This strange, but beautiful girl had done it.

Without even trying, she'd snuck into the deepest, darkest corners of his heart, warming them up until even he could not deny the light. The face he once looked at and saw Kikyo was gone, replaced with the face that belonged to her and only to her; despite the striking similarities, he alone could see the vast differences. The softness to her eyes, the gentleness of her smile, and the feel of her hair against his skin. It was all different and it was all marvelous.

They had not been together all that long yet but ready Inuyasha could feel the pull towards her. He found himself wanting to be closer to her, found that more than anything else, he wanted to protect her. And that was what he'd done tonight, despite the moon taking away his demon abilities. He was as human as she was. It was strange, typically during the new moon he hid himself away from the world- she was the first person he'd ever revealed his human face to in his whole life. But as most things did with Kagome, it felt easy to be vulnerable with her, to show her a side to him others were not privy to. And what was more... She had cried for him that night.

Inuyasha had not experienced the tears of anyone since his mother had been alive, there had been no one who cared enough for his existence to do so. Seeing her tears had woke something up inside of him that was new and warm, a feeling he really couldn't describe even within his own heart and mind.

Above him she hovered, murmuring quietly to herself as she rummaged in the bag beside her. Inuyasha was too tired to open his eyes, but he was certain if he did it would be her face that he saw. The pain was strong, enhanced due to his weak, human body, and he knew a fever had taken control. That was when he felt it, the cool, smooth feel of her palm against his forehead, the contact sending chills down his spine. "Oh, he's burning up..." She spoke aloud this time, her voice soft with the obvious concern she felt. Concern she felt for him. For him. That in itself was enough to force him to open his eyes, where sure enough he found himself to be looking up into her big brown eyes. "Inuyasha! I'm sorry, did I wake you...?" She drew her hand back, a slip of cloth clutched between her fingers.

"No..." He spoke despite the pain and turned his head away, closing his eyes again for a long moment. "Kagome?" At the sound of her name, she jumped, and Inuyasha opened his eyes, though his head was still turned away. "Why were you... Crying?" Kagome didn't speak at first and so he turned to finally look at her, taking in the sight of her surprised expression.

Of all things, Kagome had not expected him to ask her such a thing.

During their time together, she supposed in a way they had become closer. How could they not after all the time they spent together? Though he annoyed her beyond belief, she had to admit that she had indeed developed a fondness for the half-demon. Of course she would cry for him, when she had worried he would lose his life. Inuyasha seemed unstoppable, she truly had thought him to be so, but then the new moon had come and changed that all. He had almost died to save her, without hesitation, without a second thought. That meant something, that Kagome was certain of. "You mean in the other room?" She asked quietly, leaning over him a bit further, the tips of her hair trailing across his chest. "It's because I thought I was going to lose you." She admitted as worry settled onto her face, meeting his golden-eyed gaze. "I thought you were going to die."

Listening to her speak, Inuyasha felt his heart skip a beat; her words would be burned into his mind forever. "You cried for me, shed tears for me..." He spoke, almost in disbelief, his head turned back away from her. In truth, in this moment he felt closer to her than he had ever felt to anyone in all his life. Even Kikyo. What he felt right then was so unlike any feeling he had ever experienced. It gave him the strength to continue speaking, saying words he never once thought he'd say to anyone, let alone her. "Kagome, if it's not too much trouble to ask... Could I lay on your lap?" Beside him, Inuyasha could hear her soft intake of breath as she took in his words, but it was only a moment later that he felt the warmth of her hands upon his body. She maneuvered him gently, but quickly, to a position against her legs that eased the tension of his aching body.

"There, does that feel better than before?" She asked him when she had settled him into place, his head resting against her thighs. Shivers were crawling up her spine- they had never been this close before. Well, without him complaining at least. But feeling the warmth of his body against hers, feeling the weight of his head against her legs... It felt... Right. Kagome felt a blush warming her cheeks as she settled back, thinking about how odd it was that they'd come this far together.

In truth, it felt better than anything ever had in all of his life. Perhaps it was his weakened state, but Inuyasha felt compelled to speak the truth for once. "Kagome, you smell kind of nice..." He felt her stiffen, heard her sharp intake of breath as she took in the words that he was saying to her.

"Okay, that's it, you've made it a point to tell me that you couldn't stand my scent!" She broke in, sounding flustered, a sound that at any other time would have brought a smile to his lips. He enjoyed frustrating her, honestly. Besides, right then he wanted to be honest with her. He wanted her to know the truth of his heart, even just a piece of it. He could feel himself growing weaker, the comfort brought by his new place against her lap easing him back into the world of sleep. That and he knew the night was almost over... Soon the sun would rise and his demon side would return. He wanted her to know that his hateful tones and spiteful words had never been because of her but because of who she reminded him of. That his rude words in regards to her looks and her scent had only been because of how much she reminded him of Kikyo, but now that he knew the real Kagome, he no longer felt those dark feelings. But rather... Felt warm and hell, he liked having her around. But the dark world of unconsciousness was about to claim him, so perhaps all those things were words for another time, another place. So instead he opened his mouth and spoke the only words he could bring himself to say.

"I know... But I was lying."

Kagome knew he'd drifted off to sleep before she could respond, but his words left her heart beating faster than ever. A crimson stain warmed her cheeks and she caught her breath, looking down at him there in her lap, his head turned in towards her. She forced herself to keep from reaching out to touch his cheek and rather leaned back against the wall, settling in to remain there until morning. There wasn't much she could do for Inuyasha- she wasn't strong and she wasn't skilled in much, but at least this she could do for him. At least she could offer him some comfort in his moment of weakness. That she could and would always do for him.