#part3of4

Grabbing her bag, she headed for her office to change into jeans and a navy tee, thankful she always kept a back up of clothes here. Hanging her black dress on the back of her door, she sank in to her chair and laid her head on her forearms. She wasn’t sure how long she laid there when she felt clawed fingers stroking her hair. Bolting up out of her chair, she screamed, ready to attack whoever had snuck in, fearing the worse.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay Kagome. It’s me.” Inuyasha calmly stated, holding his hands up in surrender. Once she realized who it was, her shoulders sagged in relief. Her emotions had been all over the place, her chin began to tremble and Inuyasha scaring her just push her over the edge. She sank to the floor, tears trickle down her face.

“Kagome, what happened?” Inuyasha crouched down beside her, cupping her face to wipe the never ending stream of tears. She closed her eyes, whimpering as he continued to soothe her. She gripped his cloak tightly, focusing on the deep red color.

“My father died. My mother’s gone. My family didn’t even show up for the funeral. My family’s bar is failing. I’m going to have a shut it down, sell it. I’m so far in debt, I can’t see which way is up. My life is crumbling around me and I don’t know what to do anymore.” She sobbed, bringing him closer.

He wrapped his arms tight around her and pulled her into lap, stroking her hair softly as she sobbed, her tears soaking his clothing. She continued to cry, mumbling incoherently, while he continued to stroke her hair. Her sobs quieted, but she didn’t want to move, afraid of his reaction. Getting sleepy, she felt him shift her in his lap and was vaguely aware that he was walking with her in his arms. She snugged in closer, her arm wrapping around his neck, keeping her eyes closed. Yawning, she heard him soothe her once more and drifted to sleep in his arms.

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Yawning, she stretched her arms up high over head, hitting them softly against a velvet headboard. Frowning, she looked up, only to see a deep shade of red. Sitting up, she realized she was laying in a large plush bed, surrounded by red, silk pillows, covered in a soft duvet. Stroking the blanket, she smiled softly. I should be terrified to wake up in some stranger’s bed, but this color reminds me of Inuyasha. Speaking of, where is he? Wiggling her toes, she pulls the blanket off of her, feeling the room’s cool air brush against her feet.

Still wearing her jeans and shirt, she stood, looking around the room. It was decorated finely, like an old manor, with a roaring fire and lots of books. Maybe he’s a vampire demon, his room is decorated like one, she mused, smiling to herself once more.

Deciding to head towards the door to search for the home owner, she turned, only to see Inuyasha leaning against the door frame staring at her, an amused look on his face. His arms were crossed, his red shirt tight on his muscles, with his markings vibrant against his tanned skin. Ignoring the fluttering in her lower half, she looked at him, pursing her lips, bring her hands to her hips.

“And just what is so funny?”

“I was wondering the same thing actually.” He smirked, pushing off the frame to walk towards her.

“I was wondering if you were a vampire demon, since your room is decorated for their tastes.” She giggled.

“Oi, wench, I like my books.” She giggled some more, staring up at him as he stopped right in front of her. She suddenly had the urge to run her hands up and down his chest.

“Why did you bring me here?” 

“You were upset, I did the only thing I could think of. Are you mad?” She shook her head, staring at him in wonder.

“You are the most confusing demon I’ve ever met.”

“And you are the most intriguing and strong woman I have ever met.” She shook her head, smiling and glanced around the room once more.

“Want to give me a tour of your home?” She asked excitedly. She wondered if he had more of an updated home, or if it was old fashioned. Either way, she was determined to see it. He could sense her excitement as well, grabbing her hand in his and squeezed, laughing.

“Come on.”

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After what felt like the twentieth room the explored, she stroked her fingers along a wooden rail, admiring the shelves lined with books in the library. She sighed dreamily. His house was beyond perfect, having everything you would need to live comfortably for a long time, including a private movie theater and an extravagant kitchen. She wondered if he was rich, since he seemed so young and she realized she knew very little about him.

“Inuyasha?” She called over her shoulder, reading the titles of the shelf she was currentlywalking by.

“Yes?’

“How old are you?”

“A little over 150, why?” She stopped in her tracks, staring at him in shock.

“What?” He chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. She blushed and stared, mesmerized by his laugh.

“I’m 154 years old. I’m a demon, so we don’t age very fast.”

“That makes more sense. I was wondering if you were a millionaire or something.” She bit her lip, hiding her laughter at her own embarrassment. He chuckled again, gesturing her to sit in a oversize comfy loveseat. She sank into the forest green cushion, feeling tiny in the seat. Bring her legs up, she continued her questions. After he answered more, he leaned forward in his own seat, leaning on his thighs, a serious look crossing his features.

“Kagome, we need to talk about earlier.” Her stomach dropped, forgetting all about the outside world and her parents.

“I’m okay now, thank you for checking in on me.” She hugged her legs closer, tucking them in under her legs. She stared into the fire, their silence soothing to her mind. She still had a small headache from crying so much, but it was fading.

“I want to ask you something, Kagome. You have the option to say no, but I really want you to think about it.” He spoke to her slowly, keeping her gaze. No matter how he spoke her name, she loved it, the syllables sending vibrations through her.

“What is it?” She asked softly, biting her lip.

“I want to make another deal with you.”

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Kagome smiled once more for the fox demon and his wife, a beautiful cat demon, as they paid their tab. Ever since she returned from Inuyasha’s home, her bar’s business had been steady and rapidly rising, keeping her preoccupied with drink orders. It seemed her deal with him was working. As the night came to a close, she locked the door, flipping off the neon sign overhead, her shoulder sagging with relief. She didn’t realize how tired she was, but was thankful in many ways. In the last two days, she had managed to settle her debt with the bank, thanks to Inuyasha and business was growing. At this rate, she could put some money away to remodel the bar and take some time off. She would need to hire someone else to help.

Glancing at the clock, she figured she should get a start on cleaning before heading home to continue packing the last of her belongs. As she polished the glassware as it came out from the dishwasher, she looked back on her conversation with a certain silver hair demon.

“I want to make another deal with you.” He stared at her in all seriousness.

“What is it you had in mind?”

“I will fix all your issues, save your family’s bar, make sure you are financially set, if you do me one thing.” She swallowed, waiting anxiously for his part of the bargain. “I want you to come live with me, for the rest of your life.”

It hadn’t taken her long to decide yes, that she would talk to Sango in the next few days and move her belongs after the weekend. She had loved everything she had seen so far and realized his home wasn’t very far from hers, well her apartment. She didn’t see any harm in this, except for maybe falling for him more, especially if the feelings weren’t mutual. It wasn’t until now, she realized that if she were to live with him the rest of her life, it would be short compared to his. The thought made her sad and she cleared her thoughts, focusing on the task at hand. He hadn’t visited her, told her he would be waiting for her when she needed to move her things, to not worry about handling all her boxes.

She only stared at him in amusement and they had dinner, ordering take out, ending the night talking by the fire and getting to know one another. Looking back, it was clear, she was falling for him and wondered hopefully if he felt the same.

Her conversation with Sango had been a different story, but was welcoming when Sango had pointed out her feelings. She had stuttered over her words after that, blushing hard. Her best friend asked her to do one thing before she left, not including staying in contact at least a few days a weeks.

“Can we meet him first? Miroku and I? I just want to make sure he is who you say he is.” Sango asked, a glint in her bright, brown eyes.

“I don’t think he would mind.” She giggled, picturing Inuyasha meeting her best friends, like he was her boyfriend or something.”

Sango wouldn’t quit teasing her long after that. They decided that when he would arrive to take her back, they would meet. She realized she had no way of contacting him. Frowning at the thought, she carried her cash register drawer back to her office, thankful she decided to close the bar for the next week to get settled in, then deep cleaning her bar, doing minor repairs.

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Monday afternoon rolled around and Inuyasha arrived promptly at three, knocking softly on her apartment door. She rushed, opening the door, smiling for him and he smiled back. Butterflies erupted in her stomach once more and she bit her lip. What I would do for those lips on mine…

“I want you to meet Sango and Miroku first, before we go. Is that okay?” She asked softly, pleading with him.

“Sure, anything you want.” He murmured, stepping in. Kagome grinned, shutting the door and grabbed his hand, leading him towards the living room, where Sango and Miorku sat. When they walked in, two two rose and shook hands, everyone introducing themselves.

“So you’re doing this for her, correct? You’re not some kidnapper or a serial killer?” Sango asked, gripping his hand tightly.

“Sango dear, I feel no ill will within him. I think Kagome will be much more than okay, so you can let go of his hand now.” He winked at her, causing Kagome to blush brightly.

“My only concern is Kagome. She will be safe with me.” He smiled, glancing her way. “I enjoy spending time with her.” He added softly. Her cheeks flushed even more and she looked down, embarrassed at so much public affection.

They continued to talk a bit, getting to know one another, Miroku and Inuyasha finding themselves having more in common than they realized. Sango kept sneaking glances her way, waggling her eyes brows in his direction and Kagome thought more than one to herself that Miroku was rubbing off on her. When the sun had begun to set, Inuyasha stood his feet, holding out his hand, wiggling his claws.

“Are you ready to go, Kagome?” He asked. She nodded, placing hers in his.