One

The first early rays of light told Kagome that it was morning. Soon after, the first sounds of birds' cries rose up from the bushes and trees. Life slowly returned from the night's stillness with the coming of the sun.

The encampment seemed to be the only exception. One look around told Kagome that she was the only person awake so far. Sango and Miroku were burried in their respective blankets that she had brought for them; Kirara was curled up next to Sango; and, Shippo was snuggled in her arms, and he looked quite content.

Inuyasha... She lazily looked up to the half-demon that was keeping her safe in his loving embrace. He held her as though she were a child, bit that did not bother her.

In the past five months she and Inuyasha became closer than she could ever have imagined. After he marked her they were bound by an invisible bond, unbreakable and permanent. They slowly learned each other's moods, and even how to read the sublties in their movements their movements.

In other words: they almost always knew when the other was upset or angry.

Kagome shifted in his lap, hoping that she could stir him from his slumber without bothering Shippo. Even though they had reached a new level of understanding together, Inuyasha had reached a whole new level of possessiveness.

If she disappeared on him while he was sleeping, or if he caught her in the act of sneaking off, he threw a fit. That led to a bitter fight which ended with her yelling "sit". Sometimes that broke the tension, but usually it just raised it.

Kirara made a whistling sounds as she woke up and yawned. She stepped away from Sango, a skippy sort of motio, stretched her stiff muscles, then turned to Kagome. The small cat-demon stared at her with large, intelligent eyes that said only one thing: "Okay, I'm awake. Where's breakfast?"

Kagome smiled, stiffling a laugh. The cat-demon reminded her so much of her home five-hundred years in the future. Of her fat little house cat Buyo. That was the same look that he gave her every time he woke from a nap. "I'm up, feed me now" he said wit his eyes. Then she would go and get him something from the kitchen. Or someone else would. Buyo was a spoiled cat; she missed him.

I have to go home soon, she decided. It's nearly been a month, I think. Oh, Mom, Grandpa... I even miss you, Shota. And my friends, too. All of you.

She pressed herself against Inuyasha's warm body to ease the pain of her homesickness. His presence, his warmth, it never failed to calm her. Briefly she wondered why, then pushed the question aside. No use in picking apart what worked.

But looking into the small demon's eyes, her mind was set.

She slowly shrugged Inuyasha's arms from around her and crawled out of his lap. It was no easy task with Shippo in her arms. She was so clumsy that she was sure that one or the other would wake. Neither did, but that did not mean she could relaz.

Finally a safe distance from her mate she rose to her feel, craddling Shippo as if he were her baby.

"I'll be back after breakfast, Inuyasha," she said softly. She then carefully placed Shippo down with Sango and motioned for Kirara to follow her.

The demon chirped and hurried after the young priestess.

A little walk won't hurt. And we're the only ones up. But I should at least bring some food and my lighter.

Well, that's the first chapter. I hope that whoever has read it liked it.