The song is by Simon and Garfunkel, "Kathy's Song", perhaps my favorite song of all time. Always wanted to use it in a fic!

A few liberties taken in the legend, so bear with me!

Hope you like =P

Ja ne!

~Sabichan~

**still I POV**

We began to walk up the steps when she started cursing under her breath. She paused and grabbed onto my arm for support as she bent down to take off her shoes.

"There, much better!" She continued ascending barefoot. Once at the top she grabbed my arm again.

I let her drag me around the side of the house. I held my breath as I took in the picturesque scene before me. Moonlight seemed to dance over every blade of grass and the leaves of the giant oak tree shimmered.

She led me over to the tree.

"This is the God Tree." She announced quietly. " It's over a thousand years old. Can you imagine what's it's witnessed?"

I stared up into the thick boughs, noticing the stars still managed to shine through.

"Impressive." We walked over and sat on the bench beneath it.

"You bet it is. It saw this very shrine being built. And you see that little notch there in the trunk? That's part of the legend of this tree-the Goshinboku."

"Tell me." I said, genuinely interested. Her face lit up and she started her story.

"Well the legend says about that five hundred years ago, there was a shrine maiden who lived in a village near this tree. She was a miko of great power, in a time when demons still inhabited the earth. She fought and protected the village against these demons. Well one day, she met a boy, only he wasn't just a boy-he was a half breed. Part human, part demon. They fell in love, against all the odds that were against them, but it wasn't to be. You see, he promised to become completely human for her somehow and he set off to find a way. But just before he returned tragedy struck. There was another man who was in love with the Miko, and he wanted her above anything else in the world. So he became a demon and took on the form of her half-demon lover. Then he struck her down and ran. Soon after when her lover returned with a way to become human for her, she saw him and believing that he had betrayed her, she shot him through the heart with her Miko's arrow, pinning him to this very tree for all eternity. She died right after. And that's what that notch is from. Her arrow piercing her only love."

I sat for a while, in a bit of a stupor. This wasn't my first time hearing this story. In fact, I'd heard this story so many times, I knew it by heart. Though I'd never heard of the Tree, it was the same story, no doubt about it. I wondered about telling her that, but realized it would lead into a discussion I wasn't sure I was ready to have about my gift.

"Suddenly I realize why you like history so much." I finally said. She giggled.

"Well I did grow up here. It's hard not to appreciate the past when it's a part of your daily life."

I looked at her and noticed she was again fingering the jewel. Just seeing her touching it made me smile.

"Do you like it?" She looked surprised.

"Are you kidding? I love it! Where on earth did you get this from?"

"I told you, it was my grandmother's. I guess it has a history of it's own."

"Tell me about it." I wanted to, so badly, but my nervousness got the best of me. If I told her now, how would she react? Especially being here, where the two stories apparently coincided. I did my best to counter her question.

"Well, I'm not as good as you are when it comes to stories. How about you ask Faye? She's knows the story better than I do." She nodded.

A comfortable silence settled over us. The only sounds were of the soft breeze rustling through the trees above. As comforting as it was, I realized there was something else I'd much rather be listening to. Staring up at the stars I finally broke the silence.

"Kagome?"

"Hmm?"

"Sing for me...please" I said, meeting her eyes, knowing she would not deny me this time.

Without replying, she sat up straight and cleared her throat, and began to sing.

I hear the drizzle on the road

Like a memory it falls

Soft and warm continuing

Tapping on my roof and walls

From the shelter of my mind

Through the window of my eyes

I gaze beyond the rain-drenched streets

To England where my heart lies

My thoughts are distracted and diffused

My thoughts are many miles away

They lie with you when you're asleep

And kiss you when you start your day

And the song I was writing is left undone

Don't know why I waste my time

Writing songs I can't believe

With words that tear and strain to rhyme

So you see I have come to doubt

All that I once held as true

I stand alone without beliefs

The only truth I know is you

And as I watch the drops of rain

Weave their weary paths and die

I know that I am like the rain

And there but for the grace of you go I...

I stared at her in utter fascination and rapt enchantment. Suddenly the story my father had told me all those hundreds of times took on a whole new meaning. Now I know how he had felt the first time he had heard my mother sing. She sounded like an angel.

I struggled to find words fit to praise her performance, but came up empty. For the second time tonight, she had rendered me speechless.

Her eyes eventually drifted to mine, and she looked amused .

"Did I do good? I don't usually take requests." I blushed, somewhat embarrassed at my reaction.

"Yeah... you sounded beautiful, Kagome."

"Thanks. That's sweet." Bashfulness finally took her over as well.

I noticed the light goose bumps on her arms and took off my jacket. I draped it over her shoulders and she muttered another faint thanks, and her hand brushed mine as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. She looked at me, her eyes shimmering in the moonlight, once again flashing with that strange emotion.

I found that I couldn't look away-I felt like I was falling into those chocolate hued depths. I was getting lost in her eyes and I realized at that moment that I didn't care. I was so entranced that I hadn't noticed we were gradually moving closer to each other. It finally hit me when I felt her warm breath against my lips. I almost pulled away, but her eyes just kept pulling me in, closer, closer...

Finally I ever so softly pressed my lips against hers.

I kissed her.

And she kissed me back.

The silky texture of her lips moving gently against mine nearly made me tremble with excitement. She tasted so sweet, so good, so...Kagome. I placed a hand on her cheek and she instinctively tilted her head into it, deepening our kiss.

This was my first kiss. This was perhaps one of the greatest and most important experiences of my life, and it was with a girl that I couldn't help but believe was made for me alone.

I was startled when I felt her tongue glide over my lower lip. I gasped parting my lips in surprise and she slid her tongue into my mouth. She probed cautiously, and gently, almost as if she could sense my inexperience, though I hadn't told her I'd never been kissed. Her tongue tapped mine and then caressed it sensuously. She seemed to be leading me back into her mouth. I tentatively followed, and found myself immersed in world of sweetness. I never knew a woman could taste this good. I followed her example and explored her mouth. She moaned aloud and then wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling her body closer to mine. I tilted her

head back further, granting myself more access, and our mouths mingled passionately.

My other hand found it's way to her waist and I pulled her even closer to me. We continued kissing as her hands weaved through my hair, drawing a deep moan from me. I'd never heard myself make that kind of noise. Then she moaned in response. My hand traveled lower, grasping her firm hip, then down to her thigh, and lower. Finally I felt her silky smooth skin beneath my finger tips. She pushed closer to my mouth in response, so I continued to stroke her bare thigh.

Everything felt so new, and in all truth, it was new to me. But she was a kind and patient teacher, dominant yet yielding, and very, very encouraging. The low mewling noises she was making were sending strong shivers through my entire body. I couldn't help but feel myself becoming aroused. I mean, I was kissing a beautiful, not to mention perfect girl, who obviously liked what I was doing. Images of my fantasies of her began to flash through my mind-Gods how I wanted to be with her!

If just kissing her felt this good, I could only imagine what making love to her would be like. I groaned involuntarily at the thought and my hand made another bold move under her dress. She tensed at first, then quickly relaxed as I nibbled lightly on her bottom lip.

I felt her shift and move closer to me, her knees pressing against mine. My hand trailed down from her cheek to the nape of her neck. She bit my lip teasingly and I fisted my hand in her hair, letting out a noise suspiciously close to a whimper. I'm still amazed she didn't laugh at me. Then again I suppose her mouth was a little busy.

My fingertips danced tentatively over the smooth skin of her thigh. I felt her try to move closer to me, but with little cooperation. Our bodies were in too awkward of a position. She let her hands glide over my shoulders, across my chest. I reveled in the fact that our lips had not yet parted.

I knew then that years later, if I heard anyone talking about how great their first kiss was, how magical and beautiful the moment was, how it was the best kiss ever, I would always know deep down inside that no one, NO ONE, could top this. This was the pinnacle of first kisses, the Everest. This was the greatest moment of my life.

But as with all things, one always finds a way to fuck up such moments. I was pretty sure I did just that.

Unknowingly, my mischievous hand that was weaving through her hair, found it's way our of her ebony tangles and to her shoulder...then lower to trace her collarbone...then lower.

I felt her body tense as I gently cupped her right breast in my hand. Her kiss stopped but she didn't pull away from my lips.

Mentally I was kicking my own ass again and again. The two seconds that passed seemed to last for hours. I just sat there frozen with my hand still firmly attached to her chest, my tongue still inside her mouth. I felt panic begin to rise in me.

Then it happened. Those two seconds passed and Kagome did the very last thing I expected her to.

She leaned into my touch, kissing me with renewed fervor. I suddenly realized I could feel her nipple harden under my palm. I knew she wasn't cold...

One of her hands slipped under the collar of my shirt and roamed over every inch of my skin in her reach. I don't know when I finally snapped back to reality, but I reacted. I brought my other hand from beneath her dress and cupped her left breast.

Wow.

She pushed into my hands excitedly and I instinctively began to palm them, caressing them. Believe me, I had no idea what I was doing. Not a single inkling. But she fucking liked it. I rubbed my thumbs over her tight nipples, reveling in the fact that I was the one who had caused it. I could practically feel my blood rushing through my veins and my heart beat pounded in my ears. ` Gods, Kagome...'

After a moment or two, I felt her try to move closer again. By then, my mind was so passion frenzied, that I growled low in my throat and grabbed both of her hips. I heard her whimper slightly at the loss of my ministrations, but that sound was quickly replaced by a startled moan when I lifted her off the bench from beside me and planted her on my lap, straddling me.

There was not a moment of hesitation on her part, nor on mine. My hands settled on her waist as she adjusted her position. She moved closer to my body, so close that I could feel her breasts pressed against my chest. And another part of her body firmly pressed against another part of my body. A particularly stiff part of my body to be more specific.

I know there was no way she could have not noticed it. But she continued to kiss me, sucking lightly on my bottom lip. That really got me going. My hands began to roam all over her body, tracing her curves appreciatively. God, how wonderful it felt. All those days watching those hips swing as she walked away from me to her bus in the mornings-now I was holding them. All those days of trying not to notice the way her breasts bounced when she laughed-now they were pressed against me. All those days of wondering how heavenly she would taste-now, her lips hadn't left mine even for air. This...this was a dream come true. Kagome was the only person I'd ever truly desired, and here she was comfortably seated on my lap.

I felt myself begin to tremble in sheer excitement. `This is perfect!! This can't get any fucking better' I screamed mentally. Oh, how wrong I was...

I unconsciously shifted below her, brushing her with my throbbing erection. I felt her gasp into my mouth and then buck against me. This drew a similar reaction from me. She didn't stop. She kept rubbing against me, slowly at first, then a little faster. That's when we finally broke our kiss, only because I was starting to pant. I'd never felt anything like it before. There was just this wonderful friction between our bodies, and every time she would roll her hips, I moaned low in my throat.

My hands slid under her skirt and I roughly grabbed her backside. I helped her move more quickly against me. There was so much pressure, I just needed her to keep doing this, and I would feel release, satisfaction, bliss.

I finally dared to open my eyes and I almost fainted at what I saw. Her eyes were shut tight, and her face was set in look of sheer pleasure. I'd never seen anything more beautiful in my life. Like I said, I was wrong before-THIS was perfect.

Suddenly I felt that familiar warmth, that feeling like I would soon climax. I wasn't sure what to do. I certainly did NOT want to stop, but I didn't know if it was appropriate for me just ...go.

It seemed like she noticed my hesitation, because she slowed down to a sensual, teasing pace and pressed her lips to my neck. I felt her shower my neck and collarbone with light, butterfly kisses, from one side to the other. Her mouth came down on the sensitive spot at the juncture of my neck, causing me to shiver in pure delight. It briefly occurred to me that Kagome really seemed to know just what to do. She seemed rather experienced.

All thoughts were halted when she licked the outer shell of my ear. I shivered again, gasping out her name in a surprised whisper. I could've sworn I felt her smiling as she continued to gently grind her heat against me.

My hands moved up from her backside and softly cupped her face. I brought her forehead to rest against mine and she stopped moving against me. I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I would be.

We stayed there for a moment, catching our breath, letting our racing hearts calm a while.

She broke the silence then.

"Inuyasha..."

"Yeah."

"What just happened?"

I stayed silent, biting back a smart assed quip that readily sprang to my lips. Then I began to wonder what did actually just happen.

Why did she kiss me back? Did this mean she was really interested in me? Or did she just get swept up in the moment?

"I ummm.. I don't know.." I finally managed out.

She wasn't all that satisfied with my answer.

"You don't know?"

"umm..."

"You kissed me. That's what happened."

"Yeah, I know that."

"Well, why?"

I finally looked up and met her eyes.

"What the hell do you mean why?" I could feel myself getting frustrated.

"Well?"

"Because I fucking wanted to." I blurted out. Her face fell halfway to the ground.

"What?! That's your response?! You fucking wanted to?! You couldn't think of anything at least a little bit more appropriate or God forbid, sweet to say?! Just that you fucking wanted to?!"

She wasn't quite yelling, but ranting in more of a furious whisper. Still, it hit me hard. Before I could realize what I was saying, it slipped out.

"Well there goes my perfect first kiss!"

Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes were as wide as saucers. She just stared at me for the longest time in shock, and I finally presented her with my beet impression.

"That....that was your...I was your first kiss?"

I glanced at the God tree to my right, doing my best not to look in her eyes. Of course she wasn't going to take that as an answer so she grabbed my hair and yanked my eyes back to hers.

"Ow!"

"Tell me!"

"Yes, it was, now let go!" I pried her hands away and rubbed my sore scalp. That really hurt.

"But you're...older than me...and you, well you're you and-no. There's no way in the Seven hells that was your first kiss!"

"So what if I'm older? I told ya, I've never had a girlfriend, so get over it."

"I can't!"

"Why the fuck not?"

"Well I mean....Well you're really good!"

"Huh!?" Now that caught me off guard.

"You're really, really good.. I mean you're like pro or something.!"

"You mean that?..." I felt the flush returning.

"Fuck yes....otherwise I wouldn't be, well, on you right now."

I finally realized that she was in fact still on my lap. I felt myself become flustered the second she pointed it out.

"Kagome, I-um...Well, I hope I didn't scare you...I mean it's just this is my first time, you know, really....you know."

"You mean being intimate?"

"Well no, yes. Well I'm not sure..." She cocked her head, confused.

"Not sure? You either have or haven't."

"Well she was the experienced one. She kinda made the first move and all. She was older than me." I explained, glancing away shyly.

"Oh! Did she hurt you? How old were you?" She asked concerned and obviously jumping to the wrong conclusion.

"No, no, nothing like that. It was a long time ago, and I thought I was in love with her, but she just wanted something from me, just sex I guess. She... she was a lot older."

"How much older?"

"Well I was sixteen and she was ...34."

Her face froze in near horror.

"You almost had sex with a thirty-four year old woman!"

"Shhh! Yes....like I said, it was a long time ago, and it was a stupid situation. Do we

have to keep talking about this when we're like this?" I said the last part a little too harshly and saw a thinly veiled pout take over her face.

"Did you want me to move?" She asked, her voice small as she glanced away.

I smiled and led her face back to mine.

"No."

She smiled and murmured softly as she moved in to kiss me again.

"Neither do I."

"Well I fucking do!!" An angry voice called out from behind me. Kagome's head snapped up and I saw the most terrified look I'd ever seen anyone make in my life.

Just as I was about to turn around to see what she was so afraid of, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my head. Then everything went black.

Tbc…

DUN DUN DUUUUUUN!!!