Chapter 4: Fun and Worry

"Is she ever going to wake up?" Shippo asked. Kagome had been asleep the whole time and it was already the next afternoon. "Just let her sleep." Inuyasha snapped. He didn't sleep at all the night before, he had to much to worry about, and he wanted to watch over Kagome. "What ya talking about?" They heard somebody say a bit groggily. Inuyasha turned around to see Kagome sitting up, blinking against the bright sunlight. "It's about time." said Inuyasha grumpily. "Thanks for caring." Kagome replied sarcastically. Inuyasha pulled Kagome to her feet. "C'mon, lets go." Inuyasha told her. "Oh give me a few seconds." Kagome moaned. "Leave her alone, Inuyasha." Miroku said as he and Sango came through the clearing. They had gone to find some water for their journey. Kagome smiled at them , noticing they were standing next to each other and surprisingly not fighting. Both of them looked at what Kagome was grinning about and quickly stepped away from each other. "Fine" Inuyasha sighed as he looked back down at her, "I'll give you a couple minutes." "Thanks" Kagome yawned as she laid back down. "I meant to get ready, not to go to sleep." Inuyasha snapped. Kagome huffed at Inuyasha as she got back up, "Maybe, you should get some sleep." Kagome retorted. Inuyasha walked away and sat down against a tree, mumbling under his breath. "I don't think Inuyasha got any sleep, either. He's really grumpy." Shippo whispered to Kagome. "Ow!" Shippo whined as Inuyasha threw a small pebble at him. "Inuyasha!" Kagome screeched. "Feh" Inuyasha turned his back away from her.

After fifteen more minutes than he had planned, the group was off. They had walked for a while and it was nearing noon, when a small demon tunneled up from the ground, "Give me the jewel…" it started to say before Sango threw her boomerang at it. Squelch! Kagome drew back when the slaughtered demon landed on the ground in a huddled mass. "Well, that was easy." Miroku commented. The group walked off again, but by nightfall, they still didn't have any word of Naraku's whereabouts. "What a waste of time." Inuyasha muttered as he plopped down on the hard ground. "Inuyasha, come help." Inuyasha reluctantly helped and they soon had a roaring fire. "Inuyasha, Sango and I are going to have a bath." Kagome announced and walked off with her friend. "God, today's been boring." Inuyasha complained once they were out of earshot. "Come on." Miroku hissed as he dragged Inuyasha along. Soon they could hear giggling and splashing, but could see anybody. Miroku stopped and picked up a small pebble, he also handed one to Inuyasha. "What's this for?" Inuyasha asked, confused. "We're going to have a little fun, teasing the girls." Miroku smiled slyly. Miroku flung his pebble with Inuyasha following and soon they heard two resounding splashes. They threw a couple more and then waited, snickering quietly. They soon heard two angry voices, "Perverts!" "Inuyasha!" "Miroku!" Miroku looked up to see a large rock soaring his way, "OW!" he complained when it hit him squarely in the forehead. "Sit!" Inuyasha collapsed to the ground, with a mouthful of dust. Inuyasha and Miroku quickly scrambled out of there and went back to the camp. "Where'd you guys go and how'd you get that big bruise on you forehead." Shippo questioned. "Um.. Hit a tree." Miroku stuttered.

After a little while of silence, Kagome and Sango both came back, looking highly pleased with themselves. "Where did you get that awful bruise from?" Sango asked as Kagome snickered behind her. "He hit a tree." Shippo supplied when Miroku didn't answer. Kagome and Sango burst out laughing. Inuyasha and Miroku both looked away in shame and were silent through the rest of the night. They all laid down after a while, but Kagome couldn't get to sleep. She finally fell asleep, but had a restless night. Tossing and turning continuously, she never fell, into a deep sleep.

"Kagome! Kagome, wake up!" Inuyasha was saying while shaking her. "No, don't touch me." Kagome muttered as she pushed him away forcefully. Inuyasha continued to try and wake Kagome up, while Sango, Miroku, and Shippo stared at he worriedly from behind. "Get away from me!" Kagome screamed and hit Inuyasha with all her might, right across his cheek, making him draw back in pain. Everybody else scooted back, keeping their distance from her. "Kagome." Inuyasha said, his voice laced with pure worry. "No. No" Kagome started to whimper, her fear radiating off her strongly. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's wrists so that she couldn't hit him again. "Wake up." Inuyasha started to shake her roughly and after a few minutes of whimpering and worrying, Kagome stopped struggling and calmed down a little. Her eyes started to slowly open. When she adjusted her eyes to the light, she saw everybody staring down at her intently, each wearing a look of worry. Kagome shuddered as she remembered her dream, but quickly looked back up at them, "What?" she asked. "We should ask you the same thing." Inuyasha grumpily replied. Behind him, Shippo and Miroku started snickering while Sango explained, "He's probably still miffed from when you hit him." she said while trying not to laugh herself. "Be quiet or I'll give Inuyasha something to laugh about." Kagome snapped, still being a bit tired. "We're sorry." Shippo bounded forward and leapt into Kagome's arms. "Feh" Inuyasha watched him, disbelieving. "Inuyasha, calm down a little." Kagome said soothingly, putting a comforting arm around his shoulder, "Now, are you okay?" she gently stroked his cheek where a bright, rd handprint was. "I'm fine." Inuyasha grumbled, "What happened to you." Everyone turned their attention on Kagome and looked at her questionably. "I just had a bad dream." she answered uneasily as she started to squirm under their intense gaze. "What happened?" Miroku asked. "Nothing. It was just a regular old dream." she said as she tried to sound casual, her voice rising in volume. "Okay. Okay." they all backed off, sensing her aura rapidly change to anger. "Let's get moving." Sango said, breaking the silence. Everybody agreed and started to pack things up.

While they were walking, Kagome stayed up in front. Hoping to avoid everyone's gaze. Kagome suddenly stooped after a while and turned around to face them, "Let's stop for some lunch." she said and walked off into a shady patch of grass. Kagome started pulling things out of her huge backpack and soon they had a enjoyable meal. "That was some good ramen you cooked, Kagome." Shippo commented when he was all done. "Thanks, Shippo." Kagome smiled at him, then looked over at Inuyasha. He had been silent the whole time and it was unnerving to Kagome, usually he was yelling things out or fighting with Shippo of who got what for their lunch. Kagome started to pack things up with the help of Sango and they were soon off again, back to hunting down the shards. Kagome was in front again, full of energy while Inuyasha was in back, deep in thought, occasionally looking around at his surroundings. Kagome was still walking up front when a great wolf-demon came barreling out towards her. "Kagome!" Inuyasha cried out as he looked up. Kagome crossed her hands out in front of her in defense, her eyes closed, preparing for the blow, but it never came. Suddenly, Kagome heard a yelp and opened her eyes to see that she had formed a light barrier surrounding. Kagome heard a few gasps behind her, but ignored them as she concentrated on the demon before her, now steadily getting up, it's anger going over the top. Kagome put her hands out, pointing directly at the irate demon in front of her. A ball of crackling energy formed and was shot out towards the demon. The demon fell to the ground before it disintegrated to ashes. Kagome turned to the rest of the group and smiled at their shock, "Are we ready to go." she asked brightly. "That was good." Sango finally managed to say. "Thanks." Kagome said proudly. Kagome then looked up at the setting sun, she sat down with the others and they soon had a roaring fire, preparing to eat.

After a little bit of talking, Shippo looked around, "Where's Inuyasha?" he asked. Kagome looked around, but she couldn't find him, either. Sango and Miroku looked up into the trees, but immediately looked back down. "He's probably just went for a walk." Sango said while Miroku nodded. Kagome looked up, curiously and saw soul collectors. Kagome's face suddenly fell, now looking depressed instead of her cheerful self. Kagome got up and walked away from everybody's worried expression, "I'm going to go for a walk." she called back to them. Kagome walked off into the trees, not caring where she went, deep in thought. She soon came to a pond, glistening in the moonlight and stopped, sitting down, leaning against the base of a weeping willow, barely seen with the low hanging branches blocking the view. Kagome let a few tears escape her tightly closed eyes, but quickly wiped them away. 'Liars don't deserve tears.' she told herself roughly. "He doesn't love me." Kagome whispered to herself quietly. Kagome had sat there for a little while, when she heard somebody whisper, "You know, you shouldn't be out here alone." Kagome looked up to see a tall figure with silver, billowing hair. His golden eyes, piercing through the darkness, sparkling with interest. Kagome gave a faint smile as she sat down next to him, "Hey, what are you doing here?" she asked quietly. Sesshomaru didn't answer, he had been wondering the same thing. Why was he wondering around, following her, like a love-sick human. He didn't know why he felt a strange sense of joy of the thought of her. Why that when she said she loved him that he seemed to want to give her the same affection. Kagome looked away to brush away her tears, but Sesshomaru grabbed hold of her chin softly, turning it so she faced him, "What's wrong?" he asked soothingly. "Nothing, I'm fine." she answered quickly. A little too quickly for Sesshomaru's believing. "The last time you looked like this, there was something wrong." he commented. Kagome remembered what happened last time clearly. "It was Inuyasha." Kagome whispered faintly, "Again." Sesshomaru felt rage towards his half-brother, even though she was a human, Sesshomaru always felt different with her. Now he knew what it was. It was love. The great Lord Sesshomaru loved a mere human. 'A beautiful one though.' his conscience added. 'And smart and brave and…' 'Okay, Okay. I get it.' Sesshomaru snapped. He then mentally groaned, he was yelling at himself. Suddenly, Sesshomaru felt something heavy lean against his shoulder, snuggling up to him. He had in such deep thought that he hadn't realized that Kagome had fallen asleep. Sesshomaru brushed a few strands of hair from her face and noticed that she had a couple tears streaming down her face and was whimpering in pain. He heard her mutter something and had to lean in to hear better. Even with his sensitive ears it was hard to hear, "Inuyasha, help me." she mumbled. Sesshomaru felt jealousy surge trough him like wild fire. So she still loved him, after all he had done to her. Sesshomaru just sat there in rage and jealousy when he heard something else. "Sesshou… Somebody help me." she pleaded. Sesshomaru just about smiled in joy when he heard her. She just about said his name in hope of a savior. Sesshomaru shook her gently, softly calling out to her. Kagome slowly opened her eyes to see Sesshomaru repeating her name. When he saw that she was awake, he stopped shaking her, "Do you want Inuyasha to come looking for you?" he bit put harshly. Kagome smiled at him as she remembered her dream.

Kagome was walking through the woods when a great demon landed before her. She then realized that she had forgotten her bow. Kagome tried to back away before the demon saw her, but was too late. The demon whipped around to face her, it's eyes glowing a fierce red. Kagome tried to look for an escape, but the demon quickly came up to her and pinned her to a tree by her throat, "Look's like I'll have a pretty meal." it said greedily. Kagome let a few tears slip as it's claws punctured her skin, blood quickly flowing out. "Inuyasha, help me." she coked out. Kagome knew he wasn't going to come and save her, though. Kagome could feel the tears build up, ready to come rushing out. "Sesshou… Somebody help me." she wondered where that came form, she knew Sesshomaru would never come and save her. Kagome closed her eyes, slowing conscience when she felt herself being dropped to the ground. She opened her eyes and looked up to see the demon laying on the ground, dead. As she looked up, she saw the moonlight shining down on the figure before her. To Kagome, it seemed as if he was glowing. Kagome closed her eyes in relief that Sesshomaru was there. She quickly opened her eyes when she felt somebody shaking her and looked up to see golden eyes looking at her softly.

Kagome's smile slowly disappeared as she realized that that would never happen. Sesshomaru then pulled her off her feet, so that nobody would worry. Kagome didn't move, though and after a few minutes, Sesshomaru looked back at her, "What?" he asked. Kagome looked confused, her eyes darting back and forth, "Um… I don't know my way back." she confessed. "I'll take you back." he offered and walked off. Kagome groaned at the thought of having to walk some more, making Sesshomaru look back at her questionably. Before she could move, he had figured it out and rushed back, picking her up by her waist and setting her on his back. Kagome was soon nuzzling up against Sesshomaru, reveling the warmth. Kagome remembered how far she had walked and decided to get some sleep.

After a while, Sesshomaru could feel Kagome's hot breath on the back of his neck as she slept on. Sesshomaru shivered whenever she breathed, but was careful not to drop her. He could sense her companions and stopped, not wanting to be seen. He picked Kagome up and playfully threw her up in the air. Kagome immediately woke up, but before she could scream, Sesshomaru had caught her and out a clawed hand over her mouth. Kagome jumped out of his arm and turned around to glared at him, "What was that for?" she demanded. "You sleep too much." he smirked when she huffed at him, but otherwise was silent. "You'd better hurry up or they'll come looking for you." he said softly. Kagome nodded and walked off, but looked back at him before he disappeared, "Will you meet me again?" she asked expectantly. Sesshomaru smiled at her, glad that she asked him that, "Meet me tomorrow night." he informed her. Kagome turned back around and walked off through the darkness of the trees. As soon as she left, Sesshomaru felt something inside him shatter. He felt lonely. Somehow, he felt as Kagome gave life to him. Suddenly, Inuyasha burst through the trees with a worried Kagome following behind, "What are you doing here? Answer me before I kill you!"