Chapter Text
"Kagome!" Kaede called, walking over with a large woven basket in her hands as the raven haired priestess passed by.
"Oh hi Kaede! Did you need something?" Kagome asked and the elder woman nodded in confirmation.
"Aye that I do. We're running a bit low on medicinal herbs. Might ye be willing to fetch some?" Kagome smiled in response.
"Sure thing! Is that all?" She asked and took the basket.
"Yes that is all for now. Thank you, child. It is a great help." Kagome bowed respectfully before beginning her walk towards the western valley and forest. She barely made it out of the village before being called again.
"Kagome!" She heard before Inuyasha bound over to her. She couldn't stop the happy smile that spread across her face.
"How was your demon slaying job?" He scoffed with pride.
"Too easy! It was so boring. Are you headed west?" She gave him a nod as they walked.
"Yep! Kaede asked for some herbs so I'm on my way to get them."
"Yeah I figured." They walked in a comfortable silence for a ways until they were in a wide clearing before he spoke up again. "Hey, Kagome?" She turned to him with a curious head tilt. Inuyasha felt his face heat up and was sure it was obvious that he was blushing.
"What's up? Your face is red. You're not getting sick are you?"
"Wha-? Oh no nothing like that! I just, ummm, wanted to ask you something."
"Well I'm all ears! You seem nervous though. You know you can ask me anything, right?" Her voice was a little soft and full of concern.
"Y-yeah! Of course I know that!" He quickly blurted out then took a breath. He looked into her eyes with a serious expression that she couldn't quite understand, his fist clenching then unclenching "It's just... Kagome, will yo-" Inuyasha suddenly stopped talking and sniffed the air. His ears twitched before his entire demeanor changed. "You got to be kidding me!" He yelled in an agitated voice. Kagome was confused until she saw the sight of a man with pointy ears, long black hair pulled into a ponytail and blue eyes and she quickly figured it out. 'Oh boy, here we go...' She bemoaned to herself before Koga appeared.
"Hey Kagome!" He said in a suave voice and grabbed her hands. "Are you doing well? No stupid dogs barking at you in that annoying voice?"
"Hey!" Inuyasha yelled and got in between them. "Back off ya mangy wolf! Your stench is ruining the fresh air!"
"So to what do we owe the visit?" Kagome asked in an attempt to relieve some of the tension but she knew it was fruitless effort.
"I was just in the area and thought I'd come check on you." Koga said before exhaling a deep, dramatic sigh. "Honestly I still don't understand how you could choose that welp over me." Inuyasha put his arms around her shoulders from the side with a smug smile aimed at the wolf demon.
"Damn straight she did!" He boasted with confidence. Kagome just sighed. She knew she had to end this quickly.
"Thank you for stopping by to check on me. Please be safe on your travels!" She said, hoping he got the message. Koga grabbed her hands again.
"Fair well my dear Kagome. You'll forever have my heart! And if you ever come to your senses you know where to find me!" With that he left as quickly as he arrived.
"Stupid wolf ruining everything..." She heard Inuyasha muttered through gritted teeth.
"How much longer will this go on? I thought it would stop after I moved to this world to be with you but it hasn't. Honestly you can be so immature!" She quipped causing him to bawk in surprise.
"Me?! He's the one who's still hitting on you even though you're taken, Kagome!"
"Yes but there's no need to get so riled up! You won in the end so what's it matter?" She argued with a look of aggravation. She'd started to continue towards their destination when suddenly his arms were wrapped around her shoulders again except this time from behind, his head burying in her thick hair. "Inuy-?"
"It does matter." He interrupted and held her tighter. "It matters to me. I don't like seeing other guys act that way towards you, Kagome." His voice was soft, almost a whisper.
"I'm sorry... I guess I didn't realize it bothered you so much." She touched his hand reassuringly. "I'll try to be more careful, okay?"
"It's not just that. I know it's selfish but I want you to be mine. I want you, Kagome." Hearing him say that made her face flush with mild embarrassment but it always made her so very happy to hear.
"But I already am yours, Inuyasha." She said in a quiet voice that she hoped was soothing.
"Marry me, Kagome." He whispered in her ear, so gentle it was almost like the wind. The basket dropped from her hands on to the grassy field below.
"Was that what you wanted to ask earlier? Before Koga showed up?" She felt him nod against her, his face unreadable as it hid in her black locks.
"Y-yeah..." They were quiet until Inuyasha heard sniffling and immediately became alarmed. "Kagome?! W-what's wrong? Crap is that because of me? I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
"You idiot!" Kagome sobbed. She could feel the tenseness in his arms and shoulders as they tightly held her. He was obviously terrified and nervous of the answer. "Of course I will!" She cried before flipping herself around to grip the front of his robes.
"Kagome..." He whispered soothingly, his clawed thumb wiped away her tears and his index finger went under her chin to pull her face upwards until their eyes met. He looked at her with so much love and passion that it was almost overwhelming. She felt like she would drown in the yellow pools that bore into her. Inuyasha leaned down and pressed his lips against hers in a sweet kiss. "I'm so unbelievably happy. Thank you Kagome." His arms were wrapped around her again, pulling into a closer embrace.