Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I profit from this work of fan fiction. =)

Chapter 4

The warm glow of the fire caressed Kagome's face as she climbed into her sleeping bag for the night. She glanced around at her companions and smiled weakly as she shifted around trying in vain to get more comfortable. Kagome normally didn't have much trouble falling asleep in the Feudal Era usually because of sheer exhaustion, but, as of late, nightmares had been making it more and more difficult to get a good night's sleep. Tonight her anxiety above all things kept her awake. After tossing and turning for several minutes Kagome finally stilled. With a frustrated sigh she rubbed her forehead and stared up into the large tree sheltering their campsite. Her eyes wandered aimlessly resting finally on Inuyasha's sleeping form. Kagome couldn't help but laugh to herself as she thought about how comfortable the Inu-hanyou looked nestled high in a branch. "I thought only cats climbed trees" she thought smiling. The image of a dog from her era perched nervously on a tree branch suddenly came to mind as she tried to suppress a giggle. She quickly yanked the sleeping bag over her head in an effort to contain the noise. She slowly pulled the sleeping bag from over her head and peered around nervously. Miroku and Sango were still sleeping "phew" she sighed quietly. She rolled back over onto her backside only to find a pair of golden eyes inches from her face and glaring at her curiously.

"Eeep" she squealed as Inuyasha quickly put his hand over her mouth to quiet the sound.

"Keep it down will ya!" Inuyasha whispered harshly and removed his hand from her mouth. Kagome nodded.

"Now, what's so funny?" he whispered clearly aggravated.

Kagome unzipped her sleeping bag and sat up. "Nothing" she whispered waving her hands back and forth in front of her.

"Hrrrrrrr" Inuyasha growled quietly.

"Shhhhhhhh" she said putting her pointer finger on her mouth.

"Come on" Inuyasha whispered. Wrapping his arms around her waist he leaped back into the tree onto the same branch she had seen him in only moments before.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screeched quietly

Inuyasha settled back in his spot back against the tree and dragged Kagome's back against his chest.

"We're too high, I'm going to fall" Kagome whined.

"Hush, I'm not gonna let you fall" he said as her wrapped his arms around her. Kagome fidgeted nervously as she felt the butterflies begin to flutter in her stomach.

"Inuyasha, how long are you going to keep me up here?" she asked worriedly.

"Til, you tell me what was so funny" he retorted.

"I told you nothing important, just a funny thought"

"So then share" Inuyasha demanded.

Kagome bit her lip nervously, wondering what she could get away with telling him. Inuyasha was sure to jump to conclusions and she couldn't think of another good excuse. Kagome was terrible at lying and Inuyasha could always see right through them. She settled on the comfortable alternative of picking a fight.

"No, my thoughts are just that….mine!" she bit back.

"All night"

"What?" Kagome questioned.

"You're staying up here, all night" Inuyasha answered.

"Inuyashaaaaa" Kagome threatened "I'll say it"

"Go ahead, you'll come with me" he smirked.

Kagome crossed her arms and sulked knowing he was right.

"Besides, I can't get any sleep with you down there squirming.

"I can't help that I'm restless" she griped defensively.

"This way I can keep you still" he smirked to himself"Now hush or I just might push you" he threatened teasingly.

"Will not" Kagome retorted under her breath. She felt him stir behind him as he removed his outer haori and draped it over her. Kagome smiled "why can't he always be like this" she thought sadly.

Inuyasha's arms tightened around her and she settled against his chest. It wasn't long until he recognized the slow steady breathing of Kagome sleeping. Inuyasha smiled and felt himself drifting off as well.

Kagome kneeling looked up at the battle raging all around her. She saw her companions fighting fiercely despite their injuries. Her head began to throb again and she raised her hands back up hoping to alleviate the pain. "Wind Scar!" the anger behind the voice was unmistakable and Kagome strained to look back up. Inuyasha's wind scar hit the demon head on, it stumbled back but the creature seemed barely phased.

"Half- Breed, if value your life and that of your friends you'll take this last chance to hand over the miko" the demon taunted evilly.

"Not a chance" Inuyasha shouted back stepping closer to Kagome. "I protect Kagome"

"So be it" the creature replied sweeping a huge naginata in front of him. "Jinsoku Kaze!" the demon yelled as his naginata emitted a small fast-moving whirlwind straight at Inuyasha. Inuyasha tried to move out of its path but the whirlwind was too fast for him. He screamed in pain as thousands of tiny blades spun in the windstorm around his body. He tried, even through the pain to get out of the cyclone.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed watching him as she tried to get up. "Inuyashaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Kagome screamed loudly. She suddenly felt an intense warmth in her hands. She looked down to see her miko power focused around her hands. The pink glowing light crackled through her fingers and she felt the warmth spread throughout her body. The feeling was overwhelming as the pain began to dull and Kagome was finally able to stand up.

Kagome violently jerked awake and clutched at the arms around her waist. "Kagome?" Inuyasha questioned worriedly "Nightmare again?" Kagome turned and nodded as the tears begin forming. Inuyasha tightened his hold on her as he leaned down nuzzle the side of her face. "It's okay" he whispered soothingly "I promise I won't let anything happen to you." Kagome nodded sadly "I'm more worried about what will happen to you" she thought to herself.

Jinsoku Kaze- roughly translated "swift wind"

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