The water was surprisingly cool, and delicious.

She took a breath, and sank, angling downwards, kicking with her legs. Below her, the water darkened the deeper it went, leading down until it became black.

Kagome swam, feeling her blood racing, the cool water raising little goosebumps on her skin.

When she felt the need to breathe, she rose towards the light, surfacing and taking a deep breath.
She shivered, but it felt good.

The wind that had been blowing for the last little while had suddenly become hot and dry, and now, bathing so early in the morning, it was wonderful to feel so chilly.

Kagome tread water, sinking for a moment, letting the water close in over her head again, then rose, running her fingers through her black hair. She wondered if she should wash it, then decided against. It hadn't actually been dirty, and the cool water would refresh it.

She dove under again, swimming downward, letting the cool water wash over her. She remained down there as long as she could, once again, and then rose to the surface, treading water.

She shivered, and then struck out for the shore. Kagome swam until she felt bottom, and then stood up, quickly splashing towards where her clothes and towels were laid out. She grabbed up a towel, quickly wrapping it around herself, and knelt, starting to dry her hair.

She was thinking about InuYasha.

He had come back last night, walking calmly towards the hut. She had been staying near the windows, on the look out, once the sun had risen.

When Kagome had gone inside Kaede's hut, she had found the others sitting there, talking. Kaede was not there, but her friends were.

Sango glanced up at her, about to speak, but the look on Kagome's face stopped the woman short, and she turned fully, "Kagome, what's wrong?"

"It's InuYasha," Kagome said, her voice shaky, "He's gone to talk to Master Akira because he turned into the demon again."

Miroku, Sango, and Shippo all turned, now, looking fully at her. Miroku spoke first, "What? What happened?"

"He...there was a demon going to attack the village, and InuYasha fought it, but he must have lost the Tetsusaiga and he turned into the demon, and when I showed up he attacked me, but I 'sat' him and he came back but he's so angry and he left to find Master Akira, and I...I..."

She started walking towards them, suddenly lurching slightly when she put her weight on her bad leg. They were up in seconds, moving towards her. Sango took her arm, "You were attacked? Are you badly hurt?"

"He's gone to Master Akira?" Miroku asked, turning towards the door, "Sango, may I have Kirara-"

"Of course," Sango said quickly, "Hurry, before he-"

"No," Kagome turned, looking at Miroku, "No, he wants to be alone."

"No, he needs a friend with him," the monk said, the little kitten already following him out, pushing back the door covering, "I'll go with him to Mas-"

"No, Miroku, please."

Miroku paused, looking back at Kagome, upset.

Kagome smiled at him, wanting to cry, but pushing the tears away. Their thoughts - their very first thoughts, had been for him. To aid him. Support him.

I love you all, so much.

"He told me he didn't want anyone with him. He's really upset, and he needs to be alone with this."

Miroku picked up Kirara, walking back into the hut, "I don't like the thoughts of him out there on his own. He hates himself so much when this happens."

"I know," Kagome said softly, "And thank you, Miroku. Your first instinct was to go out to support him."

Sango looked at Kagome, and spoke again, softly, "How badly are you hurt, Kagome?"

Kagome smiled, shaking her head, "Scratched and stuff, but nothing too bad. I 'sat' him. But he feels..."

Shippo, quiet through all this, spoke, "So you think Master Akira will be able to help him?"

"If anyone can," Miroku said, "It's Master Akira."

Kagome had sat up the entire night, unable to sleep, waiting. Miroku and Sango had as well, but as the night wore on, they had succumbed quietly, and she let them sleep.

They hadn't seen how upset InuYasha had been. If they had, they would have been as sleepless as her.
It had been very early that she had seen the crimson of his haori, as he walked calmly along the path to the village.

Kagome had stood up, pushing her way out of the hut, running towards him.

He had been ok.

When she had seen his face, she had known that somehow, everything was ok.

"InuYasha?!"

He had smiled at her, looking tired, but happy, "It's ok, Kagome. I'm ok now."

"What happened? What did Master Akira say? What did he do?"

InuYasha reached out, and took her hand, and gently squeezed it, "He's gone."

Kagome blinked, shocked, "Master Akira's gone!?"

"What? No, not Master Akira! Iki - the...other. The demon."

"It's...it's gone? What do you mean, it's gone? How is it gone?"

"I defeated it. Master Akira told me how to defeat it, and I did. He's gone now."
Kagome blinked at him a few times, confused. She didn't understand how InuYasha could have just gotten rid of a part of himself, but he seemed very sure.

"Good, I...I'm so glad, InuYasha."

He watched her, smiling, eyes soft. Before she could do or say anything, he had pulled her towards him, gently, and embraced her, holding her close, his arms not pulling her tight, but holding her gently, loosely yet firmly. His hands rested lightly on her back. Kagome stood there, not knowing what to do, not holding him back, but not fighting either. She had been completely taken off guard.

"You don't have to be afraid of him anymore, Kagome," he said softly.

Her face against his shoulder, she fought to try to know what to say, and spoke softly, "Thank you, InuYasha. It...was it hard?"

"Not really," he said, his voice soft, "I had something worth protecting, and that made me stronger than him."

Kagome opened her mouth, and closed it again, at a loss. She was startled he was being so open with her suddenly, and she wondered if it had been harder than he was letting on.

She was suddenly aware of how warm he was, even on this warm morning, and just how it felt to be held like that. Not tight, loosely, but carefully, as if she were fragile, a treasure.

Her arms raised on their own violition, slipping around him, and she suddenly found herself hugging him back. Her hands remembered where to rest.

I can't. I can't do this, he'll take this all the wrong way...

Kagome swallowed, and stepped back, pulling from him, looking away, "How was Master Akira? Was he good?"

There was silence for a second, but when he spoke, his voice was level, and calm, "He was good. Cranky as ever."

They had walked back inside, where the others were just waking up, and Miroku had insisted he sit down and tell them what had happened.

Kagome dropped her towel, quickly dressing.

Back in the forest, higher up in a tree, back in the shadows, the hanyou sat. He was glaring at his feet, a bright blush across his face, berating himself.

If she ever finds out, she'll kill you, you know that.

He hadn't meant to watch her bathe. He really hadn't.

InuYasha had watched Kagome leave early that morning, and as usual, had followed behind her a ways, simply planning on being nearby in case she needed him. He didn't like it when she went out to bathe in the river, anyone could just walk up and see her there, a naked woman in the middle of the water, and who knows what they'd try to do!

He had gone up into a tree, where he could just keep an eye on her out of the corner of his eye, near in case she screamed. He had been thinking about her, about when he had come back.

He had been wondering if they were awake or not, and she had pushed back the door covering, running towards him, face pale, eyes wide, searching his face, and he had stopped, just watching her, feeling his heart start to pound a little.

She had been so worried.

InuYasha had reached out, and remembering her face from that night, he had pulled her to him, and had held her. He hadn't been able to help himself, had just wanted to hold her.

And for a few minutes, she had held him back.

InuYasha had been about to speak, to start telling her what she meant to him, how much he missed her, when she pulled back.

Dissapointment surged in him, but he had let her go. Holding onto her would only have made things so much worse.

He had glanced over to where she was, and he had suddenly been looking right at her as she pulled her pjama top off over her head.

InuYasha had frozen, eyes wide. He wasn't near enough for her to see him, and he was back in the shadows, but he suddenly expected to be 'sat' 12 feet under. Seconds after that he suddenly realized she had no idea he was there...and that his vision was a lot better than hers at this distance.

He quickly turned his head, face feeling like it was on fire, staring wildly at the tree opposite him, panicked.

He swallowed, and leaned back against the tree, looking straight up into the branches. His heart was pounding so hard he knew she could hear it, there was no way she couldn't. After a second, though, curiosity got the worst of him...and he raised his head, and turned again.

Kagome had just finished kicking off her pants and underwear, and splashed out into the water, jumping, slicing into the water cleanly.

He stared.

Stop looking stop looking stop looking...

He couldn't.

It was physically impossible.

Up in the tree, he watched as she swam, occasionally diving under the water, her bottom rising as she dove, dissapearing from sight.

Her long black hair rippled under the water as she swam, her skin pale against the darkness of the water, her legs slicing cleanly as she moved.

She was so...round.

Over a year of running, fighting, using a bow, a sword...they had all toned her, rounded her, firmed her up.

Looking dazed, he watched, his face the same color as his haori, as she slowly rose to the surface, her hair spreading out around her like some water spirit. She raised her hands, eyes closed, running her fingers through her hair, water curling against her belly, breasts above the water. He could see the Shikon, the Bloodstone, and a glint of something gold - his pendant. Kagome stayed in one place, gracefully treading water for a few minutes, before diving under again.

InuYasha was suddenly, horribly aware of just how badly he wanted to join her.

Kagome rose again, and swam towards the shore. When she reached the shallows, she stood, and splashed towards the shore.

And oh Gods she bounced...

He watched, helpless, as she moved to where her things were put out, and wrapped herself with a long towel, and knelt, starting to dry herself off.

InuYasha had his hands in fists, looking so dazed. He knew he shouldn't look, he knew it, but how could he not?

She was...she was...

He continued to watch, silent, feeling horribly guilty and yet completely unable to look away, as she dropped the towel, and started dressing. InuYasha was suddenly swamped with sensations he really didn't need at that moment. Remembering her in her world not that long ago, kissing him, wearing only her bra, sitting on his belly, the full roundness pressing against him...

That time in her world, when they had been out to that weird place, and that woman had put something in his drink...he had been like he was drunk, and...

He had started kissing her neck, and had brought his hands around and...

The feel of Kagome in his hands, how her back had arched slightly...

His face burned hotter when he suddenly realized his own body was starting to react now, to watching her, and remembering...

InuYasha watched her leave, relieved when she walked out of sight, because he was suddenly, badly, in need of cold water.

Kagome was surprised to return to the hut and find him gone, but she guessed he was just out, possibly bathing as well. She was glad they hadn't run into each other, that would have been awkward.

She knew she was right when he returned, squeaky clean, his hair damp. When Kagome asked him if he had had a nice bath he had thanked her, but turned away, turning bright red. She wasn't sure what that was about, maybe he thought she had seen him or something?

"So, what do we have planned for today?" Miroku asked.

"I'm thinking about heading to my village," Sango said quietly, "If no one has any objections."

"Why would we object?" Miroku smiled.

Sango looked at the hanyou, "InuYasha, are...you sure you're...feeling ok?"

InuYasha suddenly blinked, "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine, why?"

"Well, I..." she shrugged, "After what happened, I...I don't want to just up and leave if..."

InuYasha blinked, and Kagome saw him suddenly start, "No, I'm fine. You go. I don't expect you to just...hang around if I was feeling funny, Sango."

Sango smiled sweetly at him, "I know you don't expect it, ani, but I don't want to go if you're not feeling well."

Kagome raised her cup, taking a quick drink to hide her smile at the demon-slayer's use of 'ani'. InuYasha blinked, startled, but he shook his head quickly, "No. No, go and see Kohaku and your village! It's good, go!"

Kagome smiled down into her cup. Sango's use of 'big brother' still startled the hanyou.

"You can come as well, you know," Sango suddenly said, "You should visit us. Look around, see the place now that it's completed."

InuYasha considered it, but shook his head, "Next time, I'll go."

Sango nodded.

"Alright," she said, and looked at Miroku, "Are...you coming?"

Miroku looked pleased, and stood, smiling gently at her, "I will, thank you. I would like to see Kohaku again. He's certainly growing like a weed."

"Can I come?" Shippo asked eagerly.

Sango laughed, "Of course, come on."

Kagome watched as the demon-slayer, monk, and kitsune walked out after packing their bags, chatting lightly about Sango's little brother.

InuYasha walked over, and sat by the fire-pit, poking a few small sticks into the fire. They didn't need one for heat or light, but he wanted to keep the kettle warm for tea.

"So, how does it feel to be called big brother?" Kagome asked.

InuYasha blinked at her, and surprised her by blushing. He looked back to the fire, poking at it a few more times, and shrugged.

Kagome smiled, and leaned forward, "Hmmmmmmm?"

He kept his eyes on the fire, and put in another few sticks, "It's...weird."

"Mm-hmm."

"And...nice."

Kagome smiled.

He glanced up at her, meeting her eyes over the fire, and suddenly smiled, actually managing to look shy.

"You'll get used to it, in time." Kagome said.

InuYasha nodded, and looked back at the fire. Truth to be told...it felt great. When he had called Sango imouto, it had felt...strange, but nice, too. He had never thought he would ever call someone little sister.

"So what do you have planned for today?" Kagome asked.

InuYasha leaned back, and shrugged, "Nothing, you?"

"Nope," Kagome stretched her legs out, "Guess we'll have to find some way to occupy ourselves."

InuYasha's face suddenly bloomed red, and he quickly turned, rummaging in his bag for some tea.
Kagome didn't notice.

This is what happens you peek! InuYasha cursed himself, You become a moron later! Learn from it!

"No herbs to collect. DarkWind is visiting Tristar." Kagome lightly touched her chest, where the Bloodstone rested under her shirt.

"He's spending a lot of time there," InuYasha said, pouring out some hot water into a cup.

"They definately had something, once."

InuYasha blinked, looking at Kagome sharply. The kettle shifted, and boiling hot water splashed out over his hand. He cursed loudly, dropping both the cup and the kettle, the small cup shattering on the floor.

"InuYasha!"

Hissing in pain, InuYasha darted from the hut, flying towards the river, where he ran out up to his ankles, and plunged his hand into the swift moving, chill water.

"Damnit!" he cursed, the pain swelling and throbbing.

"InuYasha!"

He looked over his shoulder to see Kagome running towards the river, not nearly as fast as he was, holding her first aid kit in her hand, "Let me see it!"

"It'll be fine," he called back to her, cursing under his breath.

"No, let me see, that's a bad burn! That water's not cold enough, come in!"

Hissing, he stood up, looking at his hand. There was a furious-looking red mark on his hand, and his fingers trembled. A blister was threatening to form.

He splashed up to the shore, and stood, holding out his hand. Kagome grabbed his wrist, turning his hand, and he was suddenly startled to see tears in her eyes.

"Kagome, what's wrong!?"

"What do you mean what's wrong?! You just spilled boiling water-!" she stopped, looking at his hand.

InuYasha watched her as she looked embarassed, "Sometimes I forget you're hanyou," she said, shaking her head at herself, "I expected that to be so much worse than this."

She opened the first aid kit, and took out a small white package. He watched, curious, as she took it in both hands, suddenly twisting it violently. Then she gave it a shake, and put it on his hand, against the burn.

InuYasha blinked as the small white package was suddenly ice cold against his hand.

"What is that?"

"Cold pack."

"But there's no ice!"

"No, it's some sort of chemical-thing. You break it and it mixes with something else and gets cold. I thought you would need it...I should have known you'd just shrug this off."

"I...I'm not really shrugging it off," he said lamely, not wanting her to suddenly stop. He always enjoyed it when she fussed over him.

"Here, sit down."

He knelt before her, watching as she took out several little bottles of this and that, opening a few bandages.

InuYasha suddenly looked at her, "What about you, how are you doing?"

Kagome blinked at him.

InuYasha leaned back, holding the little cold package against his hand, "I mean, the...the things I gave you."

"Oh, those."

"Don't make light of it, damnit."

"Look, stop fussing over them. They'll heal. I know you're upset over what happened, but they were small. They were scratches and scrapes and-"

"Holes," he growled lowly, "Claw-holes."

"Neat and tidy claw-holes," she added firmly, "Besides, you saw them, you know they're fine."

InuYasha leaned back, face flushing, eyes wide, "I didn't see them! What are you talking about!?"

Kagome blinked at him, arching a brow, "Oh? You put lotion and band-aids on them without looking at them? That's a neat skill."

InuYasha blinked at her a second, "Oh. Yeah. I...I..."

Kagome started giggling, "You thought I was accusing you of something else? When did you have time?"

"How long is this supposed to be on!?" he asked wildly, needing to change the subject, badly.

"Let me see."

She leaned over, and removed the small white package. Kagome blinked.

There was a smallish blister starting to form on the back of his hand.

"Wow. That's probably not even worth a band-aid. Ug. I'm jealous."

"It was the cold," he said quickly, "The cold kept the blister from forming."

Kagome laughed, and picked up a little spray bottle. She gave it a few shakes, and sprayed something on the back of his hand. It caused the blister to feel cooler.

"That's all you need, probably. I'll put a band-aid on it just to keep the blister from bursting. It'll heal better if you leave the blister there."

He watched as she put a large band-aid over the blister, patting it gently, "There."

InuYasha smiled at her, "Thank you, Kagome."

She smiled at him, and started packing up the kit again.

InuYasha suddenly thought about something. If they were alone...really and honestly alone...maybe...maybe this would be a good time to try and...talk to her.

We're alone. No one can interrupt us. DarkWind's gone. She can't go looking for Miroku or Sango. She said she didn't have to go for herbs.

A plan started to form.

If I can get her away from the village, just the two of us...go for a walk or something. Or a...a picnic. Kagome's always wanting a picnic.

The way she looked at me that night. And the way she held me, and...she let me hold her, twice now. I can start talking, and...and she...she'll listen. Right? Yeah. That sounds good.

InuYasha blinked at her as she started to stand up, and he stood up quickly, "Let's go for a walk!"

Kagome blinked at him, "What?"

"Let's just...go for a walk! In the forest!"

"You...you want to go for a walk?"

"Yeah, why not? It's not raining or anything! You said yourself there wasn't anything else to do!"

"Well, yeah, but-"

"Come on it'll be fun!" he grabbed her wrist, apparently preparing to just pull her forward along the path if he had to.

"I...alright," Kagome cocked a brow at him, but laughed. InuYasha was obviously feeling good after being victorious over his inner demon.

InuYasha let her wrist go when she fell into place beside him, knowing that right now he shouldn't take her hand. Not yet. Later. Later when they were talking.

Suddenly, a stray thought crept into his mind. When they were alone, talking, and when he told her how he still felt, and that he knew that she felt the same way, and everything was working out, then...then...maybe he'd kiss her, and...kissing...might...lead...

He suddenly remembered her in the water, naked, hands in her hair, eyes closed.

Not now! he yelled at himself, at his hormones, First we talk! We talk! That's later! Much later!

"Sooo..." Kagome said, not sure what to say.

InuYasha looked at her, and realized he didn't have anything to start talking about. Not yet.

"How...how are your studies coming along?"

"Good, actually. I'm not having as much trouble this year as last. It's going to be easier."

"Good," he said, meaning it, "You won't panic as much, hopefully."

They moved through some shadows, a few birds moving across the path. InuYasha watched them, and suddenly felt a brief burst of sorrow. He still missed Izumi.

"I did panic a lot last year, didn't I?" Kagome laughed.

"You could say that," he said, wryly.

"Well, with my better luck, things should go a lot easier. Besides, the tutoring will be a big help."

InuYasha suddenly scowled at the path ahead of him. The last thing he wanted to talk about right now was Yoshijo.

"I'll have to head back home in a little while, though," she said, interrupting him, "I need some new clothes."

InuYasha glanced at her. Today she was wearing a bright purple T-shirt and what she called 'trackpants', "Why, what's wrong with those?"

"I..." she suddenly blushed, looking ahead to the path.

InuYasha blinked, "Kagome?"

"I just need new clothes. Some of my old things don't fit right anymore."

Once again, images came to his head, images he really didn't want right now, they were too damn distracting!

"Don't...fit?" he asked weakly, flushing, images in his head, "Are they...too tight?"

He suddenly realized, as soon as the words were out, what he had said, and he stopped, horrified. Did I actually just ask-?

Kagome, unfortunately, took it the wrong way. She turned, glaring at him.

"Are you saying I'm fat!?"

He looked at her, eyes wide, panicked, "What!? No! I didn't mean that!"

"Then what was that crack supposed to mean!?"

"It didn't mean anything!" he squawked, "I didn't mean anything, it was stupid, it just came out, I'm sorry!"

"I am not fat!"

"I know, I know, I didn't mean it! That was just what I thought you were saying! You're not fat at all! You're skinny!"

Kagome suddenly blinked.

"I..not skinny!" he cried, looking like he was expecting the gates of hell to open up and attack, "I didn't mean skinny, you're not skinny either! You're perfect!"

Kagome blinked again, now blushing brightly.

"I...uh..th-...thanks."

He stared at her, as if expecting her to grow fangs and take his head off, terrified, watching as she blushed. He swallowed, watching as she turned, and started along the path again. Cautiously, he fell into step beside her.

Gods Above I have to be more careful! If she ever finds out I saw her...

Kagome was trying to calm herself down. She had reacted badly to his words, but what was she supposed to think? What on earth had he meant by being too big?

"..You're perfect!"

She fought the blush that threatened to stay. She certainly had never expected to hear him say that!

He had told her she was beautiful, once, but...to say she was perfect...

Ok, calm down. Relax. Deep breath. He's not doing anything, he's just being polite.

"Anyway...so...um. Yeah. New clothes."

"Well, that's good, right? I mean, you like shopping, don't you?"

"Sometimes. Sometimes it's annoying. I..." she glanced at him, "Do you want to come with me?"

InuYasha blinked, "When you buy clothes!?"

"No!" she laughed, "I mean to visit!"

"Well...I...I do, sometimes, right?"

"Yeah, I just meant...where Seiki is looking for you now...if you think it's a good idea..."

He suddenly felt angry, and it showed in his voice, "I'm not letting that jerk stop me from visiting you in your world, Kagome. I won't run around your city like I used to, but I'm not - "

He looked at her, worried, "You...it's ok, isn't it? I mean, you don't mind?"

"Why would I mind, you're always coming over!"

"I mean, now that Seiki..."

Kagome turned, and looked at him firmly, "Inu-Yasha! You heard my grandpa! We're not letting anyone tell us who we can or can't have at our house! You're my friend and you are always welcome there, anytime! Don't you let any worry about him stop you from coming over!"

He paused, watching her, and spoke softly, "Thank you."

Kagome looked at him, and nodded, looking ahead again, "Of course."

They walked on.

The day grew a little warmer. The birds sang, and a few flowers dared show their faces in the low, dry grass.

InuYasha looked at them, and suddenly wondered if he should actually go and get them for her. Women liked flowers. And he had picked some for her before, once. Maybe he should do it again? But maybe that would make her too uneasy? He didn't want her uneasy, if he was going to talk to her, he wanted her to be relaxed.

Ok. No flowers, that's fine. If things worked out, he'd get them for her after.

Have we come far enough? Maybe I could just get her to sit down for a bit, and start talking? How do I start? How do I bring it up?

The river re-appeared, gurgling lowly, and he grasped at it's presence.

"Hey look," he turned, walking towards it, "It's...um...those...flower things..."

Kagome blinked at InuYasha's back, starting to walk behind him. Flowers?

InuYasha was noticing flowers?

She suddenly started wondering just how much InuYasha may have changed now that his inner demon had been chained.

Kagome walked over and stood beside him, "Oh. Water-lillies. Yeah."

"They're rare, aren't they?"

"Water-lillies?" Kagome looked at him in confusion, "No, they're pretty common, actually."

"Oh."

Kagome frowned, "InuYasha, are you alright?"

He blinked, looking at her, "What?"

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, why!?"

"You're acting sort of funny."

"No I'm not, I'm fine!"

"Maybe we should head back to Kaede's?"

"No, let's..let's sit here for a bit." He startled her by suddenly plopping down on the riverbank, dangling his legs over the side, looking up at her. He seemed awfully nervous, and Kagome started to grow a little worried. He wasn't acting like himself at all. He'd been acting sort of strange all morning, come to think of it.

InuYasha patted the ground next to him, "Come on, sit down."

"Ok..." Kagome sat beside him, dangling her legs over the edge as well, lightly swinging her legs. Well, whatever it was, she was sure he was fine.

InuYasha looked out over the water, peering at her from the corner of his eye.

The purple of her shirt seemed extra vibrant in the sunlight, and her hair took on that hue he loved so much, just like ink, faint blue glints in them. He suddenly remembered how it rippled out behind her as she swam, and he found himself speechless for a second.

Ok. Ok. You can do this. But how to bring it up? If I just start talking, she'll get angry. I have to try and sneak it into the conversation...

Nothing.

There has to be something to talk about, anything! Think! Just pick something!

"You said DarkWind and Tristar had something?"

Unseen by Kagome, InuYasha suddenly slapped a hand to his face, What are you, stupid!? Not him, don't talk about DarkWind!

"Yeah," she said, "I think she was the one we saw when we saw his past, remember? There was one like him...and he never came out and said anything, but I think he likes her."

InuYasha lowered his hand, watching her closely, "How...how do you feel about that?"

Kagome looked out over the water, and shrugged.

He blinked, ears flicking. She shrugged? That was good, wasn't it? She wasn't upset? If she felt more about him than a friend she'd be upset, wouldn't she?

"Well..." he didn't know what to say, "I guess it's good he has someone."

"I guess."

She seemed...uncomfortable.

Not good.

"I...I didn't thank you for the gift you gave me." he said, looking into the water.

Kagome looked at him, "What?"

InuYasha touched the Tetsusaiga, where it sat at his hip. She saw the sheath strap, and smiled, "You don't have to thank me. I'm glad I could find you something for your birthday. You're not exactly easy to shop for, you know."

"It...it means a lot to me." he said quietly.

She smiled, "It's fine, honest."

Suddenly remembering something from that morning, a faint glint of gold, he shifted. InuYasha lightly trailed his toes in the water below, just able to touch it, "You're still wearing the sword pendant I gave you."

Kagome looked at him, quietly, and nodded, "I said I would. As a friend, remember?"

"Yeah..."

Swallowing, steeling himself, he turned, and looked at her.

"Kagome...I..." he faltered, not sure how to start, what to say.

Kagome looked at him, and blinked, suddenly seeing the look in his eyes. She panicked.

"We should be getting back." She leaned back, putting one foot on the ground, to start standing.

InuYasha grabbed her hand, "No, wait. I just want to talk-"

"Well I don't," she said quickly, "We'll be late."

"Late for what? Kagome, please, just listen to me."

"No, I don't want to listen."

She stood, and he stood quickly too, keeping a hold of her hand, "Please, Kagome, just listen to me."

"I really don't want to listen, InuYasha!" she said, her voice going shrill. She was starting to panic. Kagome turned, trying to pull her hand back, but he kept it, firm.

"Kagome, you know I still love you!" he said, moving around her to stand in front of her, blocking her way, but trying to get her to look at him, too.

"Please, InuYasha, I don't want to hear this!"

"You're starting to feel it too, Kagome!"

"No I'm not!" she said, keeping her eyes firmly on the ground, trying hard to pull back her arm.

"Yes you are! You let me hold you, Kagome, in that cave! You held me when I needed you!"

"I'm just your friend, InuYasha!"

"You weren't looking at me like a friend the other night!" he yelled, "I know what I saw, Kagome! Look at me!"

"Let go of my arm!"

"Please, just look at me! Look me in the eye and tell me you don't care for me as more than a friend!"

"InuYasha!"

"You can't, can you!?"

"Yes I can! Let me go! Just let me go!"

He opened his mouth to speak, when suddenly a brilliant light bloomed on the opposite side of the river, like a mini sun. They both stopped, shocked, turning towards it, their fight forgotten, when a massive fireball came blasting through the forest, hurtling straight at them.

Kagome turned, to lunge aside, but she was quickly scooped up, and they were airborn. Kagome heard the impact of the fireball strike the riverbank where they had been standing moments before.

InuYasha landed, back from the riverbank, and they both looked, shocked, at the blackened hole that was gouged and burned into the riverbank. A smell of scorched earth filled the air.

"What the hell!?" InuYasha hollared.