Kagome opened her eyes and smiled at the still sleeping Inuyasha.
            ‘He looks so peaceful,’ Kagome thought as she stood out of the water.
            Kagome shivered slightly as the cool air of the bathhouse swept across her bare, damp skin.
            Stepping quietly out of the water, Kagome went to the bench to grab a towel, only to find that there were none.
            Kagome looked around the room, thinking that the towels were elsewhere when it dawned on her.  In their hurry to get in the pool, they had both forgot to grab towels.
            Kagome sighed and was about to awaken Inuyasha, but she remembered that Shinzen and Myoga were still somewhere by the house.
            Kagome walked over to the shoji screen and slid it open just enough to stick her head out.  Looking around the main room, Kagome saw no one.
            Kagome had an idea, and hoping that it would work, she called to Shinzen softly, just above a whisper.  She waited a few moments and looked behind her to make sure that Inuyasha was still asleep and she called out the door a little louder.
            This time Kagome was rewarded by Shinzen coming to the main doorway.
            Walking inside, Shinzen saw Kagome’s head sticking out of the shoji screen and walked toward her.
            “My lady, are you in need of something?” Shinzen asked, stopping several feet away from her.
            “Yes, in our haste to get into a bath, we forgot towels to dry ourselves with, and I don’t know where they are,” Kagome said shyly, keeping the shoji screen closed as much as she could.
            “I see, why not have lord Inuyasha…” Shinzen said but stopped when Kagome put her finger to her lips.
            “Inuyasha is asleep,” Kagome said quietly.
            Shinzen nodded and walked to the wall of drawers on the left of the bathhouse door and pulled out cotton cloths.
            “In the bottom drawer, for future reference, my lady” Shinzen said, placing the cloths on the floor before the door and turned to leave.
            “Thank you, Shinzen-san,” Kagome said to his retreating back.
            “It is my pleasure, my lady,” Shinzen said, not turning around, figuring Kagome was retrieving the drying cloths.
            Kagome opened the screen and reached for the cloths that Shinzen had laid on the floor.  She stood with them in her arms and closed the screen.
            Kagome paused a moment and wrapped one of the cloths around her as a shiver ran down her spine.  Frowning down at the thin piece of cloth that was wrapped around her, she made a mental note to bring back soft and fuzzy towels from her next trip to modern times.
            Kagome stiffened at that thought. The reality of the situation she was in dawned on her.
            “Mother is going to kill me,” Kagome said aloud, not realizing it.
            “That would not be a wise career move for her, if you catch my drift,” a low, growling voice said, drawing Kagome’s attention to her feet.
            A very awake Inuyasha was starring at her with narrowed eyes, from the pool.
            “I’m sorry I woke you,” Kagome said softly, cursing herself mentally for ruining how she wanted to awaken him.
            “Don’t change the subject,” Inuyasha growled, standing up out of the water.
            Kagome sucked in a deep breath as her eyes traveled over Inuyasha’s wet, naked body. The conversation was non-existent as far as she was concerned, as she ran her tongue over her bottom lip and purred.
            “Kagome…” Inuyasha growled, trying to bring her attention back to the conversation, as she was reaching out to grasp his manhood.  Inuyasha grabbed her approaching hand and forced her to look at him.
            “Hmm…” Kagome said, blinking her eyes to clear the lust filled fog that clouded her vision and senses.
            “Answer me this… why would your mother be upset about this? We love each other,” Inuyasha asked softly. “Do you regret…” he began, but was caught off guard as Kagome threw herself into his arms, dropping the cloth from her hand.
            “No. I have no regrets. I just know that she will be upset that I did not consult with her and grandfather on my decision to be your mate and to become hanyou. Plus she did not get to plan and participate in our marriage ceremony,” Kagome said, nuzzling Inuyasha’s neck.
            Inuyasha relaxed and held Kagome tight against his chest.
            “My mate,” Inuyasha cooed, stroking Kagome’s hair. “All will be fine. You’ll see,” he whispered.
            “What am I going to tell her and what about me not going back to school?” Kagome cried.
            “Well, as far as your mother, I would tell her the truth, but for the other I cannot help. I never went to this ‘school’ thing. Mother taught me and then I kind of learned on my own from there,” Inuyasha said bringing Kagome’s eyes up to meet his and smiled. “Besides, aren’t you a little old be in the ‘school’ thing? Isn’t that for children?” he added.
            “Ooh, I’m old am I? Look who is talking here,” Kagome said with a mock growl and a smile.
            “You think I am an old man? Well I will show you what this old man can do… but not now.  We have things that we need to attend to,” Inuyasha growled at his mate.
            “What are you planning?” Kagome asked, handing Inuyasha the drying cloth she had dropped.
            “Thank you my love. I am planning nothing… at the moment. I know that we need to tend to the clothes that are strewn about our room and I want to pick out a kimono for you to wear today,” Inuyasha said, drying himself and wrapping the cloth about his waist.
            “You know, I like this side of you,” Kagome smiled, walking to the bench where her previously discarded yukata lay.
            Kagome slipped the cloth that was around her down and let it fall to her feet.
            Inuyasha watched her with lust filled eyes, taking in all of  his mate's beauty, from the way her hair swayed and fell over her shoulder when she leaned forward to grab her yukata, to the sensual curve of her bottom.
            “Beautiful,” Inuyasha growled softly, as Kagome slipped the yukata on and wrapped it around herself.
            Kagome took the belt and did a quick bow in the back and turned around to face her smirking mate.
            “What?” Kagome asked, not sure how to read the expression on Inuyasha’s face.
            “You are beautiful my love,” Inuyasha growled, pulling Kagome toward him, capturing her lips in a hot kiss.
            “Mmm, I thought we weren’t going back to bed,” Kagome moaned.
            “Yes I did, but I am still entitled to some harmless nibbling on my mate,” Inuyasha purred.
            “I don’t think you could be harmless in anything you do,” Kagome grinned.
            “But you like that about me, don’t you?” Inuyasha grinned.
            “Ooh you… get dressed, husband,” Kagome said stepping away from him, flustered with his roaming hands.
            Inuyasha laughed at the face Kagome made and smiled, patting her bottom.
            “As much fun as this is, there are things we need to do,” Inuyasha grinned, taking the cloth from around his waist and dropping it to the ground. He picked up his yukata and pulled it on, being sure that he took his time, knowing that Kagome was watching his every move.
            “I love you, mate… never change,” Kagome said with a smile.
            Inuyasha grinned then frowned. “Just remember what I said before. We must be careful when we are in public or in the company of the others,” he said, trying his belt.
            “Explain,” Kagome said, with a raised eyebrow.
            “I don’t want other youkai thinking that I have lost my edge and attack us. Besides, this is only behavior that should be shared with my mate,” Inuyasha explained, trying to put his concern into words.
            Kagome stood before Inuyasha, silently going over what he said.
            “I think I understand. Just be yourself around everyone else. I know you have your reasons, but just don’t be a jerk about it.  There are ways of asserting yourself and projecting a strong and confident attitude, without being rude or an ass,” Kagome said seriously. “Anyhow, I am hanyou now. Just let some youkai give me some crap, and I’ll tear him to shreds. You know we have a saying in modern times. The female of the species is more dangerous than the male,” she added with a smile.
            Inuyasha gulped and walked toward Kagome, slipping an arm around her waist. “Come on, let's go and get dressed. Then I can go catch us something to eat. I am starving,” he said, leading Kagome out of the shoji screen.
            “Oh I wouldn’t know why you’re hungry. It’s not like you did anything today to work up an appetite,” Kagome said sarcastically with a smile.
            “Yes, the duties of a husband are to exhausting,” Inuyasha sighed, grabbing Kagome and pulling her fully against his body. “I like it and I would never give it up,” he growled into her ear.
            “Oh. excuse me. my lord. I did not mean to interrupt,” a voice said from beside the entwined couple.
            Inuyasha and Kagome turned to face the voice and saw Shinzen coming toward them with a large cleaned fish in his hands.
            “Not to worry. What do you have there?” Kagome said, motioning to the fish.
            “I caught us a fish for dinner. I was about to retrieve cooking supplies when I came in,” Shinzen explained.
            “Dinner!” Kagome and Inuyasha said at the same time, looking at each other.
            “How late is it?” Kagome asked, looking toward the main door to see the light fading outside.
            “It is well past midday, my lady,” Shinzen said.
            “Wow, we must have slept all day,” Kagome said, looking to Inuyasha who smiled at her.
            “You weren’t complaining,” Inuyasha said, just loud enough for Kagome to hear it.
            Kagome blushed and smiled.
            “My lord, I will cook this over the fire I have started outside. I did not want the house to smell of fish,” Shinzen said, walking to the small alcove in the back of the room that hid the cooking supplies.
            Shinzen pulled open the screens that concealed the shelving and items on them. He pulled out the needed items and headed out the main door to cook.
            “Well, I guess that we should get better dressed and take care of the details in here,” Kagome said with a smile, walking to the screen door that separated the main room from their bedroom.
            Inuyasha nodded and walked into their room behind Kagome. He walked to the tansu in the wall and pulled open the top drawer and pulled out a kimono wrapped in paper.
            “Here, wear this one,” Inuyasha said, placing the wrapped package on the floor by Kagome, as she was folding up the white kimono from the previous night.
            Kagome stopped her folding and opened the delicate paper to look at the kimono that Inuyasha had selected for her.  It was beautiful. The kimono was deep blue with white cranes painted on it.
            “Thank you. It is lovely.” Kagome smiled at Inuyasha.
            “Anything for you,” Inuyasha said, taking off his yukata and collecting his discarded clothing.
            “Where are the belts stored?” Kagome asked, pulling the kimono out from its paper encasement.
            “They are in the next drawer down,” Inuyasha said, stepping into his hakama.
            Kagome stood and walked to the tansu. She opened the drawer and was surprised by the number of kimono belts that were folded in the drawer.
            Looking them over, Kagome selected a deep blue belt, with various shades of blue woven through it.
            Kagome took the belt to where she had laid out the kimono and took off her yukata.
            “You are gorgeous,” Inuyasha purred.
            “Not now. Later,” Kagome smiled, picking up her underkimono from the floor.
            “Then I will leave you to get dressed, or else we will not leave this room,” Inuyasha said, walking toward the shoji screen.
            “I’ll be out there soon. Can you get a fire started in the hearth and get some water to boil?” Kagome asked, tying the sash to her underkimono.
            “I’ll take care of things, don’t worry,” Inuyasha grumbled, as he walked out the screen.
            Kagome snickered at the pouting puppy as she finished getting dressed. ‘This is going to be an interesting life,’ she thought, walking out of the room to help Inuyasha.

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

            Shinzen came into the house with the cooked fish and was surprised.
            There was a large kettle over hot coals in the hearth and the table was moved toward the heat. The cushions were arranged around the candle lit table for sitting.
            Kagome was pouring hot water into a tea pot and then into some odd looking bowls with tops on them.
            Inuyasha sat at the right end of the table with a cushion on his right and his left.
            “The fish is ready, Kagome-sama,” Shinzen said, waling to the table.
            “Thank you, Shinzen-san. I’ll take it and cut it up,” Kagome said, standing to take the fish from him.
            “That is not necessary, my lady. I will tend to this,” Shinzen said, walking to the alcove that contained the eating and cooking utensils.
            Kagome looked to Inuyasha for an answer, and he just shrugged at her, indicating that he didn’t understand either.
            Not knowing what to do with herself, Kagome sat down beside Inuyasha and poured the tea for them.
            Soon Shinzen returned with three small plates that each had pieces of fish on them and a set of chopsticks.
            “My apologies. I only caught the fish. I did not get anything to accompany it,” Shinzen said, setting a plate before Inuyasha and Kagome, then setting his down before taking his seat.
            “No need, Shinzen-san. I always keep ramen and tea on hand. My mate here eats quite a bit,” Kagome smiled, receiving a snort from Inuyasha’s direction.
            The group ate quietly, enjoying the sound of the forest that could be heard as night fell.
            “My lord, how long will you be needing my services?” Shinzen asked, setting his tea cup down.
            “Only for tonight, my friend. Kagome and I need to return to the village and she must visit her mother,” Inuyasha said, with a serious look.
            “I see,” Shinzen said with a nod.
            “But don’t think you can’t come to visit us at anytime.  You are welcome here in this house,” Kagome said with a smile.
            “I thank you for the offer, Kagome-sama,” Shinzen said with a slight bow.
            Seeing that everyone was finished eating, Kagome gathered up the ramen bowls and picked up the plates. She took them to the utensil closet.
            Kagome stood there thinking of how she was gong to clean the plates. An idea sprang into her mind. She grabbed a large bowl and walked with it to the kettle of hot water. She took the ladle and poured water into the bowl. After walking back to the utensil closet, she poured cold water into the bowl to cool the water down. Kagome put the plates into the bowl to soak and returned to the main room to retrieve the tea cups and pot. To Kagome’s shock, Inuyasha was bringing the cups and tea pot to her.
            “What? I’m not helpless you know,” Inuyasha said, answering the questioning look that Kagome had given him.
            Inuyasha walked past her and set the cups and tea pot down in the bowl of hot water with the plates.
            “I already emptied them out too,” Inuyasha said, with a confident smirk on his lips.
            Kagome was surprised but smiled. “Thank you. I will be sure to remind you of that in the future,” she giggled.
            “Feh, just don’t get used to it,” Inuyasha snorted, walking past Kagome.
            Kagome knew he did not mean it, for the smile on his face betrayed the sharpness of his tongue.
            Kagome smiled at Inuyasha’s retreating back and went about pulling the cups, plates and the tea pot out of the cooling water. Not having anything to dry them with, she set them on the lowest shelf to dry.
            Kagome picked up the bowl with the water in it and walked to the main door to discard of it. She walked out and was amazed at how dark it was. Taking in the peacefulness of her new home, she returned inside.
            “We should retire. We have an early day in the morning,” Inuyasha said, standing up from stacking the cushions up.
            “Yes, we really must get back,” Kagome said, a little saddened by the thought of leaving the house.
            “Not to worry. We will return,” Inuyasha said, blowing out the candles on the table, and handing Kagome one that was still lit.
            “That is a pleasant thought,” Kagome said, with a smile.
            “Come on, lets go to bed. Remember we have to face the firing squad in the morning,” Kagome said, walking to the door to their room.
            Inuyasha was not understanding Kagome’s remark. “What do you mean? We are going to the village in the morning,” Inuyasha said confused.
            “Silly puppy. I meant we will have many questions to answer when we get back and then we must tell mother,” Kagome explained.
            “I see,” Inuyasha nodded as the two walked into their bedroom.
            To their surprise, Shinzen was inside stoking coals in the small hearth.
            “Thank you, Shinzen-san,” Kagome smiled as Shinzen stood up.
            “Think nothing of it. I figured that I would tend to this while you and his lordship tended to the other things,” Shinzen said with a smile, walking out of the screen door.
            “Thank you my friend,” Inuyasha said with a smile.
            Shinzen smiled and closed the screen behind him.
            Kagome smiled seductively as Inuyasha began to undress.
            “Be careful with that mate. Tonight we sleep,” Inuyasha said firmly, as he took off the last of his clothes and settled himself onto the furs.
            “Aww, you are no fun,” Kagome pouted, taking off her kimono.
            “Sure I am. I’m just being sensible,” Inuyasha mumbled, sleep already beginning to claim him.
            Kagome pouted and climbed beneath the fur skins and snuggled against Inuyasha.
            With a smirk, Inuyasha pulled Kagome’s head down to rest on his chest. He stroked Kagome’s hair until she purred and drifted off to sleep.
            Inuyasha smiled and kissed the top of Kagome’s head.
            “I love you my mate, my friend, my lover,” Inuyasha whispered, as he let sleep finally claim him.

************************
Notes:  More to come. This is just as the title implies, an interlude. Sorry for the shortness of the chapter.

Inuyasha and all related characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, I do not seek to infringe on her rights. I am only borrowing the characters to expand on the love and romance between them.

You can find my stories at:
Strands of Moonlight       http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com  and  http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net


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