end he simplyfelt that he had to, then she would let him go without a fight, because when you loved something

you had to let it go. Wasn't that how the saying went? And then if that something came back to

you, it was yours. Kagome was letting him go, so...would he return to her? Or was he never truly

hers to begin with? He had thought that his life belonged to Kikyou, but the undead miko didn'treally love him, and he understood that, also, because if she did, then she would want him to be

happy, and alive. If Kagome had forced him to choose in the past, he would almost assuredly

have chosen Kikyou, but now, it was actually Kikyou who had forced him to choose. Her actionsfrom the night before made it crystal clear that she was no longer willing to let him keep both of

them in his life. Hell, she was no longer willing to let him stay alive. Choosing Kikyou meant

death, after all. So what was better...dying with honor while breaking the heart of the one girl

who truly loved him, the one girl whom he truly loved, or dishonoring himself by breaking avow that never should have been made in the first place? Kagome wasn't the one forcing the

decision from him in that moment, but Inuyasha quickly realized that the decision did have to be

made.

Finally managing to find his voice, he murmured "Kagome..." in a faint whisper, while once

again wrapping his arms around her. "Please forgive me..." he pleaded, his voice raising in pitchas he fought the urge to cry.

Kagome looked up to meet his gaze, doing her best to blink back her own tears. He was sayinghe couldn't choose her, wasn't he? He either didn't return her feelings, or his honor simply

wouldn't allow it, but either way, it didn't matter.

She tried to be strong, for him, but she faltered when she heard him whimper again. The

whimper seeming to say "I'm so sorry." Pulling away, she looked at him in surprise.

"Inuyasha?"

Chuckling darkly, he mumbled "I've never been very good with words, but you seemed to read

me so well when I was nothing but a dog."

"You said you're sorry..." she whispered, and he nodded. "You don't have to apologize." she said

next, adding "And yes I forgive you." as her tears began to fall. Collapsing against his chest for

the second time, she continued to sniffle as she mumbled, "I always knew you'd choose her."


20/23

Though her voice was muffled by the fabric of his suikan, Inuyasha had still heard her, and

quickly realized that she was misinterpreting him. So what else was new?

"Kagome..." he sighed again, while gently stroking her hair. "I'm not apologizing for future pain,

I'm apologizing for old pain."

She looked up at him, slightly confused.

"I'm not asking forgiveness for my final decision, I'm asking forgiveness for being such a fool

for the last two years." Breathing deeply, he added, "And I have made my final choice. Just so

you know, nothingwill ever change my mind now."

She tried to lower her gaze again, but suddenly found her face being lifted to meet his by the

clawed finger that hooked itself underneath her chin. Inuyasha had always been a man of few

words, letting his actions speak for him. He'd tried to show her that he cared; he'd always takencare to make sure that she was safe and fed. But then again, he'd always leave her to run after

Kikyou, sometimes even endangering Kagome in the process. For himself, that wasunforgivable, but maybe he could eventually make it up to her, somehow. Deciding then andthere that he had no words to properly portray himself, Inuyasha slowly leaned his face down

towards hers. Actions spoke so much louder than words, after all.

At first Kagome was convinced that he didn't even return her feelings, at least not on the same

level. Then when he apologized so sincerely for causing her years of pain, she started to think

that perhaps he really did share her feelings, but was merely powerless to act on it because of hisobligations. When he announced he'd reached his decision she'd wanted to cry again, until she

suddenly realized that he was lowering his lips toward hers. The kiss was soft, and sweet, and it

didn't feel like an apology at all. It felt like a promise, it felt like the first of many more kisses to

come.

Pulling away when he could tell she needed air, Kagome blinked up at him breathlessly, as hesmirked and said, "I'm not under a spell right now."

The future-born miko easily recalled what she'd said about wanting them to kiss when he wasn'tunder a spell, and she immediately felt heat rush up her cheeks again. She was so embarrassed!

But he didn't let her feel that way for long as he quickly pulled her into him for another kiss, this

one much more heated than the first. Kagome melted into him, the flush of her cheeks suddenly

having nothing to do with embarrassment as she moved against him, inviting him to exploreevery inch of her, as she explored him in turn. When they finally parted for air the second time,

Inuyasha's face was also flushed, but much like Kagome, the redness to his cheeks had nothing

to do with embarrassment.

"Am..." she panted, "Am I...to understand..."

"I choose you." he confirmed for her.


21/23

Leaning into her, this time he went for her throat, licking and suckling as he'd done the night

before, grazing her with his fangs.

"This is where I'll mark you..." she heard him mumble as he pleasured her neck.

"Mark me...?" she asked, vaguely recalling something Sango had explained to her once aboutcanine youkai. The taijiya had warned Kagome about the magic of mating marks, with concern

regarding Kouga, and whether or not the ookami might be dishonorable enough to claim her

against her will. Fortunately that had never been an issue, but it did get Kagome thinking in thatmoment...

"You mean like a bite, right? But you do something with your youki so that it's magic and won't

injure me?"

Nodding against her, he confessed, "That's why I went for it the last time," as he nipped at herever so slightly, leaving tiny pink spots without breaking the skin. "We familiarize ourselves

with the location first, until we pick a specific spot, over the pulse point." he murmured whilepoking her with his fangs again. "Right here..." he said more clearly, and she moaned as she felthis teeth on her flesh. "Once you're mine, I'll mark you right here." he said again, sticking out his

tongue and licking her delicately.

Kagome wanted to kick herself for not realizing the significance of him grazing her neck the first

time. He really didwant her. Making up her mind in that moment, Kagome knew she didn't want

to wait another minute to finalize their joining. If he wanted her and she wanted him, then whyshould they wait?

"I'm already yours..." she stated in that moment, adding "Mark me now."

He pulled away in shock. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"But...once I do it, it'll be permanent."

"Good."

"It's traditionally done during mating." he emphasized, embarrassed despite himself at the

thought of them joining so intimately right then and there, out in the open. He didn't really want

to take her in the middle of the woods like some animal. She deserved better than that, and whatif something orsomeone interrupted them?

"Does it have to be done during mating?" Kagome asked for clarification, reading his thoughts

and sharing his concerns.

"No, it's a claiming mark, bonding you to me, but you're not mine until we've-"


22/23

"Yes I am." she interrupted. "You said yourself that nothing will ever change your mind, and

nothing will ever change my mind, either. We have plenty of time forthat, but I'm already yours.

Mark me now."

He could feel her desperation. Part of her was seeking out this final act as reassurance, he was

sure, though it wasn't like he could really blame her. As he thought about it, Inuyasha found thathe wasn't hesitant for his own regard; he merely wanted to make sure thatshe was sure. But he

had been telling the truth when he'd said that nothing would ever change his mind, and he would

prove it.

Pulling her hair away, he tilted her head slightly, as he once again lowered his fangs to the pulse

point on her throat. He then clamped his mouth down over her flesh rather hard, and begansucking with force, until Kagome was sure she'd have one hell of a hickey. Suddenly, she felt

what she'd been waiting for, his fangs penetrating her flesh. It didn't hurt as badly as she'd

thought it would, and she compared the sensation to getting a body piercing. She started to feel

cold and weak, as she realized he was draining her of her blood, but he knew when to stop. She

then felt a warm, almost burning sensation when she guessed he was now fusing his own bloodinto her system, from the bite he'd given himself at the tip of his tongue. She would forever carry

his scent, she would forever carry his mark, she would be his, forever. Her senses would increasesome, which was a natural side effect when a youkai took a human mate, and her life span had

also been increased, the demonic blood now flowing within her own veins causing her to age as

slowly as her hanyou mate. Even though the actual act of mating itself had not yet occurred, for

all intents and purposes, they were mated. By youkai law, they were married, and there was nosuch thing as divorce.

After he pulled away from her, Inuyasha gazed proudly at the mark she now bore. The bite markhad already healed into an iridescent silvery scar, which produced his scent and pulsed with the

signature of his youki. Even if she hid it somehow, a youkai would be able to tell they werebonded. In passing, the hanyou smirked to himself, thinking of how he couldn't wait until thenext time Kouga came sniffing around. He also felt that there was one very important subject

that still needed to be discussed.

"Obviously, I won't be going to Hell with Kikyou," he started, reluctantly adding "But..."

He could feel Kagome stiffen in his embrace.

"If she summons me, I need to go to her, at least one last time, to tell her of my decision."

Kagome nodded her head in understanding; she trusted Inuyasha, she just didn't trustKikyou. But

then again, neither did he.

"When I do, you're coming with me." he added, and the way in which it was said left no room for

argument, not that she would have argued, anyway.

Kagome looked up at him with tears in her eyes, only this time they were tears of joy.


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Offering her one last smile, Inuyasha turned around and lowered himself to one knee, before

stating, "Well come on, we'd better get back to the others before enough time passes that Miroku

won't believe I marked you with our clothes on." Turning his head, he winked at her over hisshoulder.

Kagome blushed at his words but still climbed up onto his back, wrapping her arms and legslovingly around him.

"Oh, and Kagome?" he spoke up as they headed into the woods.

"Yeah?"

"I love you too."

***************

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