Episode 140

"He is me." Inuyasha stated as he stared off into the distance. He felt Kagome approach as he mentioned when he was a full demon he lost himself completely. Miroku smiled quietly and said that he should be happy to have Kagome who embraced him with kindness. Kagome smiled gently to herself. Her feelings for Inuyasha had grown but hearing him say that he would protect her during the battle with Hoshiyomi and afterwards feeling him hold her had truly touched her. However, the tender feelings changed after Shippo mentioned that the first kind she did was to tell him to sit and after that everyone ended up fighting.

They moved on after finishing bickering but they were quiet as they walked. Some of their feelings had been hurt but mostly they were absorbed by their own thoughts. Inuyasha noticed that Kagome was swaying and he slowed down and approached her.

"Here get on."

"No thanks!"

"Don't be stubborn and get on will you!"

Kagome went to come back with a scathing comeback but as she swayed and looked exhausted so Inuyasha picked her up bridal style and continued to run.

"Put me down!"

"Not a chance. You lost all of your strength and although your power came back, you still need to take it easy!"

Kagome didn't have a come back. She could feel her cheeks warm as she quieted. She could feel the strength of his arms as he held her like she weighed nothing and his speed didn't slow down as she remained in his arms. She glanced up at his face.

"What about you?"

"Keh! Don't worry about me! I'm fine. I'm stronger than you humans."

"Oh did you mean us pipsqueaks!" She said with anger present in her voice.

Inuyasha glanced down at her face but he continued to run holding her, a smug smile on his lips.

That night, the group sat around the campfire, each in their own thoughts.

"Miroku, Sango, how are you feeling?"

Miroku glanced up at Kagome, "I'm fine, but thank you for asking."

Sango just gave her a sad smile.

"Sango, want to go for a walk?"

It was an odd request by the other girl but Sango thought that some girl talk was needed and might be helpful.

"Sure"

As they went to walk away they heard Inuyasha's instructions "Don't walk too far away, you two."

Waving to show they heard him, they moved further into the foliage.

"You seem sad, Sango." Kagome said as they settled down in a clearing.

"Miroku admitted to being a lecher and even after he asked me to bear his children, he still flirts and asks this of other women. When we met with Madame Exorcist, I followed him around he was flirting with two women. Will it ever stop?"

Kagome was quiet as she thought about it. "Miroku flirts with them but has he ever followed through?"

"No because I stop him!"

"I wonder if he knew how much it bothered you, if he would stop."

Sango sighed as she thought about it. "I don't know, I don't think so."

"Sango, do you trust Miroku?"

Sango blinked "I don't know, Kagome."

Kagome moved until she sat next to the other girl. "At least your know his feelings." She said helpfully as she laid a hand on Sango's shoulder.

'He loves you." Sango said, glancing at the other girl.

"Who?" Kagome whispered, a blush on her cheeks.

"Inuyasha loves you and you love him." Kagome blinked at her and didn't argue. She was beginning to think that maybe it was true and he did love her.

"There's Kikyo, don't forget." Kagome sighed. Naraku killed Kikyo and she didn't think Inuyasha was over it or if he would ever get over it.

Sango was quiet for a few seconds before sighing. "Miroku admitted his love but he still flirts with others and Inuyasha still loves Kikyo and has yet to admit his feelings to you."

"We can't win, can we?" Kagome said with a smile to the woman who is truly her sister.

"I guess not."

After a while, Sango and Kagome returned to the campsite. Miroku and Inuyasha were in the middle of a discussion.

"You should tell her!"

"You're one to talk, you damn lecher! Are you ever going to stop asking women to…" he fell quiet as the two women approached. His cheeks turned pink as he thrust his arms into his Kimono with his normal Keh.

The two women glanced at each other, realizing that they were having the same conversation as the boys. Shippo and Kirara were already asleep on Inuyasha and Miroku. They were used to them talking loudly or yelling so they didn't wake up anymore. They could tell from their body language that they were calm.

Kagome smiled slightly as she went to get ready for bed. Moving behind a tree, she changed and glanced out into the night. Sighing she sat down with her arms around her knees and her head resting on her arms.

This stinks. I am sure that the reason why he doesn't tell me is because of Kikyo or maybe he doesn't feel that way about me. I love him so much but I have no true inkling of his feelings. I feel as though we are boyfriend and girlfriend but is it true or just what I wish would happen? My life stinks! Kagome thought to herself. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that the object of them approached her without her noticing.

"Kagome?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Is everything okay?"

She glanced up at his face and gave him a smile. "Of course, I'm just thinking." Inuyasha looked at her face, trying to figure out what she was thinking and if she really was okay. She seemed slightly on edge and irritated.

"Hey, you aren't feeling any effects from our battle with Hoshiyomi are you?"

"No, I'm alright"

"It's not like you to go away like this."
"Inuyasha…I'm okay!"

He sighed but instead of walking away from her, he sat down close to her. She blinked in surprised but he sat down close enough to be touching her, warming her with his body heat.

"I'm not good with talking about my feelings and…that kind of stuff." He started. He could see her head move quickly, her brown eyes were probably staring up at him but he couldn't face her. 'You should tell her!' was going through his head. He shook his head. Stupid Miroku. What does he know? Inuyasha thought to himself.

"I…will protect you, Kagome." He said glancing at her face. She sighed and gave him a slight smile.

"I know you will." She said.

Although nothing said, Inuyasha could tell that she was disappointed. She would never say anything. If nothing else, she probably thought that he was still in love with Kikyo.

Sighing, Kagome went to stand but was surprised by Inuyasha stopping her by putting a hand on her shoulder. Settling back down, she looked up at him.

"I…feel happy with you, Kagome. I…loo…care about you. I know you want me to live and with Kikyo gone..I'm starting to believe that I could. I promised Kikyo that I would go to hell with her because she died to follow me but…maybe instead I can have a future with you…if you would want it. Until Naraku is dead and Kikyo is avenged, I…can't promise you anything." He kept his red face turned to the side but he had his hand on her shoulder.

"I would want that very much." Kagome whispered staring up at his face. He turned and stared deeply into her beautiful brown eyes. He moved his hand to gently cup her face. She smiled slightly but her heart was beating quickly.

Is he going to kiss me?

Inuyasha reached down and gently pressed his lips to her. He figured that she would sit him but instead she draped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his. Inuyasha slightly deepened the kiss, but he didn't want to get too carried away. Now was not the time. There was one shard left and the fight with Naraku was escalating. He would not take Kagome until he could promise her something beyond tonight. It didn't stop him from kissing her though. Sitting back he looked at her face.

"Uhhh…come on lets go back to camp."

"Okay!" She said with smile as they headed back to camp, her heart lighter than it had been in awhile.