Disclaimer: I STILL don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters/
That night Kagome could not fall asleep. Well she could but it was not a fitful sleep. Her eyes would close only to open momentarily. Thoughts were racing in her head. She had already visited home and brought the gifts and the letters that she would leave them. She had already practiced putting up barriers, and she knew the timing down of everything. She knew things between her and Inuyasha were changing and that just made everything more complicated. By the time morning had broken she was so restless she felt like she had to do something or she would explode. She needed the sensation of running the adrenaline you get and the rush. Silently she slipped out of her sleeping bag and grabbed her old school bag from. She was in Kaedes hut with the rest of the group except for Inuyasha who of course was sleeping in his favorite tree. She changed into a pair of shorts, tank top, and tennis shoes. She also grabbed her ipod shuffle and headed out the door. She knew a route around the forest. It would lead her up a hill then down then by the ravine and then back here. It was a nice 4 mile course. Careful not to wake Inuyasha she tiptoed past him and walked to the start of the make shift course. She started jogging and once she was a bit away from camp she turned on the ipod and got lost in the music the only thing that mattered were that and her breathing. Every nerve in her body relished at the feel of running again. After 3 miles she reached the hill. " This will really help" she thought to herself. She stopped at the base her body dripping in sweat. She looked up at this small hill and then with every ounce of energy she had she sprinted up it. At the top there was a tree overlooking the ravine. A beautiful sight but she didn't stop to admire it. The second she reached the top she sprinted back down. Up and down she went until finally her lungs felt like they would burst and even then she pushed herself harder. By the 15th time she ran up that hill she was honestly not able to go more. As she reached the top she collapsed. Crying and trying to calm her racing heart. Everything that she had been trying to keep inside the pain of leaving the sadness of saying goodbye, and the felling of deception. All of it caught up with her and all she could do was hug her knees and cry.
Inuyasha watched as the sky got lighter and lighter. He had awoken when Kagome had snuck off that morning. His leg shook uncontrollably with impatience. AS usual she had gone off on her own with out telling anyone, he had half a mind of running off to get her, but didn't want to seem worried about her. Usually when she went on these "runs" it took her about an hour. It was much later. After taking all he could he leapt off the tree and ran in the direction of Kagome's "track". He followed the path that she had showed him. He was at a tree over looking the hill when he saw Kagome running or her life down the hill. He was just about to go rescue her when he noticed that at the bottom she stopped and sprinted back up. He sat and watched her. After what seemed like forever he could tell that Kagome was pushing herself way beyond her limits. But why, he asked himself. "we have already defeated Naraku why would she need to be training" Suddenly the strong smell of salt revived him from this thoughts. He looked back up to the hill were Kagome was running. At the top of this mound sat Kagome looking absolutely defeated. She was trying very hard to get back her normal breathing but on top of being exhausted, she was crying hysterically. Finally after trying to stop the flow of tears for a few minutes, she just gave in and let them come. She hugged her knees and bawled into her legs. Inuyasha was thourghly shocked, and profoundly confused. He jumped off the tree branch and in 2 leaps was at the top of, standing over the crying girl. "oi Wench whats gotten into you" he asked. Kagome instantly froze up and slowly the tears stopped and she was silent. "I said.." started Inuyasha but he was interrupted. Kagome put on her best fake smile which unfortunately did not agree with the sadness and pain in her eye. "im Fine" she said in a fake chipper voice. The hanyou made a disbelieving face down at her. "Really," she said "Im just…" but the words would nt come to her. "Anyway" she added quickly "Im going to finish my run. see you back at camp" and with that she quickly dashed down the hill and with unbeatable quickness she ran off in the way of her "track". Inuyasha just stood there unsure of what to do. He could tell that Kagome's run was turning into not just a simple run.
When she finally arrived back at camp she was pouring sweat. It clinged all over her body, but she felt relieved and a lot better then earlier. Due to the fact that they were on leisure time, meaning they didn't have to go after Naraku at a moments notice, the group was waking up late and just relaxing. It was about midday as Kagome walked into Kaedes hut to discover Sango cooking lunch. "Smells good I am gonna go to a bath at the river and will be back later" she muttered to Sango. "I will go with you" offered Sango…….. Quite quickly the two women made their way to the river and took relaxing baths. They laughed, they joked, but Sango noticed that Kagome seemed a little off. I mean Kagome, was, just like a sister to her. She would know these things. Other then that they had a marvelous time relishing in each others company. They arrived back at camp just in time for lunch. Kaede was still away so it just the 4 adults and Shippo. Kirrar was also away. That day Kagome spent most of the day by herself. Sango and Miroku were spending more and more time together and she didn't want to interfere. Now they were free to get married. From her spot situated by the river she heard a loud slap, then a thud, followed by "pervert". Kagome could not help but laugh. "I don't think he will ever learn that's not the way to a women's heart" she murmured to herself. A voice from behind her spoke "oh ya, then what is" she turned around to see Inuyasha leaning against a tree trunk. She made an-but-not-really look at him "you have got to stop coming out of trees at bad moments," she scolded him "its quite unbecoming" HE gave a real laugh, which was a rare thing indeed, then walked over and plopped down next to her. "so how do u get to a woman's heart" he asked. Kagome looked thoughtful for a second. "well for starters, Miroku always tries to kiss her without reason. Which is not bad its just that a kiss should be romantic and breath taking" she said dreamily. Then remembering she had an audience she turned as pink as a cherry blossom in full bloom. Inuyasha gave her a smirk "oh ya!" he said "like this" and without warning he lowered himself to centimeters away from Kagome. "Inuyasha what are you..." but she never got to finish because that was her first real kiss (ok well at the castle that had not counted because she was trying to save him and it was an impulsive action). Gently the wind blew, sending cherry blossoms aloft. They floated from the trees and softly drifted down to settle or around the couple or float on the surface of the placid river. Kagome broke the kiss. "Just like that" said Kagome smiling up at him and they resumed with the kiss that said everything neither of them could say.
Later that day, as the stars began to make heir appearance over the slowly darkening sky a young girl and a hanyou sat in each others arms over looking the beautiful senary before them. "we should probably get back" Inuyasha murmured in her ear. Kagome looked up at him. She was glad it was dark or he would have seen the disappointment on her face. This would be one of the last days they would or could be like this. She shook her head. She knew but he didn't and that made it all the worse. She gently got up and reached out her hand for him to grab it. Jokingly he pulled her back down into his arms, he held her there giggling. After a few minutes they both got up and looked at each other. Suddenly Kagome snapped. The reason she was leaving was so that Inuyasha could be happy with his love, kikyou, and here she was acting all lovey dovey with him when he wasn't meant to be with her. She pulled out of his reach and turned away. "shoot!! um Inuyasha go on ahead, I um I will catch up with you in a sec" she said not daring to look back at him. She knew her drawing away hurt him and that he didn't know why, but she couldn't tell him. She just couldn't. "Kagome is everything ok" he asked slightly hurt. "ya, I just don't feel well I will just get some air and see you in a sec," and saying it clearly and deliberately she turned around and silently pleaded with him something she knew he wouldn't understand. "its not your fault." Still not fully understanding what she was saying, yet knowing she wasn't rejecting him Inuyasha turned away. "see you there" he called over his shoulders. Kagome watched him go and when he knew he was out of sight she slid down the truck of the tree behind her. "Damn it!!" she repeated over and over while lightly hitting her hands against her head. "ugghh" she cried out. "You all just love toying with me don't ya" she called out to the fates above. "me being happy is just to much to ask for isn't it" she laughed sadly to herself. "fine!" she said "I will play your little game, but this is my life and I will end it my way" And with that she got up and walked towards camp.
As she entered the clearing out front of Kaedes hut she saw her friends gathered around a small bound fire. Everything shimmered softly. Inuyasha's hair was as silver and fine as a spider's web, and Sango's beautiful face was only made more beautiful by the fire. She gave a big sigh and decided to throw all common sense out the window. She strutted right over to Inuyasha and sat RIGHT next to him. He didn't seem to mind and only pulled her in closer until she was practically on top of him. Miroku and Sango only smiled at the couple across form them as if they had known all along. "You smell of a sweet autumn cherry blossom" Inuyasha said burying his face in the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply. She closed her eyes ad tried to memorize her surroundings. Of course the best had come at the end. Tomorrow would be a busy day for her. As she snuggled into his embrace she felt him remove his hoari and place it around her. Sleep claimed her as se wished the moment now would never end.
