Disclaimer: Inuyasha doesn't belong to me. Takahashi-Sama is a legend.


"Inuyasha, sit!" The hanyou slammed into the earth with a squawk of pain. Shippo let out an impish cackle of glee, pouncing on Inuyasha's fish and gulping down as much as he could before the spell wore off.

"Kagome…" Inuyasha growled, prying his face from the dirt, "I'm getting real sick of this."

"And we're getting real sick of your attitude!" Kagome shot back, "We get it, you're hungry! So are we! Quit beating up Shippo and bossing us around!" Brown eyes met amber. Sango and Miroku sighed, calmly eating their meals. They'd long given up trying to mediate; it seemed all they did recently was bicker and the only thing to do was let them fight it out. Inuyasha spoke first, spitting out the words like venom.

"Fine, I'm going to get my own dinner. And if any demons attack, see how well you do without me!" He stomped away until he'd put a few feet between himself and the campsite. He paused, as if waiting for someone to protest. When nothing came, he sprinted into the dark woods. When he was no long in sight. Kagome seemed to deflate, scrubbing at her face and huffing loudly. Pointedly not looking at anyone, she picked up her charred fish and nibbled on it. She'd been so busy fighting with Inuyasha that her fish was almost burned to a crisp. After three bites, she sighed in defeat.

"Kagome?" Sango asked gently, "Are you alright?"

"I guess," She mumbled.

"Would you like me to go look for him?" Miroku offered. Kagome shook her head, breath hitching.

"No. Thank you. I need to take a walk." Sango looked like she wanted to object, but Miroku placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't go too far," He cautioned, "Inuyasha will have all our heads if you're gone when he gets back." Kagome nodded absent-mindedly. Shippo watched her go, wide eyes filled with hurt. He somehow felt like this was his fault.


Kagome didn't know where she was going, she just kept in a straight line. Her mind was an endless frustrated rant.

Stupid Inuyasha. Who died and put you in charge? I had some extra snacks to give you, if you'd just calmed down and listened for once. But that's too much to ask, isn't it? We have to do everything your way! God forbid us weak humans need to stop and rest, oh no! Can't do that without negotiating it for half an hour. Argh! Inuyasha you're so exhausting!

Lights up ahead caught her attention. Her heart sank in realization. Those shining fish-like demons only ever meant one thing. And that's all she needed right now. She stopped, frozen in place.

I should turn back. I really don't want to see the two of them together right now. But…I kind of want to know…is he lying when he says all they do is talk?

It was wrong, it was petty and she was going to feel terrible about it later, but Kagome gave in to her curiosity and snuck to the edge of the forest, crouching down to hide in the bushes. Pushing some leaves aside as quietly as she could, Kagome peered through.

The undead priestess was nestled at the bottom of a large tree, surrounded by the glowing lights of dead souls. Her head was bowed, long raven hair cascading over her shoulders. Kagome felt a twinge of jealousy. She knew that she didn't and never could have Kikyo's ethereal beauty. But something was missing. A loud, annoying, silver-haired something. Kagome's eyes widened, trying to calm her racing heart.

"Spying on me?" Kikyo called to her, not bothering to open her deep brown eyes, "How childish." Kagome stood and walked into the clearing, trying to look calm despite the leaves in her hair and the dirt on her palms.

"I wasn't spying." Kagome insisted, "I was just making sure you were ok and then I was going to leave." Inwardly, she winced. That didn't even sound convincing to her, let alone Kikyo. Kikyo's eyes narrowed and a sly smile tugged at her lips.

"I see. In that case, I have something to say to you before you go." Without waiting for a response, she continued.

"I couldn't help but notice, the beads of subjugation around Inuyasha's neck." Kagome gasped.

"Y-you know what they are?" She stammered.

"Of course." Kikyo replied coolly, "Who do you think it was, that made the rosary in the first place? Tell me, what word do you use?"

Kagome's cheeks were burning. How was this woman able to make her feel so small, so easily?

"Sit." She answered. Kikyo chuckled, sending shivers up Kagome's spine.

"How fitting, you do treat him like a dog after all." Kagome felt her body go cold. Even if she could have thought of a defense, Kikyo didn't give her the opportunity.

"I pity him, being chained to the likes of you. You claim to care for him as I do, yet you subdue him whenever he displeases you. Do you enjoy controlling him?" Kagome's initial shock quickly turned to anger.

"It's not like that! I don't control him! He can," She stopped herself, the sentence ringing false in her ears.

"Take off the necklace then, if you're so confident." Kikyo challenged her. "See what happens to your relationship when you truly let him 'do whatever he wants'. Kagome's hands clenched into fists by her sides.

"I will!" She shouted, hating herself for rising to the bait. The leaves rustled behind her and both women turned.

Inuyasha had arrived, looking confused and more than a little wary.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Nothing," Kikyo said smoothly, "I was simply resting and Kagome came to check on me. I'll be moving on now." The soul collectors twisted around her, lifting her into the air. Kagome felt her stomach clench at the way Inuyasha's eyes stayed fixed to her until she disappeared. A moment of awkward silence passed.

"I uh, came to get you." Inuyasha said.

"Sure, you did." Kagome replied, unable to keep the anger from her voice. "I'm sure you no idea Kikyo was here." She didn't need to look at him to know he'd turned red. Forcing her gaze down, she stormed past him. Wisely, Inuyasha followed her without a word.


Getting back to the camp was incredibly awkward. Sango and Miroku were instantly aware of the tension in the air, but that was no surprise. Thankfully, Shippo had already drifted off to sleep, cuddled up in Kirara's warm fur. His input would likely not be helpful right now.

Inuyasha sat down next to the fire and closed his eyes. A silent "don't ask" if Miroku had ever saw one. Sango kept her attention on Kagome, chocolate brown eyes concerned. But, now wasn't the time. Kagome's nerves were shot, Sango could see that in the way her friend wouldn't make eye contact with anyone, and how her hands shook when unrolling her sleeping bag. She'd ask tomorrow. Chances were Kagome would ask to ride on Kirara rather than Inuyasha's back. Same song, different verse.

What felt like hours passed and Kagome could not fall asleep. Kikyo's voice taunted her.

Sit. You treat him like a dog. A pity he has to be chained to you.

Take off the necklace then, if you're so confident.

Kagome was surprised by the urge she felt to slap the woman in the face. Anything to shake that collected, condescending attitude.

She sat up, turning to face Inuyasha. He seemed deeply asleep, oddly enough. Could it be that their fighting was just as tiring for him as it was for her?

Of course not.

She watched him sleep, frozen with indecision. She'd told Kikyo she'd take off the necklace.

"I'm afraid." Kagome whispered. The fear finally pushed her to action.

I'll know for sure, this way. She told herself. If he leaves…better now than later?

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Kagome crawled towards him and gently, carefully lifted the necklace over his head.

TBC


A/N: I just realized that Kikyo never commented on Inuyasha having the beads on, especially after she made them and then decided she felt bad tricking him. Stay tuned for the next one!