It had turned bitterly cold as the seasons changed from autumn to winter. Almost everything in sight had disappeared in hopes of out running the frost that was hot on their tales. However a small group had braved the cold winter world. The small fire they had built flickered, reflecting its warmth to those that were close. Tiny snores could be heard within the small campsite, giving those awake a small amount of comfort that they were still alive. Only one of the six was awake, and he was deep within thoughts.

The silver haired hanyou balanced skillfully on the thick branch above, his hands crammed into his sleeves in hopes of keeping them warm. For even hanyou's got cold every now and then. His golden eyes scanned the night sky, staring in silent awe at the billions of stars above, watching as they twinkled with all their wondrous glory.

But his mind wandered and he lost interest in the stars. Instead his thoughts took him to a certain miko. How her brown eyes captured his soul and made his heart melt. How her silken raven hair shined so beautifully in the sun. Everything about her made his knees go weak. His clawed fingers twitched in anticipation. He couldn't wait till she was his and his alone.

But as always in his troubled life, there was a complication. The other miko that was in his life. Who also had deep brown eyes that he couldn't stop gazing into, as well as raven hair that he wanted to run his fingers through at every chance he got. He knew it was unfair of him to keep them both, but choosing was just to difficult. How could he? One shared his past, the other held his future.

A hacking cough caught his attention and his gaze lowered to said future holder. The miko girl rolled onto her back in her sleep, her features crumpled in what looked like pain. Tiny trails of tears that has escaped within her sleep softly rolled down her cheeks, landing with only a plop he could he against the dirt floor. Her hand fist-ed tightly in her shirt over hear heart.

This had become a repeated thing as of late. In moments she would sit up, gasping for air and hacking coughs would rack her form and she would no doubt have another nose bleed. And just like that she did. Sighing gently, Inuyasha jumped down from his treetop bed and landed with a quiet thud next to Kagome. His sudden appearance made her jump, a little squeal piercing his ears.

"I- cough -nuyasha!" she cried, a pinkish hue casting over her cheeks while she roughly pressed her hanky onto her bloody nose "You scared me."

"Keh" he scoffed, slightly offended that she was, how ever small, scared of him "What's wrong with you anyways? Why does this always happen?"

Her gaze cast downward as she fiddled with the hem of her sleeves.

"Come o-" he stopped abruptly when a scent reached his nose. Anticipation filled his heart and a shine appeared within his orbs. None going unnoticed by Kagome.

"Go"

"Eh?"

"I know she's here." Kagome mumbled "We share a soul remember?" she continued, a hint of anger in her voice until a wave of scratchy coughs assaulted her.

The hanyou boy was stuck. Could he really leave when Kagome obviously needed him? She looked terrible. Her skin was pale and a light sweat had formed on her skin like a second layer. Her voice was raspy and her breath was ragged. He should stay and help her get well. But he hadn't seem Kikyo in such a while that his heart pined for her. The love he had for his undead miko was just to much to ignore. He needed to see her. Casting her a look filled with his apology he stood only to stop and look down at Kagome again. She looked so heartbroken at that moment he wondered how he could be so cruel as to leave. The scent of salty tears slammed into him like someone had used a tree to bat him across a huge field. But then it stopped. Looking up she smiled one of her best smiles "Im totally fine so go."

If he was to go, he had to leave now.

One side if his heart pinned for Kikyo, his first love. While the other side begged him to stay, to help Kagome get better.

"Just...Go..." Kagome said quietly, her gaze settled on her folded hands.

And just like that he left. A few leaves twirled in the breeze left behind by his hasty retreat. A shudder ran through the young girls body. Her chest was constricting and her head was pounding. She really aught to get back home, but they were so far from the well and she wanted to finish the task at hand. It would be a wasted journey otherwise.

Her shoulders shook with another attack of coughs. Tears sprang to her eyes at the pain in her throat.

"Kagome, are you alright?" came Sango's voice, slumber still evident in her tone.

Smiling lightly through her fits of coughs she waved her hand nonchalantly.

"Im...Fine" she breathed "Just a cold is all, i think."

"Would you like me to make you some herbal medicine? Help ease the pain?" the taijiya replied, her eyes reflected her concern "That is an awful cough you've got."

Only then did the elder girl notice the bloody, still dripping slowly from Kagome's nostril.

"Another nose bleed?" her eyebrows crashing in concern "Maybe we should go back, see what Kaede can do to help"

"Im fine, honestly." Kagome stated, her tone ending the conversation "I just need some sleep, i will be fine by morning, you'll see."

Nodding in agreement, if only for arguments sake, Sango laid down and slowly drifted back to sleep. Resting a hand on her chest, Kagome sighed in displeasure. She hated lying to them all. But what else could she do?

Hello again! I had a dream about this and decided i was going to make it into a fic, so i hope you enjoy it and give me lots of reviews! I do so enjoy reading what you all think!